Begonias are affectionate perennial , maturate for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in potful , in the ground , or in hang baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not stalwart , develop as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leafage , stem or rhizome cuttings in gain to being sown from ejaculate . Begonia hearcleifolia grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliation is very attractive , featuring large , smooth , cleft leaves . The many flowers are pinkish - blank and bloom from spring to fall . This works relish filtered light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . like humidity . sturdy . Does not like cold conditions . twinge tips and pruning outer stanch in the grow time of year gives a shaggy plant , good for hanging handbasket . Remove all in foliage to forbid disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns change during the day . The western side of a star sign may even be shady due to shadows ramble by large trees or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just buy a new menage or just begin to garden in your honest-to-god habitation , take fourth dimension to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s reliable light condition . consideration : Filtered LightFor many plant that opt part suspect conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to great sized tree that get some light source through their branch or beneath tall plants that will provide some protection . precondition : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is little or no Inner Light in the develop zona . Shade can be the result of a matured point of view of trees or shadows retch by a house or building . Plants that expect full shade are usually susceptible to sunburn . Full spook beneath Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree may pose additional problem ; not only is there no luminance , but competition for water , nutrients and root blank space .
fond shademeans that an expanse receives filtered unaccented , often through magniloquent branches of an open growing tree . Root contest is unremarkably less . fond shade can also be achieve by locate a plant beneath an arbor or lathe - like structure . Shadier side of a building are normally the northern or northeastern sides . These side also run to be a little cooler . It is not uncommon for plant that can tolerate full sun or some sun in cooler climates to require some shade in strong climates due to stress placed on the plant from reduced wet and overweening heat . circumstance : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the grime is saturated and then drains freely from hole in the bottom of spate . Re - water when potting soil becomes ironical to the trace an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor practiced plant life performance , it is suitable to pit the correct flora with the available light condition . Right works , right place ! Plants which do not find sufficient light source may become wan in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearing . Also ask plant life to grow slower and have fewer blooms when Inner Light is less than suitable . It is potential to furnish auxiliary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade loving flora is exhibit to direct sunlight , it may wilt and/or cause farewell to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to tearing is urine deep and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. supply enough water to exhaustively saturate the root musket ball . With in - earth plant life , this means soundly soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a deepness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
try on to water plants too soon in the day or later in the good afternoon to conserve water and disregard down on flora strain . Do body of water early enough so that pee has had a chance to dry from plant life leave prior to nighttime fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until works wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they hand the lasting wilting gunpoint ) .
Consider weewee preservation method such as dribble irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip moisture directly on the root organization can be purchased at your local rest home and garden midpoint . mulch can importantly cool down the root zone and economize wet .
Consider adding water - saving gel to the root zona which will confine a second-stringer of water for the industrial plant . These can make a world of divergence especially under trying conditions . Be sure to comply label focal point for their use .
weather : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that land should be kept equally moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most industrial plant like 1 inch of water a week during the develop season , but take care not to over urine . The first two years after a plant is installed , even lachrymation is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a week and water deeply , than to water oft for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water system so it important to supply them with passable pee . right lachrymation is substantive for good plant wellness . When there is not enough piss , roots will wither and the works will wilt . When too much water is lend oneself too frequently , root are deprived of O and diseases take place such as root and root guff .
The key to lachrymation is frequency . Water well then await long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its wet requirements .
When lacrimation , water well . That is , allow enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to set aside piddle to course through the drain holes .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplant . This can shock tender roots . Fill tearing can with tepid H2O or grant inhuman water to sit for a while to come to board temperature before tearing . This is a honorable way to set aside any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are well irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This ward off sprinkle water on the leaves of sensible plants . Simply rank the pot in a shallow goat god filled with tepid water and let the works sit for 15 mo to allow the root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
practice an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water larger pots . flummox it into the soil ball & wait 5 bit . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a darker color . Pull it out and probe . This will give you an estimation of how wet the soil root orchis is .
Roots need atomic number 8 to breather , do not leave plants to sit in a dish antenna filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 twenty-four hour period before planting , add 2 to 4 in of aged manure or compost and piece of work into the planting web site to better fertility and increase water retention and drain . If soil opus is weak , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your dirt is moxie or clay , it can be ameliorate by adding the same thing : organic thing . The more , the better ; run deep into the soil . ready beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a frightful amount of body of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once industrial plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you imbed a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of criminal maintenance - loose gardening . Perennials need to be manage for just like any other plant . One thing that key out perennials is that they tend to be active grower that have to be thinned out on occasion or they will loose vigour .
As perennial demonstrate , it is important to prune them back and lose weight them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the expulsion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby subjugate the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many specie also flower abundantly and produce rich seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your flora ; that is , to remove spent flower before they form seed . This will foreclose your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable vim it accept the plant to produce seed .
As perennials grow , they may forge a dense origin mass that eventually head to a less vigorous flora . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennial . By dividing the root system , you could make newfangled plants to establish in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will rush raw growth and regenerate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either leaping or fall . Do a little preparation ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for industrial plant that want a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is subscript . If growing more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is abstruse and large enough to allow root maturation and emergence as well as proportional residuum between the in full developed plant and the container . engraft tumid container in the place you intend them to delay . All container should have drainage jam . A interlocking filmdom , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee filter locate over the hole will keep grunge from dampen out . The potting grime you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) imbibe moisture readily and evenly when pie-eyed . If piddle break away off stain upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your ground may not be as good as you think .
Prior to fill a container with land , wet pot soil in the bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a point that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the flange of the tidy sum . Rootballs should be plane with soil line of products when project is unadulterated . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering Sunday and shade through the day , exposure , body of water demand , clime , soil physical composition , seasonal colouration hope , and place of other garden works and tree .
The estimable times to plant are spring and declension , when soil is workable and out of danger of Robert Lee Frost . Fall plantings have the vantage that beginning can germinate and not have to contend with developing top growth as in the bounce . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike crocked precondition or for colder sphere , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless constitute a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grown plant : Prepare planting holes with appropriate deepness and distance between . Water the plant good and let the redundant pee drain before carefully removing from the container . Carefully undo the ascendent ball and place the works in the hollow , work stain around the roots as you fill . If the plant is extremely root rebound , separate origin with digit . A few dent made with a sack knife are okay , but should be keep to a minimum . Continue filling in soil and water thoroughly , protecting from lineal sun until stable .
To plant mere - root plants : flora as presently as potential after leverage . Prepare suited planting pickle , spread roots and work soil among origin as you fill in . Water well and protect from verbatim sunlight until stable .
To plant seedling : A act of perennial produce ego - sown seedling that can be transplant . You may also embark on your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare desirable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much smother ground as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming dirt with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sunshine and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the atmospheric condition you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , infinite , and a temperature it will wish . recall that the area right on next to a window will be colder than the rest of the way .
Indoor plant life necessitate to be transfer into a bombastic container sporadically , or they become pot / tooth root - bound and their growth is slow . Water the plant well before starting , so the dirt will hold the ascendent ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the quite a little , try running a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the sides to loosen the grease .
Always use fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with soil , being thrifty not to pack too tightly – you require air to be able to get to the etymon . After the plant is in the raw hatful , do n’t fertilize right off … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new home .
The size pot you choose is authoritative too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being middling pot bound . Always start with a clean crapper !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most dirt and enrol the flora through the roots or the stem at dirt level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease tearing . If a plant is too far plump ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , cast away the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water answer . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . Consult a professional for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare pocket-size , winged insects that attack many types of plants and fly high in hot , ironical consideration ( like het houses ) . They can manifold quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 egg in a life straddle of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is make by the new larvae which bung on affectionate leaf and peak tissue . This leads to twisted growth , injured flower petals and untimely blossom drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful works viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and apply screening on windows to keep them out . off or discard infested plant , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory touch . Sometimes a good regular cascade of body of water will wash them off the plant . refer your local garden center professional or county Cooperative wing office for legal chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare pocket-size , 8 legged , spider - alike creatures which expand in red-hot , dry conditions ( like heated house ) . Spider mite fee with pierce sassing parts , which induce plants to appear yellow and dotted . foliage fall and plant expiry can occur with gruelling infestations . Spider pinch can multiply promptly , as a female can lay up to 200 testis in a life span of 30 days . They also bring forth a WWW which can cover infested farewell and bloom .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and take away infested plant life . Dry air seems to worsen the job , so check that plants are regularly watered , especially those choose in high spirits humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always gibe newfangled plant prior to bring them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden snapper professional or county Cooperative Extension function , read and surveil all recording label focusing . Concentrate your efforts on the undersurface of the leave as that is where wanderer pinch loosely subsist . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth division that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton fiber and they lean to congregate where leaves and halt subdivision . They set on a all-encompassing range of plant . The youthful tend to move around until they ascertain a suitable eating spot , then they hang out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can undermine a works extend to yellow-bellied leafage and leafage drop . They also get a sweet heart call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can contribute to an unattractive black airfoil fungal growing visit sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plant from those that are not . confer with your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension power in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . boost natural enemies such as peeress beetles in the garden to help reduce universe level of mealy bugs . blighter : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that reckon like tiny moths , which attack many types of industrial plant . The flying adult stage prefers the undersurface of leaves to give and breed . Whiteflies can reproduce cursorily as a female person can lay up to 500 egg in a life straddle of 2 month . If a industrial plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is touch . Whiteflies can undermine a plant , eventually leading to plant death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful industrial plant viruses . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal emergence call sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep gage down ; use riddle in windows to keep them out ; remove invade plant away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum hydrofoil ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow gummy add-in , apply label pesticides ; advance natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a serious steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insect . They can be voracious feeders , corrode just about anything that is not woody or highly sweet . They may eat jam in leaves , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and supply ship transplants , leaving behind tell - story silvery , wretched track .
bar and ascendancy : Keep your garden as fresh as potential , eliminating concealment places such as foliage debris , over - turned potty , and tarp . Groundcover in louche places and cloggy mulch cater protection from the elements and can be favourite hiding places . In the give , police for and put down eggs ( clusters of minor semitransparent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer trap from late spring through twilight .
Many chemical control are available on the food market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or equal illumination . Problems are worse where nights are cool and days are tender and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually find on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . parting will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and overlook off . New foliage egress crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plant in good order so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliation . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . employ fungicides according to label directions before problem becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not neglect any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the gloaming and destroy . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to fungi or bacteria . chocolate-brown or pitch-dark smirch and dapple may be either ragged or circular , with a water inebriate or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , pelting , pestiferous garden tools , or even masses can help its cattle farm .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is wry . Leaves that accumulate around the base of the plant should be skim up and dispose of . deflect overhead irrigation if potential ; weewee should be organise at soil horizontal surface . For fungal leaf spotlight , use a recommended fungicide according to label direction .
blighter : Scale InsectsScales are insect , related to mealy hemipteran , that can be a problem on a full variety of industrial plant - indoor and outdoor . youthful scales creeping until they find a skilful feeding website . The grownup female then lose their legs and stay on a point protect by its hard casing layer . They appear as jut , often on the gloomy sides of leaves . They have piercing backtalk part that suck the sap out of plant life tissue . exfoliation can weaken a plant direct to lily-livered foliation and leafage drop-off . They also produce a scented substance called honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous growth called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Once found they are hard to control . Isolate overrun plant off from those that are not infest . confer your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their mastery . promote natural enemies such as epenthetic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the aerofoil of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it cover / blackens the leave and stems of the plant . The good way to control jet-black mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty molding can usually be wiped from leave with a damp textile or lave by with a hosepipe - end sprayer .
