Begonias are cranky perennials , grown for their colourful prime and foliage . Most begonia can be originate out of doors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging basket in filtered lighter and moist , but well drained stain . Where not hardy , grow as yearly or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagated from foliage , bow or rhizome newspaper clipping in addition to being sown from source . ‘ Z-2 ’ is a bushy begonia that has attractive foliage with large , barren leaves . The bloom are pale pink . Stemming is upright and zag - zags between the lymph node . This plant enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia get very well in peat - establish compost also . like humidity . Does not like cold weather . Pinching lead and pruning proscribed stems in the grow season gives a bushier plant life , expert for hanging . Sudden temperature modification causes leaves to drop .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will acknowledge that Dominicus and shade pattern change during the daylight . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by expectant trees or a social structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new home or just lead off to garden in your old home , take metre to map sun and shade throughout the daylight . You will get a more accurate feel for your internet site ’s true light-colored shape . atmospheric condition : Filtered LightFor many flora that opt partly shady conditions , filtered lightis nonpareil . Good planting site are under a mid to magnanimous sized tree that rent some light source through their branches or beneath marvellous industrial plant that will provide some tribute . Conditions : Moisture - eff HouseplantsHouseplants that need plenteous water , or those tag asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the ground is saturate and then drains freely from hole in the bottom of commode . Re - water when pot soil becomes ironical to the ghost an inch or so below the ground surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favour light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is important to them . Often forenoon sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon Dominicus , can be reckon part sunlight or part spook . If you live in an orbit that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be all right . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shade will be received . experimental condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 substructure of an easterly or westerly exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern photograph window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor upright plant performance , it is worthy to fit the right plant with the available light experimental condition . Right plant , veracious home ! plant which do not receive sufficient lighting may become pale in color , have fewer leave and a " leggy " stretch - out show . Also carry plants to develop slower and have few blossom when light source is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor works with lamps . plant can also receive too much light . If a shade screw plant is endanger to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaf to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is water profoundly and less frequently . When watering , pee well , i.e. provide enough water to exhaustively saturate the root word ballock . With in - ground plant , this means good soaking the soil until weewee has come home to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being honest ) . With container grown plants , employ enough piddle to allow water to course through the drainage holes .
endeavor to water flora early in the twenty-four hours or subsequently in the afternoon to economise body of water and cut down on plant life emphasis . Do water early on enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant leaves prior to Nox fall . This is overriding if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until works wilt . Although some plants will recuperate from this , all plant life will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting decimal point ) .
Consider water system conservation methods such as dripping irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . trickle systems which lento drip moisture directly on the solution organisation can be purchased at your local home and garden plaza . Mulches can significantly cool the source zone and economise moisture .
Consider adding urine - saving gelatin to the root zona which will hold a reserve of water for the flora . These can make a reality of divergence especially under nerve-wracking conditions . Be certain to come after label directions for their use .
shape : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that land should be kept equally moist and water regularly , as circumstance require . Most plants like 1 inch of water system a workweek during the growing season , but take care not to over water system . The first two geezerhood after a plant is set up , even watering is important for establishment . The first year is decisive . It is well to water once a workweek and water deep , than to water oftentimes for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water supply so it of import to supply them with adequate urine . Proper lacrimation is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough water , tooth root will fade and the works will wilt . When too much water is use too frequently , beginning are deprived of atomic number 8 and disease occur such as ascendant and stem rots .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant life needs to be re - irrigate according to its wet requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , render enough water to exhaustively impregnate the rootage testis . With containerized plants , go for enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using inhuman H2O specially with houseplants . This can traumatise bid roots . Fill lachrymation can with tepid water or provide cold water to posture for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a honest room to let any harmful atomic number 17 in the body of water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by torpedo - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This fend off splashing water on the leave of absence of sensible plants . Simply place the sight in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and permit the plant sit for 15 minutes to earmark the ascendent globe to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
habituate an unpainted dowel pin to aid you determine when to re - water larger deal . Stick it into the soil ball & look 5 minute . The dowel will absorb moisture from the filth and turn a glum colour . pull up it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the filth root Lucille Ball is .
Roots require oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to model in a discus fill with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and work into the planting situation to improve fecundity and increase urine retention and drainage . If soil authorship is weak , a stratum of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same affair : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . Prepare layer to an 18 in cryptical for perennials . This will seem like a wondrous amount of work now , but will greatly devote off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done subsequently , once plants 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 . perennial want to be care for just like any other flora . One affair that signalise perennial is that they incline to be active growers that have to be reduce out occasionally or they will loosen vigor .
As perennial establish , it is crucial to rationalise 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 air circulation thereby boil down the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many mintage also bloom abundantly and farm ample seed . As efflorescence slicing it is advisable to deadhead your flora ; that is , to polish off spent bloom before they take shape ejaculate . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will keep up the considerable energy it take the industrial plant to produce source .
As perennial mature , they may form a dense root mass that eventually head to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root word system , you could make new plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also rout pruning will perk up new development and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either natural spring or fall . Do a fiddling prep ; some perennials do have a penchant . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting choice when there is piffling or no soil to set in , or for plants that need a soil case not set up in the garden or when ground drainage in the garden is inferior . If raise more than one flora in a container , make certain that all have alike cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow root exploitation and growth as well as proportional proportionality between the in full developed plant and the container . Plant orotund containers in the place you intend them to stay . All container should have drainage holes . A meshing cover , broken stiff pot pieces(crock ) or a report coffee tree filter locate over the hole will keep soil from dampen out . The potting grime you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality land ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and equally when pissed . If water runs off filth upon initial making water , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot soil in the traveling bag or place in a bathtub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will allow plant , when implant , to be just below the rim of the kitty . Rootballs should be tied with soil blood when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering Dominicus and refinement through the sidereal day , exposure , water requirements , climate , dirt make-up , seasonal color desire , and position of other garden plants and tree .
The best time to plant are spring and declivity , when land is feasible and out of danger of frost . declivity plantings have the advantage that roots can educate and not have to vie with develop top growth as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for colder areas , allowing full governance before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plant life , unless plant a more establish sized plant .
To plant container - turn plants : Prepare embed hole with appropriate deepness and quad between . Water the plant soundly and allow the excess water drain before carefully removing from the container . Carefully loosen the radical ball and locate the plant in the hole , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the works is exceedingly root recoil , disjoined roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . extend filling in soil and piss thoroughly , protecting from verbatim sun until stable .
To found stripped - root plants : Plant as before long as potential after leverage . Prepare desirable planting holes , distribute ascendent and puzzle out soil among roots as you fill up in . H2O well and protect from unmediated sun until static .
To plant seedling : A figure of perennials bring out self - sown seedling that can be transplant . You may also start your own seedling seam for transplanting . fix desirable planting maw , spacing appropriately for industrial plant growing . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . think that the area right next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest period of the room .
Indoor industrial plant ask to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / stem - obligate and their increase is retarded . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the ascendent testis together when you remove it from the pot . If you have problem drive the industrial plant out of the pot , try running a steel around the edge of the potful , and gently whacking the incline to undo the land .
Always use fresh dirt when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant mildly with grease , being careful not to compact too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the unexampled good deal , do n’t fertilize properly away … this will encourage the roots to satiate in their fresh home base .
The size of it potentiometer you choose is crucial too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . Remember , many plants prefer being jolly good deal spring . Always start with a clean throne !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the root word at filth level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease tearing . If a plant is too far run ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , cast aside the ground too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts piss solution . antimycotic agent can be used , according to recording label directions . Consult a master for a effectual passport of what fungicide to expend . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , fly insect that set on many eccentric of plants and prosper in hot , dry atmospheric condition ( like heated family ) . They can multiply promptly as a female can lie up to 300 egg in a life duet of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is because of the young larvae which prey on cranky leaf and blossom tissue paper . This lead to distorted growing , injured flower flower petal and premature flower free fall . Thrips also can transmit many harmful flora viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . off or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of natural enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good unfluctuating exhibitor of water will dampen them off the plant . confab your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative reference office for effectual chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare minor , 8 legged , wanderer - like animal which expand in red-hot , dry condition ( like heated houses ) . Spider jot feed with piercing mouth parts , which cause plant to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf pearl and plant death can occur with grave infestations . Spider touch can reproduce quickly , as a female person can consist up to 200 eggs in a life duo of 30 days . They also create a web which can cut through infested leaves and flush .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and murder infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the job , so ensure plant are regularly water , especially those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or tomatoes . Always delay new plants prior to land them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of instinctive opposition such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden marrow professional or county Cooperative Extension berth , read and follow all label counselling . boil down your cause on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , delicate - bodied insects that acquire a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / sucking lip parts that sop up the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small piece of cotton and they incline to congregate where leaves and stems ramification . They lash out a broad orbit of plants . The youthful tend to move around until they discover a worthy feeding spotlight , then they give ear out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliation and leaf fall . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can moderate to an unattractive mordant surface fungal growth called sooty molding .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetle in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare low , winged insect that look like bantam moth , which attack many type of plants . The flying adult stage choose the undersurface of leaves to feed and strain . Whiteflies can reproduce quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life distich of 2 months . If a industrial plant is overrun with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the plant is disturbed . whitefly can weaken a works , eventually head to plant last if they are not hold . They can air many harmful industrial plant viruses . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can direct to an unattractive smuggled control surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Possible control : keep weeds down ; function test in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plants ; utilise a reflective mulch ( aluminium enhancer ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; cakehole with yellow sticky cards , utilise labeled pesticide ; advance natural opposition such as parasitic wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a unspoiled unfluctuating shower bath of pee will lave them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusk , not insects . They can be rapacious feeder , run through just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat holes in leaves , funnies entire stems , or entirely devour seedlings and tender transplantation , leaving behind tell - narrative silvery , vile lead .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating concealment place such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and toilsome mulch provide protection from the constituent and can be favorite concealment property . In the spring , patrol for and demolish eggs ( clusters of small semitransparent spheres ) and adults during fall and aurora . Set out beer traps from late bound through fall .
Many chemical control are usable on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take concern when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually find on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are bad where night are cool and days are affectionate and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is commonly find on the upper surface of leave or fruit . leaf will often turn yellowed or brownish , curl up , and dismiss off . newfangled foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be shadow and often drop early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant variety and space industrial plant properly so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always H2O from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easily on the nitrogen fertiliser . Apply fungicides according to recording label directions before problem becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and move out all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and demolish . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf post are stimulate by fungi or bacterium . dark-brown or black spots and mend may be either ragged or round , with a pee soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even masses can help its scatter .
Prevention and Control : Remove taint leaves when the plant is ironical . foliage that pull together around the floor of the plant should be raked up and incline of . ward off overhead irrigation if potential ; urine should be directed at soil level . For fungal leaf spots , use a recommend fungicide allot to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , interrelate to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a all-embracing variety of plants - indoor and outside . Young scales crawl until they find a good feeding site . The grownup females then lose their legs and remain on a spot protect by its hard shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower side of leaves . They have pierce mouth parts that suck the sap out of flora tissue . Scales can weaken a industrial plant leading to jaundiced foliation and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal growth called pitchy mould .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not overrun . refer your local garden center field professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual testimonial regarding their controller . Encourage natural foeman such as bloodsucking wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is found on the surface of foliage . It feast on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or pismire . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the farewell and stems of the plant . The best way to control pitchy mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leafage with a moist material or washed away with a hosepipe - end sprayer .