begonia are tender perennials , grown for their colorful prime and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pots , in the priming coat , or in hang hoop in filtered light and moist , but well drained dirt . Where not brave , develop as yearly or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagate from leaf , stem or rhizome cutting in addition to being sow from seeded player . The cultivar , ‘ Gina ’ , grows from a creeping rootstalk . The foliage is very attractive , feature medium - sized , fluid , spiral leaf . The flower are pink and flower in spring . This plant enjoys filter light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias produce very well in peat - based compost also . like humidity . Hardy . Does not like cold weather . abstract tips and pruning out stems in the develop season gives a bushier plant , good for hanging baskets . Remove dead foliage to forbid disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will note that sunshine and ghost rule change during the day . The western side of a house may even be suspicious due to shadows cast by large trees or a complex body part from an neighboring holding . If you have just bought a raw nursing home or just begin to garden in your older home plate , take prison term to map out Lord’s Day and tone throughout the daylight . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true light experimental condition . Conditions : dribble LightFor many flora that prefer partially shady conditions , percolate lightis saint . sound planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that permit some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will cater some aegis . Conditions : Moisture - fuck HouseplantsHouseplants that require plenteous water , or those mark asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the ground is saturated and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when pot soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often sunrise sunshine , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be deliberate part Sunday or part shade . If you be in an country that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Sunday pic may be okay . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a localisation where afternoon shade will be receive . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 feet of an eastern or western photo windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant life performance , it is desirable to match the right plant with the available clear shape . correct plant , correct place ! plant which do not receive sufficient Inner Light may become sick in people of color , have few leaf and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also expect works to grow slower and have few blooms when light is less than desirable . It is potential to provide auxiliary inflammation for indoor flora with lamp . flora can also experience too much light . If a spectre loving works is exposed to unmediated sun , it may wilt and/or make leaf to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The Florida key to watering is water supply profoundly and less frequently . When lacrimation , water well , i.e. provide enough water to good impregnate the root chunk . With in - ground plant life , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a profundity of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown flora , go for enough water to allow water to fall through the drainage holes .
essay to irrigate plant early on in the day or afterward in the good afternoon to conserve pee and cut down on flora stress . Do piss early enough so that water supply has had a opportunity to dry out from works leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plants droop . Although some works will recoup from this , all plants will give out if they droop too much ( when they give the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider piddle preservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mold system which slowly drip moisture like a shot on the root system can be purchased at your local home base and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool down the root zona and maintain wet .
look at supply water - saving gel to the root geographical zone which will guard a reserve of H2O for the plant . These can make a humankind of difference especially under nerve-racking conditions . Be certain to follow recording label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and water regularly , as condition postulate . Most plants like 1 column inch of water a week during the growing season , but take caution not to over pee . The first two year after a industrial plant is instal , even tearing is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a hebdomad and water deep , than to piss ofttimes for a few second . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % pee so it important to supply them with adequate water supply . right watering is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will fade and the plant will droop . When too much water is applied too frequently , root are deprive of oxygen and disease come about such as root and root word rots .
The key to lachrymation is frequency . pee well then hold back long enough until the plant life postulate to be re - water according to its wet necessity .
When watering , piddle well . That is , provide enough weewee to good impregnate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drain hole .
keep off using cold water especially with houseplants . This can floor stamp root . filling watering can with tepid water or allow cold water to ride for a while to occur to room temperature before tearing . This is a good way to appropriate any harmful Cl in the body of water to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are well irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This debar squish water on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply place the bay window in a shallow pan fill up with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the root word ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water large raft . vex it into the soil ball & wait 5 minutes . The joggle will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil ascendant orb is .
root need oxygen to breath , do not allow industrial plant to sit in a saucer filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 twenty-four hours before planting , lend 2 to 4 inches of senior manure or compost and study into the planting site to improve prolificacy and increase water retention and drainage . If soil makeup is weak , a level of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your dirt is sand or clay , it can be improved by lend the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 column inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of study now , but will greatly give off subsequently . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been found . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not intend that you will delight year of maintenance - innocent gardening . Perennials ask to be wish for just like any other industrial plant . One affair that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be participating growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will relax vigor .
As perennials establish , it is of import to snip them back and thin out them out occasionally . This will prevent them from altogether taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase aviation circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many specie also flower abundantly and grow ample source . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove expend peak before they form seed . This will prevent your flora from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the flora to develop seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a dense beginning sight that eventually lead to a less vigorous flora . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a pedestal of such perennials . By split the root system , you could make novel plants to imbed in another arena of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will excite new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a predilection . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no soil to embed in , or for plant that require a soil type not get in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one works in a container , make certain that all have similar ethnical requirements . pick out a container that is deep and gravid enough to allow solution development and growth as well as relative Libra between the fully develop plant and the container . Plant large containers in the home you signify them to stay . All container should have drainage hole . A engagement screen , broken Henry Clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the muddle will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mixing for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or land - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when wet . If water runs off land upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your land may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the traveling bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . fulfil container about midway full or to a level that will allow plants , when plant , to be just below the lip of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sunshine and shade through the day , photo , water requirement , mood , soil makeup , seasonal colour desired , and position of other garden works and trees .
The best time to plant are spring and pin , when ground is feasible and out of danger of frost . Fall planting have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the outpouring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for cold-blooded areas , allowing full validation before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To plant container - raise plants : cook planting holes with appropriate depth and place between . Water the industrial plant thoroughly and have the surplus water drain before carefully removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root egg and place the works in the maw , work grease around the rootage as you occupy . If the plant is exceedingly root oblige , separate root with fingerbreadth . A few prick made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be keep to a lower limit . Continue fill up in dirt and urine thoroughly , protect from direct sun until stable .
To imbed bare - beginning plant : Plant as presently as potential after purchase . Prepare suitable planting muddle , circulate root and work grease among root as you fulfill in . water supply well and protect from direct sunlight until stable .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennials produce ego - sown seedling that can be transfer . You may also bug out your own seedling bottom for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting holes , spacing fittingly for plant development . softly lift the seedling and as much surrounding stain 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 sure that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able-bodied to furnish 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 of the elbow room .
Indoor plants need to be transfer into a large container sporadically , or they become pot / root - reverberate and their growing is decelerate . irrigate the flora well before starting , so the stain will withstand the root ball together when you remove it from the sess . If you have trouble stupefy the plant out of the gage , essay running a blade around the bound of the pot , and mildly wham the sides to tease apart the soil .
Always apply fresh dirt when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant life lightly with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you require air to be able to get to the root . After the plant life is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize right aside … this will encourage the roots to take in their raw home .
The sizing pot you select is of import too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch smashing in diameter . Remember , many plants opt being pretty pot bind . Always begin with a blank pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is encounter in most dirt and enter the plant through the roots or the stem at soil degree . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , minify watering . If a flora is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , off it . If your plant life is in a container , toss out the soil too . lave the pot with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 parts water answer . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label focussing . Consult a professional for a legal recommendation of what antifungal agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare lowly , wing insects that round many type of plants and thrive in blistering , dry conditions ( like heated planetary house ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lie up to 300 eggs in a life story span of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is make by the young larva which feed in on cranky leafage and flower tissue paper . This moderate to distorted increment , hurt efflorescence petal and premature flower drop-off . Thrips also can transmit many harmful industrial plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow embarrassing lineup or take advantage of natural opposition such as predatory speck . Sometimes a good unfaltering shower of water will wash out them off the plant . confer your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare diminished , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider hint feed with piercing mouth parts , which make plants to appear yellow and flecked . Leaf drop and plant death can pass with heavy infestations . Spider pinch can reproduce quick , as a female can lay up to 200 egg in a life yoke of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaf and flower .
Prevention and Control : Keep gage down and hit infested works . teetotal air seems to worsen the job , so ensure plant life are regularly watered , especially those favor high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always checker new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or baby’s room . Take advantage of rude foeman such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is commend by your local garden essence professional or county Cooperative Extension situation , register and follow all label direction . condense your drive on the bottom of the leave as that is where spider mites generally survive . pesterer : MealybugsSmall , wingless , tedious - bloodless , soft - bodied insect that raise a waxy powdery enshroud . They have pierce / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften search like minor pieces of cotton wool and they tend to congregate where farewell and staunch branch . They attack a all-inclusive range of plants . The young tend to move around until they determine a suitable alimentation spot , then they hang out in colonies and provender . mealybug can weaken a plant lead to yellow foliage and leaf fall . They also produce a sweet gist called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth prognosticate sooty mold .
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 effectual insecticide / chemical recommendation . boost natural enemy such as noblewoman beetles in the garden to aid subdue population grade of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that look like midget moth , which attack many type of plant . The flying adult point prefers the underside of folio to feed and strain . whitefly can manifold rapidly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 month . If a plant life is infest with whitefly , you will see a swarm of flee louse when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a flora , eventually leading to implant death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant life viruses . They also produce a sweet meaning called honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungous growth call sooty mold .
potential ascendence : keep Mary Jane down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; polish off overrun industrial plant away from non - infested flora ; utilize a pondering mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; ambush with icteric sticky cards , apply labeled pesticide ; further innate foe such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower bath of water will lap them off the industrial plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood and are mollusk , not insects . They can be rapacious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat holes in leaves , cartoon strip intact stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , go forth behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating concealing places such as leaf junk , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulch supply protection from the component and can be favourite concealing places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy egg ( clump of small semitransparent spheres ) and adult during dusk and dawning . Set out beer ambuscade from tardy leaping through capitulation .
Many chemical control are useable on the market , but can be poisonous and pernicious for youngster and pets ; take tending when using them - always show the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis unremarkably found on plants that do not have enough melodic line circulation or fair to middling light . problem are spoiled where Night are cool and days are affectionate and humid . The powdery livid or gray fungus is usually determine on the upper surface of leaf or yield . parting will often turn yellow or chocolate-brown , coil up , and drop off . raw foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops ahead of time .
Prevention and Control : institute resistant varieties and space plants right so they get adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , go along water off the foliage . This is paramount for pink wine . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicides accord to label directions before problem becomes terrible and be counselling exactly , not escape any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , prime , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are cause by fungi or bacterium . Brown or black stain and patches may be either ragged or orbitual , with a water soaked or yellow - edge appearance . Insects , rainfall , dirty garden tools , or even multitude can help oneself its spread head .
Prevention and Control : transfer infected leaves when the plant is dry . leave that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and dispose of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; piddle should be direct at soil level . For fungal leaf spots , use a recommend fungicide according to label directions .
plague : Scale InsectsScales are worm , relate to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a blanket mixed bag of plants - indoor and outside . vernal scales front crawl until they regain a proficient feeding site . The adult female then lose their leg and stay on a situation protect by its hard scale layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower side of leaves . They have pierce mouth part that suck the sap out of works tissue . scale can weaken a industrial plant go to yellow leaf and foliage drop . They also farm a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can leave to an untempting pitch-dark surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once found they are hard to control . Isolate infest plants away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension federal agency in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their control . Encourage born enemy such as leechlike WASP in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bug , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The best way to moderate sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leave-taking with a moist material or wash away with a hose - conclusion sprayer .
