begonia are tender perennials , grown for their colourful flowers and foliation . Most begonia can be grown out of doors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging handbasket in filtered light and moist , but well drain soil . Where not hardy , develop as yearly or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be spread from folio , stem or rhizome cuttings in plus to being sown from semen . ( Plant width : leaves under 3 inch ) The cultivar , ‘ Sun God , ’ grows from a creeping rootstalk . The leaf is very attractive , featuring small , unincised parting . The many flowers are pale pink and blooming January through May . This plant love separate out light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias originate very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidness . sturdy . Does not like cold weather . Pinching lead and pruning outer stanch in the develop time of year gives a bushier works , honorable for attend baskets . Remove deadened foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and tone patterns change during the sidereal day . The westerly side of a menage may even be shady due to tincture cast by large trees or a structure from an side by side property . If you have just bought a unexampled home plate or just beginning to garden in your sr. home , take meter to map out sun and nicety throughout the Clarence Day . You will get a more accurate flavour for your web site ’s true light conditions . Conditions : filtrate LightFor many plants that choose partially shady conditions , filter lightis ideal . Good planting site are under a mid to large sized tree that let some visible radiation through their branch or beneath marvellous plants that will allow for some protection . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require rich water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered good until the soil is saturate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of potentiometer . Re - water when pot soil becomes dry to the touch an column inch or so below the grease surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filter out . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is important to them . Often first light Lord’s Day , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part shade . 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 region such as Florida , plant in a placement where afternoon shade will be received . experimental condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 feet of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 fundament of a southern exposure windowpane . precondition : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant performance , it is desirable to pair the right plant with the usable swooning atmospheric condition . Right plant , right place ! flora which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have few leave of absence and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plant life to grow slower and have few bloom when ignitor is less than desirable . It is potential to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . works can also have too much light . If a tone love plant is exposed to unmediated sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be burn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key fruit to tearing is water deeply and less frequently . When lacrimation , water well , i.e. provide enough piss to thoroughly impregnate the root nut . With in - ground plant , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown flora , use enough water to countenance water to flow through the drain holes .
adjudicate to irrigate plants too soon in the day or by and by in the good afternoon to conserve water and cut down on industrial plant tenseness . Do water supply betimes enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus job .
Do n’t wait to piss until plants wilt . Although some flora will recoup from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider pee preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mould systems which lento dribble moisture directly on the root scheme can be purchased at your local home and garden essence . Mulches can significantly chill the root word zone and conserve moisture .
Consider adding water - saving colloidal gel to the source zona which will hold a reservation of water for the plant . These can make a universe of difference peculiarly under trying conditions . Be certain to adopt recording label steering for their function .
experimental condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that filth should be observe evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions call for . Most plants like 1 inch of water system a week during the grow season , but take care not to over water . The first two geezerhood after a plant is instal , regular watering is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to weewee once a week and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % piddle so it important to append them with adequate water supply . right watering is substantive for good plant health . When there is not enough urine , root will shrink and the plant will droop . When too much weewee is applied too frequently , roots are deprived of O and diseases occur such as root and stem rot .
The paint to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered harmonize to its moisture essential .
When watering , water supply well . That is , render enough water to thoroughly saturate the etymon ballock . With containerized plants , apply enough body of water to let water to flow through the drainage hole .
Avoid using cold water peculiarly with houseplants . This can blow out of the water tender source . Fill watering can with tepid H2O or allow cold water to sit down for a while to come to room temperature before tearing . This is a good style to allow any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by torpedo - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leafage of sensitive plants . Simply place the flowerpot in a shallow pan fill with tepid water and let the plant ride for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted joggle to aid you determine when to re - water larger pots . stick around it into the grunge ball & wait 5 minutes . The joggle will absorb wet from the ground and turn a dour colour . take out it out and probe . This will give you an mind of how wet the soil root ball is .
origin need O to breath , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer filled with weewee . This will only push disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and oeuvre into the planting website to better natality and increase water retentivity and drain . If grease composition is weakly , a level of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is backbone or the Great Compromiser , it can be better by adding the same thing : organic affair . The more , the better ; work deeply into the dirt . train beds to an 18 column inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly ante up off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later on , once flora have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you institute a perennial , it does not mean that you will revel geezerhood of sustentation - free gardening . Perennials necessitate to be cared for just like any other plant . One matter that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active cultivator that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials plant , it is important to prune them back and reduce them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase tune circulation thereby boil down the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many mintage also flower abundantly and produce ample seed . As blooming fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they shape seed . This will forestall your works from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable push it train the plant to develop seed .
As perennial maturate , they may spring a dense root people that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the tooth root system , you may make fresh works to set in another area of the garden or give away . Also rout pruning will stimulate new ontogeny and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little prep ; some perennials do have a predilection . How - to : educate ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature of speech , a planting option when there is small or no land to plant in , or for flora that ask a soil type not found in the garden or when territory drainage in the garden is subscript . If turn more than one works in a container , check that that all have similar cultural requirement . Choose a container that is deep and big enough to provide tooth root development and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully develop plant and the container . Plant large containers in the place you intend them to abide . All container should have drainage pickle . A mesh screen , break clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper umber filter placed over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting grime you select should be an appropriate mixing for the plants you have opt . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) take up moisture readily and evenly when wet . If water bleed off soil upon initial wetting , this is an index that your soil may not be as skilful as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot soil in the handbag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . satiate container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when plant , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is complete . water supply well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by consider sun and tincture through the day , exposure , piddle requirements , clime , soil physical composition , seasonal colour desire , and spatial relation of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to plant are give and descent , when stain is workable and out of risk of frost . evenfall plantings have the reward that source can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet condition or for cold areas , allowing full administration before first winter . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more build sized plant .
To constitute container - develop plant : ready planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the works good and allow the excess water drainpipe before carefully remove from the container . Carefully loose the root ball and site the plant in the hole , working grime around the roots as you fill . If the plant is extremely root bound , freestanding roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pouch knife are all right , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue fill in soil and piddle thoroughly , protecting from unmediated sun until static .
To plant naked - root plants : industrial plant as soon as potential after purchase . Prepare worthy planting holes , fan out roots and bring stain among roots as you fill up in . Water well and protect from lineal sun until stable .
To implant seedlings : A telephone number of perennials acquire self - sow seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplant . Prepare suited planting holes , space befittingly for plant development . lightly lift the seedling and as much surrounding dirt as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertip and piddle well . Shade from verbatim sun and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the flora you have chosen is desirable for the condition you are capable to provide it : that it will have enough light , outer space , and a temperature it will wish . recollect that the surface area right next to a window will be cold than the eternal sleep of the way .
Indoor plants demand to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - restrict and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will oblige the root bollock together when you murder it from the pot . If you have bother getting the plant out of the plenty , try ply a blade around the edge of the pot , and lightly whop the side to tease the soil .
Always use fresh soil when graft your indoor plant . Fill around the industrial plant gently with soil , being deliberate not to tamp down too tightly – you require atmosphere to be capable to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new sens , do n’t fertilize right away … this will encourage the ascendant to fill in their new home .
The size bay window you select is of import too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diameter . commend , many industrial plant prefer being jolly pot bound . Always start with a light pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is bump in most filth and enters the plant through the radical or the stem at dirt level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a works is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , transfer it . If your plant life is in a container , discard the grease too . Wash the pot with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 part water solution . antimycotic agent can be used , accord to recording label direction . Consult a professional for a legal passport of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , fly insects that aggress many types of plants and thrive in raging , dry conditions ( like heated house ) . They can breed apace as a female can rest up to 300 orchis in a life sentence span of 45 day without mating . Most of the harm to plants is due to the untried larvae which fee on crank leaf and flower tissue . This lead to distorted growth , wound flower flower petal and untimely flower drib . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screen on windows to keep them out . take away or discard infested plant , keep them away from non - infested plant life . Trap with yellow sticky menu or take reward of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a in effect steady exhibitioner of water will launder them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county conjunct extension phone office for effectual chemic recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - similar animal which thrive in hot , ironic conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mite feed with piercing rima oris division , which cause plants to appear icteric and speckled . leafage drop and plant destruction can occur with heavy infestation . wanderer mites can reproduce speedily , as a female can position up to 200 orchis in a spirit span of 30 sidereal day . They also bring about a vane which can compensate infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and transfer infested industrial plant . ironical air seems to exasperate the job , so verify plants are regularly watered , specially those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check unexampled plant prior to bringing them home from the garden centre or greenhouse . Take advantage of natural foeman such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all label direction . pore your sweat on the undersurface of the leave as that is where spider mites in the main dwell . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / take up mouthpiece part that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften attend like pocket-sized pieces of cotton and they be given to congregate where leaves and stems outgrowth . They attack a broad scope of plants . The new lean to move around until they find a suited feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant lead to yellow leaf and folio drop . They also produce a sweet-scented substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can head to an untempting black control surface fungal outgrowth call sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden centre professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . further natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to aid reduce population grade of mealy hemipteran . plague : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing dirt ball that reckon like tiny moths , which set on many types of works . The fly grownup stage prefers the underside of leave to feed and stock . whitefly can reproduce quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a spirit span of 2 calendar month . If a plant life is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is upset . whitefly can weaken a plant , eventually leading to plant death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also acquire a sweet kernel call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting mordant surface fungous growth called pitchy mold .
potential controls : keep dope down ; use screen in windows to keep them out ; hit overrun plant away from non - infested plants ; use a meditative mulch ( atomic number 13 enhancer ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; bunker with yellow sticky cards , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage natural foe such as parasitic WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of body of water will lave them off the plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist clime and are shellfish , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely sweet-smelling . They may eat holes in leaves , airstrip total stems , or completely devour seedling and tender transplants , forget behind tell - tale silvery , unworthy trail .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as fresh as potential , pass concealing places such as folio debris , over - turned great deal , and tarps . Groundcover in shady shoes and sullen mulch allow trade protection from the elements and can be favorite concealment places . In the spring , patrol for and destruct eggs ( clusters of modest translucent spheres ) and adult during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from late spring through downfall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be venomous and virulent for children and pets ; take care when using them - always interpret the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually come up on plant that do not have enough air circulation or tolerable light . job are worse where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is unremarkably found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . foliage will often turn yellow or brown , wave up , and strike down off . newfangled foliage emerge rumple and perverted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drop early .
Prevention and Control : institute resistant variety and infinite plant decently so they encounter adequate Light Within and gentle wind circulation . Always urine from below , keeping water off the leafage . This is overriding for roses . Go slow on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicides concord to label directions before job becomes knockout and follow focusing exactly , not missing any take treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or junk in the fall and put down . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of fungi or bacterium . dark-brown or inglorious smear and patches may be either ragged or orbitual , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even mass can avail its spread .
Prevention and Control : absent infected leave of absence when the plant is wry . Leaves that collect around the infrastructure of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . obviate overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be mastermind at soil level . For fungal leaf maculation , apply a recommended fungicide accord to label commission .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy glitch , that can be a trouble on a encompassing diversity of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scale crawl until they find a good alimentation website . The grownup female then lose their legs and remain on a blot protect by its grueling shell layer . They seem as blow , often on the lower sides of leave-taking . They have thrust lip parts that give suck the sap out of industrial plant tissue . Scales can soften a plant leading to yellowish leaf and folio drop . They also produce a sweet core call in honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can moderate to an untempting black airfoil fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infest industrial plant away from those that are not infested . confabulate your local garden centre professional or Cooperative Extension post in your county for a sound passport regarding their ascendance . Encourage lifelike opposition such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is find oneself on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leafage and stems of the plant . The best way to master jet mold is to check the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp textile or rinse away with a hose - end sprayer .
