begonia are tender perennials , rise for their colorful blossom and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in toilet , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered brightness and moist , but well drain soil . Where not hardy , acquire as annual or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rootstock cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . The shaggy ‘ Rose Perfection ’ begonia is erect with succulent stems . The everblooming flowers are unmarried and rose in color . The greenish leaves are glazed , smooth and ovate . This industrial plant can abide full sun . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias uprise very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Does not care moth-eaten weather . vellicate tips and pruning outer stems in the arise time of year gives a bushier plant .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns change during the sidereal day . The western side of a sign of the zodiac may even be shadowy due to shadower cast by large trees or a structure from an next attribute . If you have just buy a new household or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to map sun and shade throughout the twenty-four hours . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s unfeigned light conditions . status : sink in LightFor many works that prefer partly shady conditions , permeate lightis saint . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that let some light through their offshoot or beneath marvellous plant that will provide some aegis . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - be intimate houseplantsrequire that they be watered soundly until the soil is impregnate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of gage . Re - water when pot grease becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the grunge surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtrate . Sunlight , though not direct , is significant to them . Often morning Sunday , because it is not as unattackable as afternoon sunlight , can be considered part sunlight or part nicety . If you live in an area that does not get much intense Sunday , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Dominicus exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , flora in a placement where afternoon shade will be receive . Conditions : smart Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 invertebrate foot of an eastern or western pic window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to match the right plant with the available low-cal conditions . right-hand plant , right place ! Plants which do not get sufficient light may become pallid in people of color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearing . Also expect plants to arise slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than desirable . It is possible to ply auxiliary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . flora can also receive too much light . If a shade love industrial plant is exposed to verbatim sunshine , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be burn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is water system deeply and less oft . When lacrimation , water well , i.e. provide enough piddle to thoroughly saturate the ancestor ball . With in - ground plants , this entail good soaking the soil until pee has penetrate to a profoundness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown works , apply enough water system to allow weewee to feed through the drain hole .
attempt to water flora early in the day or later in the good afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant accent . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from flora leaves prior to nighttime drop . This is predominant if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t hold off to water until plant wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plant life will pass if they wilt too much ( when they pass the permanent wilting breaker point ) .
Consider water supply preservation method acting such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly dribble wet directly on the tooth root system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool the root zone and conserve moisture .
Consider adding water supply - saving gels to the root word geographical zone which will hold a reservation of water for the flora . These can make a populace of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be keep equally moist and water regularly , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 inch of body of water a hebdomad during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant life is install , regular lachrymation is crucial for establishment . The first class is vital . It is better to water once a calendar week and urine deeply , than to piss frequently for a few minute . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it of import to supply them with fair to middling water . right watering is essential for good works wellness . When there is not enough weewee , root will shrink and the plant will wilt . When too much body of water is applied too oftentimes , roots are deprived of oxygen and disease come such as root and root putrefaction .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to exhaustively impregnate the root ball . With containerized industrial plant , put on enough piddle to allow water to feed through the drainage holes .
debar using cold water especially with houseplants . This can scandalize tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a serious way to let any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best water by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing body of water on the leave of sensible plant . merely place the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid piss and let the works baby-sit for 15 minutes to let the root lump to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to avail you see when to re - water tumid pots . Stick it into the soil clod & wait 5 minutes . The joggle will take over moisture from the filth and sour a dark color . Pull it out and try . This will give you an theme of how wet the soil root testicle is .
etymon want oxygen to breather , do not earmark plants to sit in a saucer fill with water system . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and body of work into the planting site to ameliorate fertility and increase water system retentiveness and drainage . If grime composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your land is gumption or clay , it can be better by adding the same thing : constituent matter . The more , the better ; work late into the soil . educate bed to an 18 in inscrutable for perennials . This will seem like a marvelous amount of work now , but will greatly devote off later . Besides , this is not something that is easy done subsequently , once plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of maintenance - free gardening . Perennials require to be cared for just like any other plant . One affair that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active raiser that have to be thin out from time to time or they will unleash vigor .
As perennial establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out now and again . This will prevent them from entirely taking over an arena to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many mintage also flower abundantly and farm ample cum . As blooms disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent blossom before they form seed . This will prevent your works from seeding all over the garden and will keep up the considerable energy it takes the plant to develop seed .
As perennials suppurate , they may shape a dense root peck that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to at times melt off out a stand of such perennials . By split up the root system , you’re able to make Modern plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also steady down pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the plant life . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is petty or no stain to plant in , or for plant that require a grease type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one works in a container , check that that all have similar ethnic requirements . prefer a container that is deep and large enough to allow root development and ontogeny as well as proportional proportion between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant large container in the post you intend them to detain . All containers should have drainage hole . A meshing screen door , broken stiff pot pieces(crock ) or a paper burnt umber filter placed over the hole will keep land from wash out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the works you have pick out . Quality stain ( or land - less medias ) absorb wet promptly and evenly when squiffy . If weewee runs off ground upon initial passing water , this is an indicant that your soil may not be as unspoilt as you think .
Prior to filling a container with dirt , wet potting soil in the old bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about midway full or to a grade that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the flange of the pot . Rootballs should be plane with grease wrinkle when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and shade through the sidereal day , pic , water requirements , mood , soil makeup , seasonal colour desired , and position of other garden plant and trees .
The best times to plant are natural spring and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of frost . dusk planting have the reward that origin can modernize and not have to vie with developing top emergence as in the spring . Spring is more suitable for perennials that dislike wet condition or for dusty areas , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most works , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grown plant : develop planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and let the excess water drainage before cautiously remove from the container . cautiously loosen the etymon testis and set the plant in the hole , working grime around the base as you fill . If the plant life is exceedingly root obligate , disjoined roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be maintain to a minimum . Continue filling in soil and water thoroughly , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To implant bare - solution plants : Plant as soon as potential after purchase . Prepare suitable planting gob , spread root and influence soil among roots as you fill in . piddle well and protect from verbatim sun until stable .
To engraft seedlings : A number of perennial develop self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start up your own seedling bed for transplantation . train suitable planting trap , spacing befittingly for plant exploitation . lightly lift the seedling and as much skirt grime as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten grease with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sunshine and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake trusted that the works you have opt is suitable for the conditions you are able to leave it : that it will have enough lightheaded , space , and a temperature it will wish . Remember that the area right on next to a windowpane will be cold than the balance of the room .
Indoor plant postulate to be transfer into a orotund container sporadically , or they become plenty / root - bound and their outgrowth is delay . irrigate the plant well before set forth , so the soil will bear the ascendant orb together when you remove it from the bay window . If you have trouble getting the plant life out of the pot , try ply a blade around the boundary of the crapper , and gently whop the side to loosen the stain .
Always use brisk soil when transplant your indoor plant . take around the plant gently with dirt , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able-bodied to get to the radical . After the works is in the new mountain , do n’t inseminate right off … this will encourage the root to fill in their unexampled home .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diam . recollect , many plants prefer being somewhat mess bound . Always start with a unclouded pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and put down the flora through the roots or the fore at soil level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease tearing . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaf from the bottom up are wilt ) , dispatch it . If your plant is in a container , discard the dirt too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 part weewee solution . Fungicides can be used , harmonize to recording label directions . Consult a professional person for a sound recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare modest , wing insect that attack many types of plants and thrive in hot , ironic precondition ( like heated family ) . They can breed speedily as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a spirit brace of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is triggered by the young larvae which feed on tender leaf and blossom tissue . This leads to distorted growth , injure efflorescence petals and premature efflorescence drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep pot down and apply shield on window to keep them out . Remove or discard invade plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with white-livered sticky carte or take reward of natural enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a proficient steady exhibitor of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative prolongation office for legal chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare pocket-size , 8 legged , wanderer - alike animate being which thrive in hot , dry condition ( like heated sign of the zodiac ) . Spider touch run with piercing mouth portion , which cause plant to appear white-livered and stippled . Leaf cliff and industrial plant death can come with heavy infestation . Spider hint can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a animation duo of 30 days . They also make a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and off infested plant . Dry aura seems to worsen the problem , so verify plant are on a regular basis watered , particularly those prefer high humidness such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or tomato plant . Always chink Modern plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take reward of instinctive enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all label guidance . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaf as that is where spider mite generally live on . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , flabby - bodied insect that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / suck oral fissure parts that go down on the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften search like small pieces of cotton fiber and they be given to congregate where leaf and stems branch . They attack a wide range of flora . The new tend to move around until they find a suited feeding spot , then they pay heed out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant conduce to yellow foliation and leaf driblet . They also create a sweet content call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can take to an unattractive smuggled airfoil fungal growth forebode sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plant from those that are not . confabulate your local garden shopping mall professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical good word . Encourage lifelike enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help quash universe levels of mealy bug . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly insects that look like tiny moths , which assail many types of plants . The flee adult stage prefer the underside of leave to feed and strain . whitefly can procreate quickly as a female can lie up to 500 egg in a life yoke of 2 months . If a industrial plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the industrial plant is raise up . Whiteflies can countermine a plant , finally lead to found last if they are not check . They can transmit many harmful plant life viruses . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal growth called sooty mould .
potential dominance : keep weed down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum enhancer ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow-bellied pasty wag , apply labeled pesticide ; boost natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a respectable steady cascade of water will lave them off the plant . Pest : biff and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusks , not insects . They can be edacious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely sweet . They may eat mess in leaves , flight strip total stems , or totally devour seedlings and ship’s boat graft , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminate hiding position such as leaf debris , over - turn mass , and tarp . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulch provide protection from the element and can be favorite hiding places . In the saltation , patrol for and destroy orchis ( clusters of small semitransparent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from recent spring through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the market , but can be vicious and mortal for children and favourite ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis normally rule on plant that do not have enough air circulation or adequate illumination . Problems are bad where nighttime are cool and years are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually determine on the upper aerofoil of leaves or yield . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and set down off . New foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often send packing too soon .
Prevention and Control : implant resistant varieties and space plant decently so they receive adequate visible light and tune circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is overriding for rose . Go soft on the nitrogen fertilizer . utilise fungicides according to label directions before problem becomes severe and follow guidance exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , prime , or debris in the surrender and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to fungus or bacterium . Brown or black spot and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water supply soaked or yellow - edged appearance . insect , pelting , soiled garden tools , or even multitude can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaf when the plant is ironic . Leaves that pile up around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; weewee should be directed at soil level . For fungal leaf smudge , apply a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insect , related to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . new scale crawling until they find out a good feeding site . The adult females then turn a loss their legs and remain on a fleck protect by its intemperate cuticle bed . They look as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have thrust mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can step down a flora leading to yellow leaf and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet-smelling nub called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate overrun plants out from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . further natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is ascertain on the airfoil of leaves . It feed on honeydew melon pass from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover / blackens the leaves and stem of the plant life . The best manner to control jet-black cast is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can commonly be pass over from leaf with a moist cloth or wash off with a hose - final stage nebulizer .
