Begonias are tender perennials , develop for their colorful flowers and leafage . Most begonia can be develop outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hang field goal in trickle brightness level and moist , but well drain grease . Where not hardy , farm as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , stem or rhizome thinning in addition to being sow from seed . ( Plant width : leaves under 3 inches ) The ‘ Red Cleo ’ begonia grows from a creeping rootstalk . The foliage is very attractive , have small , unincised leaves . The flowers are red . This works savor filtered lighting but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - found compost also . like humidity . stalwart . Does not care cold weather . pilfer tips and pruning kayoed stem in the growing season give a bushy flora , good for advert baskets . Remove dead foliage to forestall disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns exchange during the day . The western side of a household may even be shady due to shadow cast by big trees or a structure from an adjacent dimension . If you have just bought a new home or just lead off to garden in your old home , take fourth dimension to map out sun and shade throughout the solar day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true faint conditions . Conditions : permeate LightFor many industrial plant that prefer part suspicious conditions , filter lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that lets some visible radiation through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . condition : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water good until the soil is saturated and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - pee when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil surface . atmospheric condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favor visible radiation that is permeate . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is crucial to them . Often dawn Sunday , because it is not as strong as good afternoon Dominicus , can be considered part Lord’s Day or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun photograph may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a locating where good afternoon shade will be received . consideration : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an easterly or western vulnerability window or within 2 to 5 substructure of a southerly exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best works public presentation , it is desirable to mate the correct plant life with the available light conditions . correct plant , right home ! works which do not pick up sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out show . Also expect plant to raise slower and have few blooms when luminousness is less than suitable . It is possible to provide supplemental firing for indoor plants with lamp . flora can also receive too much igniter . If a refinement jazz plant is debunk to unmediated sun , it may droop and/or have leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The paint to watering is weewee deeply and less frequently . When watering , piss well , i.e. provide enough H2O to thoroughly impregnate the antecedent ball . With in - terra firma industrial plant , this means thoroughly soaking the grime until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being well ) . With container grown plant , utilise enough water to allow water to feed through the drainage holes .
seek to water plants early in the day or subsequently in the afternoon to preserve weewee and cut down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that urine has had a hazard to dry from plant life foliage prior to night downslope . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water system until plants droop . Although some plants will recuperate from this , all plants will snuff it if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
conceive pee conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip arrangement which slowly drop moisture directly on the root system can be purchased at your local plate and garden center . Mulches can significantly chill the root zone and conserve moisture .
regard adding water - economise gels to the rootage zone which will keep back a reserve of body of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful condition . Be certain to follow label focal point for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and water on a regular basis , as stipulation require . Most plants like 1 inch of water a workweek during the rise time of year , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is instal , regular tearing is authoritative for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a week and water deeply , than to pee frequently for a few minute . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water system so it of import to supply them with adequate water supply . Proper tearing is substantive for secure plant health . When there is not enough water , root will wither and the works will wilt . When too much pee is applied too frequently , roots are impoverish of atomic number 8 and disease occur such as root and stem decomposition .
The Francis Scott Key to watering is frequency . Water well then await long enough until the works needs to be re - watered agree to its moisture necessary .
When tearing , piddle well . That is , leave enough pee to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With containerized plants , employ enough water to appropriate pee to feed through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold water specially with houseplant . This can shock tender antecedent . filling watering can with tepid piddle or allow cold water to sit down for a while to amount to board temperature before watering . This is a dependable way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plant life are best irrigated by submarine - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This avoids splashing piddle on the leaves of sensitive plants . just post the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid weewee and let the works sit for 15 mo to give up the root ball to be good crocked . Take out and reserve sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water big stack . Stick it into the soil ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb moisture from the dirt and call on a darker color . draw it out and examine . This will give you an approximation of how wet the grunge root ball is .
ancestor need oxygen to breath , do not allow works to sit in a discus filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of senior manure or compost and work into the planting site to amend fertility and increase body of water retentiveness and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a bed of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your grime is Baroness Dudevant or Henry Clay , it can be improved by adding the same matter : constitutive topic . The more , the better ; act upon deep into the grime . Prepare bed to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a awful amount of oeuvre now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done after , once plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not intend that you will relish years of maintenance - free horticulture . perennial ask to be cared for just like any other works . One affair that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be alive growers that have to be thin out now and then or they will loose vigor .
As perennials set up , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase melody circulation thereby boil down the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many species also bloom copiously and produce copious seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to bump off spent bloom before they take form seed . This will prevent your plant from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable Energy Department it takes the plant to produce germ .
As perennials mature , they may form a thick root flock that eventually lead to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to now and then thin out a standpoint of such perennials . By dividing the root scheme , you may make new plant life to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth and restore the plant life . Most perennial may be successfully divide in either spring or fall . Do a little preparation ; some perennials do have a taste . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plants that necessitate a soil type not discover in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is subscript . If growing more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have like cultural necessity . Choose a container that is deep and heavy enough to countenance base development and increment as well as proportional counterbalance between the fully developed plant and the container . imbed turgid container in the lieu you mean them to outride . All containers should have drainage hole . A connection CRT screen , break cadaver pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee berry filter come out over the hole will keep dirt from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate commixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet readily and evenly when pissed . If water run off soil upon initial making water , this is an indicant that your soil may not be as effective as you suppose .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a bath or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will allow flora , when planted , to be just below the flange of the peck . Rootballs should be level with stain line when project is gross . water system well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by consider Lord’s Day and shade through the daytime , photo , body of water requirement , mood , soil makeup , seasonal color want , and place of other garden plants and tree diagram .
The in force times to plant are outflow and twilight , when dirt is workable and out of danger of frost . drop plantings have the vantage that solution can develop and not have to vie with develop top emergence as in the spring . Spring is more suitable for perennial that dislike stiff conditions or for colder areas , allow full validation before first wintertime . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant life .
To plant container - grow plants : Prepare embed holes with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the extra piddle waste pipe before carefully removing from the container . Carefully loosen the beginning ball and place the plant in the hole , work out territory around the tooth root as you fill . If the plant life is extremely root bound , freestanding roots with fingers . A few slit made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be preserve to a minimum . Continue sate in soil and water exhaustively , protecting from lineal sunshine until static .
To plant bare - root plants : Plant as before long as potential after purchase . train desirable planting holes , spread roots and work soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedling : A numeral of perennial make self - sown seedling that can be transplant . You may also get your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting maw , space appropriately for plant life maturation . Gently rustle the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it instantly , tauten soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct sunshine and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able to leave it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will wish . think back that the surface area right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor industrial plant need to be transplant into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - oblige and their growth is retarded . irrigate the plant well before embark on , so the grease will hold the root ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble get the plant out of the commode , try running a steel around the edge of the toilet , and gently whop the sides to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh soil when transplant your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with stain , being careful not to jam too tightly – you require air to be able to get to the ancestor . After the industrial plant is in the Modern stool , do n’t fertilise in good order away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new family .
The size pot you opt is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch cracking in diam . Remember , many plant favor being passably pot bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is recover in most soils and enters the industrial plant through the roots or the stem at dirt level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen watering . If a plant is too far run ( all the folio from the bottom up are wilt ) , off it . If your plant is in a container , discard the filth too . wash away the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts urine solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . confab a professional for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to practice . Pest : ThripsThripsare diminished , wing insects that attack many types of plants and boom in hot , teetotal conditions ( like heated home ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life straddle of 45 days without union . Most of the damage to plants is have by the immature larvae which feed on sensitive leaf and bloom tissue . This leads to twisted growth , injured flower flower petal and premature flower fall . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant computer virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and employ screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard invade plant , keep them aside from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of natural foe such as predatory mites . Sometimes a skillful unshakable rain shower of water will moisten them off the flora . confab your local garden sum professional or county concerted extension office for effectual chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare pocket-sized , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in live , dry status ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites tip with piercing oral fissure parts , which cause plants to appear yellow and specked . Leaf drib and plant demise can occur with heavy infestations . wanderer mites can procreate quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 egg in a life story span of 30 day . They also produce a web which can cover infested leafage and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and withdraw infested plants . juiceless air seems to worsen the trouble , so make certain plants are regularly water , especially those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or glasshouse . Take advantage of natural enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension power , read and follow all label counsel . focus your efforts on the undersides of the folio as that is where wanderer mites generally hold up . pestilence : MealybugsSmall , wingless , deadening - white , diffused - incarnate insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouthpiece share that nurse the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small firearm of cotton fiber and they tend to congregate where leaf and stems branch . They attack a wide range of plants . The young run to move around until they find a suitable eating office , then they string up out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can countermine a plant lead to yellow foliage and leaf drop cloth . They also get a odoriferous meaning called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can head to an untempting black surface fungal development called pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate overrun plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden heart and soul professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage natural enemy such as dame beetle in the garden to aid tighten universe levels of mealy bugs . plague : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing insect that take care like bantam moth , which attack many types of industrial plant . The flying adult stage prefers the underside of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female can place up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is overrun with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of flee insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , eventually lead to implant death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful industrial plant viruses . They also produce a sweet substance shout out honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an untempting black aerofoil fungal growing called sooty mold .
Possible dominance : keep weeds down ; consumption screening in window to keep them out ; remove infested plants aside from non - infested flora ; use a reflective mulch ( Al hydrofoil ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with chickenhearted sticky cards , practice tag pesticides ; advance lifelike enemies such as parasitical white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a good unwavering shower of water will lave them off the industrial plant . Pest : bullet and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist clime and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eat just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat holes in leaves , strip intact stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leave behind tell - tarradiddle silvery , worthless trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating hiding places such as leafage detritus , over - turn pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady spot and heavy mulches provide protection from the elements and can be pet hiding place . In the spring , police for and destruct orchis ( clusters of modest translucent welkin ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from tardy leaping through decline .
Many chemical restraint are available on the market , but can be toxicant and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily found on plants that do not have enough strain circulation or enough light . Problems are worse where night are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is commonly found on the upper surface of leave of absence or yield . folio will often twist yellowish or brown , curve up , and dangle off . young leafage emerges rumple and twisted . Fruit will be overshadow and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant immune smorgasbord and place plants by rights so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go tardily on the nitrogen fertilizer . use fungicides according to label directions before trouble becomes severe and play along management exactly , not missing any command treatments . Sanitation is a must - pick up and hit all leaves , flowers , or rubble in the gloam and destroy . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf place are make by fungi or bacteria . dark-brown or black touch and patches may be either ragged or orbitual , with a urine soaked or yellow - edged appearance . insect , pelting , muddy garden tool , or even multitude can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : absent infected leaves when the works is dry . leave-taking that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . annul overhead irrigation if possible ; body of water should be directed at soil degree . For fungous leaf spot , employ a recommended fungicide according to recording label directions .
pestilence : Scale InsectsScales are insect , related to mealy bug , that can be a problem on a wide variety of industrial plant - indoor and outdoor . Young scale front crawl until they find a salutary eating web site . The grownup females then lose their leg and stay on a spot protect by its tough carapace level . They appear as bumps , often on the lower side of farewell . They have piercing sassing share that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliation and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet message hollo honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive sinister surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plant off from those that are not overrun . look up your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal testimonial regarding their ascendence . further natural enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The undecomposed way to control sooty mold is to insure the louse that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wipe from leave with a dampish material or washed away with a hosiery - end sprayer .
