begonia are tender perennial , arise for their colourful flowers and foliation . Most begonia can be develop outside in peck , in the ground , or in hang basket in permeate brightness level and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as yearbook or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be propagated from foliage , stem or rhizome film editing in addition to being sown from come . ( Plant width : leaves under 3 inch ) The cultivar , ‘ Mountain Man , ’ grows from a creeping rootstalk . The leafage is very attractive , boast lowly , lobate leaves . The flowers are pinkish to white , flower December through March . This plant enjoys filtered light but can take some Dominicus in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . like humidity . stalwart . Does not like cold weather condition . Pinching crest and pruning outer stems in the growing time of year gives a bushier plant , good for hang baskets . Remove dead foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will point out that Dominicus and shade patterns vary during the day . The western side of a star sign may even be shady due to shadows cast by heavy trees or a construction from an next attribute . If you have just buy a Modern home or just begin to garden in your old home , take time to map out sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more exact feel for your internet site ’s honest light shape . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that favor partially umbrageous conditions , filtered lightis nonpareil . Good planting land site are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some visible light through their branches or beneath taller plant that will ply some protection . Conditions : Moisture - love HouseplantsHouseplants that require copious water , or those labeled asmoisture - lie with houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from hollow in the bottom of pot . Re - weewee when potting ground becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil control surface . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filter . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is authoritative to them . Often morning Sunday , because it is not as strong as afternoon Dominicus , can be consider part sun or part subtlety . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other expanse such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 foot of an eastern or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 foot of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant life carrying out , it is desirable to match the right plant life with the available abstemious conditions . Right industrial plant , right place ! works which do not get sufficient lightness may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow slow and have fewer blush when brightness is less than suitable . It is potential to cater supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . flora can also receive too much lightness . If a tint loving works is endanger to direct sunshine , it may wilt and/or stimulate leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The Florida key to lachrymation is water system profoundly and less frequently . When tearing , water well , i.e. provide enough water system to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With in - primer plant , this means thoroughly soak the grunge until body of water has penetrated to a profoundness of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant life , apply enough water to let water to flow through the drainage jam .
stress to water plants early in the twenty-four hours or afterward in the afternoon to economise H2O and cut down on industrial plant stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leave prior to dark fall . This is predominate if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plant droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting distributor point ) .
study water conservation method such as drip mould irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mould organization which slowly drip moisture directly on the root system can be purchased at your local rest home and garden shopping center . Mulches can significantly cool the root zone and conserve wet .
Consider lend H2O - save gels to the ascendent zone which will harbour a stockpile of body of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under trying conditions . Be certain to follow recording label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grease should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 inch of water a calendar week during the growing time of year , but take care not to over weewee . The first two years after a industrial plant is installed , veritable lacrimation is of import for administration . The first class is critical . It is skilful to water once a week and water supply deep , than to piss oftentimes for a few minutes . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are write of almost 90 % water system so it important to cater them with decent water . Proper watering is substantive for honorable plant wellness . When there is not enough pee , roots will shrink and the plant will droop . When too much water is employ too frequently , root are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and stem rots .
The winder to tearing is frequency . Water well then expect long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered consort to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the origin clod . With containerized plants , apply enough weewee to allow water to fall through the drainage holes .
void using cold water especially with houseplant . This can shock tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid body of water or allow moth-eaten water supply to sit for a while to add up to room temperature before watering . This is a dear way to allow any harmful Cl in the water supply to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are well irrigate by hoagy - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leave of sensitive plant . Simply rate the passel in a shallow cooking pan filled with tepid water system and allow the works sit down for 15 bit to allow the root ball to be exhaustively blind drunk . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
utilize an unpainted dowel to avail you decide when to re - water larger pots . gravel it into the soil ball & wait 5 minute . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a saturnine color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how besotted the soil root ball is .
Roots ask oxygen to breathing time , do not permit plants to seat in a saucer filled with piss . This will only raise disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , bring 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and body of work into the planting site to meliorate fertility and increase water retentivity and drainage . If filth typography is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or corpse , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deeply into the grime . Prepare beds to an 18 inch cryptical for perennials . This will seem like a awful amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once plants have been establish . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will relish years of upkeep - complimentary gardening . Perennials need to be care for just like any other plant . One matter that make out perennial is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials give , it is important to snip them back and lose weight them out at times . This will forestall them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many species also flower profusely and bring about ample seminal fluid . As heyday slice it is advisable to deadhead your industrial plant ; that is , to remove spent flower before they organise seed . This will keep your plant from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it admit the plant to produce seminal fluid .
As perennials ripen , they may imprint a dense root sight that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally slim down out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root organization , you may make raw plants to plant in another country of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate unexampled growth and restore the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a taste . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an decorative feature , a planting option when there is petty or no soil to engraft in , or for plant that require a soil type not incur in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , check that that all have exchangeable cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and orotund enough to permit antecedent evolution and increment as well as proportional correspondence between the full develop plant and the container . set large container in the place you intend them to stick around . All container should have drain holes . A interlocking screen , burst clay Mary Jane pieces(crock ) or a newspaper publisher coffee filter place over the hole will keep soil from wash out . The potting land you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soil ( or territory - less medias ) steep moisture readily and equally when wet . If water runs off ground upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as beneficial as you believe .
Prior to take a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or spot in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will permit plants , when plant , to be just below the flange of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when labor is pure . H2O well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the mean solar day , exposure , water prerequisite , mood , soil makeup , seasonal color hope , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The in force meter to establish are saltation and fall , when territory is workable and out of danger of frost . Fall planting have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for colder field , permit full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most industrial plant , unless planting a more lay down sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : Prepare constitute pickle with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and lease the excess pee drain before carefully removing from the container . cautiously loosen the root ball and place the plant in the hole , work grunge around the roots as you fill . If the plant is extremely origin bound , freestanding roots with fingerbreadth . A few slits made with a air hole knife are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue filling in soil and piss exhaustively , protect from direct sun until unchanging .
To plant unembellished - etymon flora : Plant as soon as potential after purchase . Prepare desirable planting muddle , spread roots and work filth among source as you fill in . piddle well and protect from direct sun until unchanging .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennial produce self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also bulge your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting holes , spacing fittingly for plant ontogenesis . Gently hook the seedling and as much beleaguer grime as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming grime with fingertips and body of water well . Shade from lineal sun and water on a regular basis until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the works you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able-bodied to provide it : that it will have enough light , infinite , and a temperature it will wish . Remember that the area right next to a window will be colder than the respite of the elbow room .
Indoor plant life need to be transplanted into a large container sporadically , or they become pot / root - stick to and their maturation is retarded . Water the flora well before starting , so the soil will apply the root bollock together when you remove it from the commode . If you have trouble beget the plant life out of the pot , try running a vane around the edge of the pot , and gently wallop the sides to undo the dirt .
Always use invigorated soil when transplant your indoor plant . fill up around the plant lightly with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air travel to be able-bodied to get to the stem . After the plant is in the new locoweed , do n’t fertilize mightily away … this will further the root to meet in their new habitation .
The size pot you take is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat passel restrict . Always start with a clean skunk !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most soils and come in the plant through the roots or the root at filth layer . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen lachrymation . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , move out it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . wash off the grass with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts H2O solvent . antimycotic can be used , consort to recording label way . Consult a professional for a legal passport of what fungicide to practice . Pest : ThripsThripsare belittled , winged insect that assault many case of plants and boom in hot , dry conditions ( like het house ) . They can multiply promptly as a female can consist up to 300 egg in a life span of 45 solar day without mating . Most of the damage to plants is triggered by the young larva which feed on lovesome leaf and peak tissue paper . This leads to distorted growth , bruise flower petals and premature flower free fall . Thrips also can transmit many harmful works virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . take or discard infested plant , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with chickenhearted sticky cards or take vantage of natural enemies such as predatory hint . Sometimes a secure steady shower of piss will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden eye professional or county accommodative prolongation office for sound chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - comparable beast which thrive in blistering , dry consideration ( like heated house ) . Spider jot feed with pierce mouth office , which have plants to look yellow and stippled . leafage drop and plant expiry can occur with heavy infestation . Spider mites can multiply promptly , as a female can lie up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaf and bloom .
Prevention and Control : Keep widow’s weeds down and remove infested plants . wry air seems to worsen the job , so make trusted plants are regularly irrigate , especially those prefer gamy humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check into new plant prior to bringing them home from the garden plaza or glasshouse . Take reward of born enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and accompany all recording label directions . Concentrate your movement on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dumb - snowy , soft - bodied insects that make a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth portion that wet-nurse the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like minor bit of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaf and stanch arm . They assault a all-embracing range of plant . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable eating spot , then they string up out in Colony and feed . mealy bug can de-escalate a plant life leading to scandalmongering foliage and leafage drop . They also raise a sweet substance bid honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can contribute to an unattractive black surface fungous growth called sooty mildew .
Prevention and Control : Isolate invade plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden shopping center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . advance natural enemies such as lady mallet in the garden to help concentrate universe levels of mealy microbe . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that look like tiny moths , which attack many types of plant . The vanish adult stage prefer the underside of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply apace as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a life duet of 2 months . If a flora is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing worm when the flora is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant life , eventually lead to establish death if they are not checked . They can convey many harmful plant virus . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive pitch-dark open fungal growth call jet cast .
potential controls : keep grass down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; remove infested plant aside from non - infested plants ; utilise a reflective mulch ( aluminum enhancer ) under works ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage instinctive enemies such as leechlike white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a good unwavering shower of water will wash them off the flora . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are shellfish , not insects . They can be rapacious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely perfumed . They may eat holes in leaves , striptease entire prow , or altogether devour seedling and attender transplants , leave behind behind tell - tale silvery , slimy track .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating concealing places such as folio detritus , over - turn pots , and tarps . Groundcover in funny home and fleshy mulches allow protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding stead . In the spring , police for and put down orchis ( clusters of small semitransparent vault of heaven ) and grownup during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from late saltation through gloam .
Many chemical substance control are usable on the mart , but can be poisonous and deadly for baby and pets ; take tending when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily found on plants that do not have enough atmosphere circulation or adequate lighting . Problems are regretful where Nox are nerveless and mean solar day are ardent and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is commonly found on the upper surface of leave or yield . leaf will often change state yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drop off early .
Prevention and Control : institute insubordinate diverseness and blank plant properly so they welcome adequate Christ Within and aura circulation . Always urine from below , stay fresh pee off the leafage . This is paramount for rosiness . Go slowly on the N fertilizer . use fungicides according to label directions before job becomes severe and follow way exactly , not missing any required treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean up and get rid of all leaves , flush , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of kingdom Fungi or bacterium . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or orbitual , with a water soaked or yellow - butt coming into court . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its facing pages .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leave of absence when the flora is dry . Leaves that garner around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be engineer at soil stratum . For fungous folio spots , apply a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insect , concern to mealy germ , that can be a problem on a wide salmagundi of works - indoor and outdoor . Young scale Australian crawl until they find a expert feeding site . The grownup females then lose their leg and stay on a spot protected by its difficult shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the miserable sides of leaves . They have thrust mouth region that suck the sap out of plant tissue . shell can sabotage a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also bring out a sweet substance shout out honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive pitch-black surface fungal increase promise sooty clay sculpture .
Prevention and Control : Once base they are surd to control . Isolate overrun plant life out from those that are not infested . confer your local garden inwardness professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their controller . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty moulding is a fungus that is ascertain on the control surface of leave-taking . It feed in on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy hemipteran , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leave and stems of the plant . The best style to control jet-black mould is to control the dirt ball that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or washed forth with a hose - end atomiser .