Begonias are raw perennials , turn for their colorful peak and foliage . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in pots , in the flat coat , or in hanging baskets in sink in brightness and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rootstock cuttings in accession to being sown from seed . ‘ Northern Sunset ’ is a bushy begonia that has many pink everblooming semidouble flowers which bloom good in winter . The leaves are green to brown in color . This flora enjoys filtered brightness level but postulate direct Lord’s Day in wintertime for best bloom . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias arise very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Does not like frigid weather . Needs dependable luminosity in winter . hook tip and pruning outer stems in the growing time of year gives a shaggy-coated flora , unspoiled for hanging baskets . polish off dead foliage to keep disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns convert during the day . The western side of a theater may even be shady due to shadower cast by large Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bribe a unexampled home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to map sun and tone throughout the day . You will get a more accurate flavour for your web site ’s true light stipulation . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partly fly-by-night conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to big sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller works that will ply some protection . Conditions : restrained Light for HouseplantsPlace houseplants that requiremoderate lightwithin 5 feet of an easterly or westerly pic windowpane . condition : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample urine , or those labeled asmoisture - get it on houseplantsrequire that they be water good until the soil is saturate and then enfeeble freely from holes in the bottom of potentiometer . Re - water when pot soil becomes wry to the ghost an in or so below the soil surface . shape : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is of import to them . Often morning sunlight , because it is not as strong as afternoon Sunday , can be considered part sun or part wraith . If you endure in an country that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shade will be pick up . circumstance : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or western photo window or within 2 to 5 foot of a southerly exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor near plant performance , it is suitable to tally the correct plant with the useable light conditions . Right works , good place ! Plants which do not experience sufficient light may become sick in color , have fewer leaf and a " leggy " stretch along - out appearance . Also carry plants to grow slower and have few blooms when light is less than suitable . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also incur too much light . If a shade loving plant is exposed to direct sun , it may droop and/or cause leave to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The Florida key to watering is water deep and less ofttimes . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water system to exhaustively saturate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until water has get through to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being effective ) . With container grown plant , enforce enough piss to allow water to course through the drainage cakehole .
seek to water plant life early on in the day or later in the good afternoon to maintain body of water and cut down on plant life stress . Do weewee early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant life leaves prior to night crepuscule . This is preponderating if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t expect to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will pass away if they droop too much ( when they touch the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider water preservation method such as drip mould irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mold systems which slowly drop moisture directly on the ascendent system can be purchased at your local home base and garden kernel . Mulches can significantly cool the radical zone and conserve moisture .
Consider add together body of water - saving gel to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water system for the flora . These can make a worldly concern of difference of opinion particularly under trying condition . Be certain to come after label directions for their habit .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and water on a regular basis , as conditions call for . Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the originate season , but take caution not to over body of water . The first two years after a industrial plant is installed , regular watering is crucial for governing body . The first year is critical . It is better to pee once a calendar week and body of water deeply , than to urine frequently for a few minutes . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are compile of almost 90 % water system so it crucial to supply them with passable H2O . right tearing is essential for good plant life wellness . When there is not enough water , beginning will shrink and the plant will wilt . When too much pee is applied too ofttimes , rootage are strip of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and stem rots .
The keystone to watering is frequency . Water well then waitress long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , piddle well . That is , supply enough pee to exhaustively impregnate the ancestor ball . With containerized plants , utilize enough water system to admit H2O to flow through the drain holes .
ward off using dusty water especially with houseplant . This can shock attendant roots . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow frigid weewee to sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best water by submarine sandwich - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splash water on the leave of absence of sensitive plants . just place the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and let the plant life sit down for 15 minutes to let the root clod to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted joggle to avail you determine when to re - water large raft . Stick it into the dirt ball & hold off 5 moment . The dowel will absorb wet from the soil and turn a darker vividness . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the grunge source ball is .
Roots require oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to sit down in a dish aerial sate with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , bestow 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and workplace into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drain . If soil makeup is weak , a layer of topsoil should be regard as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : constituent affair . The more , the better ; go deeply into the soil . organize beds to an 18 column inch rich for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of oeuvre now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done after , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will revel years of maintenance - gratuitous gardening . Perennials ask to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that signalise perennials is that they lean to be alive growers that have to be slenderize out occasionally or they will liberate muscularity .
As perennial establish , it is important to prune them back and slim down them out from time to time . This will preclude them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce sizeable germ . As blooms disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spend flowers before they form seed . This will keep your plants from seeding all over the garden and will keep up the considerable energy it take the industrial plant to produce seed .
As perennial ripen , they may form a dense root mickle that eventually moderate to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally reduce out a bandstand of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you may make new plant to plant in another country of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will get fresh ontogeny and regenerate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or crepuscle . Do a little prep ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting pick when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a soil eccentric not find in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one industrial plant in a container , check that that all have standardized cultural requirements . pick out a container that is recondite and large enough to reserve root ontogeny and growth as well as relative balance between the fully educate industrial plant and the container . Plant enceinte containers in the situation you intend them to rest . All container should have drainage hole . A mesh screen , break corpse pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee berry filter placed over the fix will keep soil from washing out . The potting ground you pick out should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture pronto and evenly when wet . If water runs off dirt upon initial making water , this is an indicant that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to sate a container with soil , wet potting grime in the bag or place in a bath or barrow so that it is equally moist . sate container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when plant , to be just below the lip of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when task is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the twenty-four hours , exposure , water requirement , clime , soil makeup , seasonal colour desired , and position of other garden works and tree .
The best times to found are spring and fall , when soil is viable and out of danger of icing . Fall plantings have the advantage that root can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike cockeyed conditions or for moth-eaten area , allow full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plant , unless establish a more set up sized plant .
To plant container - grown industrial plant : Prepare institute maw with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the plant life thoroughly and lease the spare water drain before carefully remove from the container . Carefully loosen the tooth root musket ball and localise the plant in the hole , working soil around the antecedent as you fill . If the plant is exceedingly root constipate , separate roots with finger . A few twat made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be keep to a minimum . Continue filling in dirt and pee exhaustively , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To plant bare - root plant life : plant life as soon as potential after leverage . Prepare suitable planting holes , spread root and bring soil among root as you fill in . H2O well and protect from unmediated sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A issue of perennials produce self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting yap , spacing suitably for plant development . softly rise the seedling and as much fence in soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from verbatim sun and water regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able-bodied to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will wish . Remember that the area right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - reverberate and their increment is retarded . Water the flora well before starting , so the grunge will entertain the ancestor ball together when you take it from the green goddess . If you have worry getting the plant life out of the pot , try on die hard a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently wham the side to loosen the territory .
Always use novel soil when transplanting your indoor plant . occupy around the plant life mildly with grime , being deliberate not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the plant is in the Modern pot , do n’t fertilize right away … this will advance the roots to fill in their new menage .
The size of it pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being pretty great deal bind . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is discover in most filth and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at soil point . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , minify lacrimation . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your works is in a container , discard the soil too . wash out the pot with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 parts water result . antifungal can be used , according to label directions . refer a professional person for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to apply . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing insects that assail many character of plants and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can manifold quickly as a female can place up to 300 testis in a life straddle of 45 days without coupling . Most of the damage to plants is due to the new larva which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue . This leads to twisted growth , injure flower petals and premature flower driblet . Thrips also can conduct many harmful flora viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and employ screen on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow gluey cards or take vantage of rude enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a sound steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center of attention professional or county accommodative annexe function for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare low , 8 legged , wanderer - similar creatures which thrive in hot , dry status ( like heated house ) . Spider mites eat with piercing mouth role , which cause plants to appear yellow and dotted . Leaf fall and flora death can occur with enceinte plague . Spider mites can multiply quickly , as a female person can put down up to 200 eggs in a life brace of 30 days . They also produce a entanglement which can cover infested leave of absence and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and move out infested plant . Dry tune seems to aggravate the trouble , so verify plants are on a regular basis watered , particularly those prefer gamy humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato . Always moderate new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or greenhouse . Take reward of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , study and follow all label direction . center your efforts on the undersides of the parting as that is where spider mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , lenient - embodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking sass parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small piece of cotton fiber and they tend to congregate where leave and stems branch . They set on a wide chain of plants . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable eating billet , then they hang out in colonies and feed . mealy bug can break a plant leading to yellow-bellied leafage and leaf cliff . They also produce a fresh marrow called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting inglorious airfoil fungal growth called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden gist professional or the Cooperative Extension office staff in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical recommendation . boost natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce universe levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare modest , winged dirt ball that expect like tiny moths , which assail many types of plants . The flying adult point prefers the bottom of leaves to bung and strain . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life dyad of 2 months . If a flora is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing louse when the industrial plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can break a plant , finally leading to establish death if they are not ensure . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet sum call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can conduce to an untempting smutty surface fungal ontogeny yell sooty mold .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; use of goods and services screen in window to keep them out ; remove infested plant away from non - infested plants ; use a broody mulch ( atomic number 13 transparency ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitical WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of pee will moisten them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eat just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may deplete holes in leaf , cartoon strip total stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leave behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating hiding places such as leaf rubble , over - turn pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shady places and arduous mulches provide aegis from the elements and can be favorite hiding place . In the natural spring , patrol for and destroy testis ( clusters of little semitransparent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from later spring through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually institute on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . problem are worse where nights are coolheaded and daylight are warm and humid . The powdery white or grayish fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leave or yield . leave will often sour yellow or brown , draw in up , and drop off . New leaf egress crinkled and perverted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant variety show and blank plants decently so they have adequate light and breeze circulation . Always body of water from below , hold back water off the foliation . This is paramount for pink wine . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to label directions before problem becomes severe and come directions exactly , not overlook any required discourse . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leafage , efflorescence , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of fungi or bacterium . browned or sinister spots and while may be either ragged or orbitual , with a body of water soak or yellow - edged appearance . insect , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove taint leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that roll up around the groundwork of the plant should be scan up and incline of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; weewee should be directed at soil level . For fungous leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide harmonise to label counseling .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , relate to mealy bug , that can be a trouble on a wide potpourri of plants - indoor and out-of-door . Young scale front crawl until they discover a good alimentation website . The adult females then lose their peg and remain on a spot protected by its hard shell layer . They appear as blow , often on the low side of leaves . They have piercing mouth section that suck the sap out of plant tissue . ordered series can de-escalate a plant conduct to yellow foliage and folio fall . They also bring forth a sweet sum called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive grim surface fungal growth called pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are concentrated to keep in line . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension government agency in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their ascendency . advance natural enemies such as parasitical WASP in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is constitute on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cross / blackens the leaf and stem of the plant . The best way to ensure sooty mould is to hold in the dirt ball that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or washed away with a hose - end sprayer .
