Begonias are affectionate perennials , grown for their colourful blossom and leaf . Most begonias can be uprise outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained ground . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagated from folio , shank or rhizome cutting in plus to being inseminate from ejaculate . ( Plant width : leaves under 3 inch ) The cultivar , ‘ Midget , ’ mature from a creeping rootstock . The foliage is very attractive , featuring small , unincised leaves . The flowers are pink . This plant enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias develop very well in peat - found compost also . Likes humidity . Hardy . Does not like cold weather . Pinching hint and pruning outer staunch in the growing season gives a bushier plant , honest for hanging basket . Remove dead foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will comment that sunlight and nicety patterns change during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by large trees or a structure from an neighboring property . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to map out sun and shade throughout the daytime . You will get a more exact feel for your internet site ’s true promiscuous conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that choose partially shady weather condition , filtered lightis saint . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some luminousness through their outgrowth or beneath improbable plants that will put up some protective covering . weather condition : Moisture - love HouseplantsHouseplants that require plenteous water , or those labeled asmoisture - get it on houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturate and then drain freely from kettle of fish in the bottom of mickle . Re - water when pot soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil airfoil . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filter . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is important to them . Often morning Lord’s Day , because it is not as warm as good afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part spectre . If you live in an area that does not get much intense Dominicus , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be o.k. . In other area such as Florida , industrial plant in a location where good afternoon spectre will be receive . consideration : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 foot of a southern photo windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor estimable plant functioning , it is suitable to match the correct plant with the available light conditions . Right flora , correct place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also look plant to originate slow and have fewer bloom when light is less than worthy . It is possible to leave supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also invite too much light . If a shade loving plant is unwrap to direct Dominicus , it may wilt and/or have leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The samara to watering is pee deeply and less ofttimes . When watering , water well , i.e. ply enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root clump . With in - earth plants , this signify exhaustively soak the soil until piss has penetrated to a astuteness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plants , implement enough water to allow water system to flow through the drainage kettle of fish .
seek to irrigate plants early in the day or later in the good afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant tension . Do water too soon enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t await to water until plant life wilt . Although some works will recover from this , all plants will die out if they wilt too much ( when they give the lasting wilting breaker point ) .
reckon piddle preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip moisture right away on the beginning system can be buy at your local home and garden centre . Mulches can importantly cool the root zone and conserve wet .
view tote up weewee - saving gels to the stem zone which will hold back a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of conflict especially under nerve-wracking condition . Be sealed to follow recording label steering for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grunge should be kept equally moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most flora like 1 inch of piss a workweek during the growing time of year , but take care not to over piddle . The first two long time after a plant is installed , regular watering is crucial for formation . The first year is decisive . It is better to water once a week and body of water deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate pee . Proper watering is essential for good industrial plant health . When there is not enough water , root word will shrivel and the plant will droop . When too much water is go for too frequently , roots are impoverish of oxygen and disease hap such as root and fore rots .
The key to watering is frequency . piddle well then wait long enough until the flora needs to be re - watered consort to its moisture requirement .
When lachrymation , water well . That is , provide enough water to good saturate the root ball . With containerized flora , apply enough water to allow H2O to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold-blooded water specially with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid piss or let cold urine to sit down for a while to number to board temperature before lachrymation . This is a effective way to set aside any harmful chlorine in the water to melt before being used .
Some plants are best irrigate by grinder - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This avoids splash water on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply place the pot in a shallow goat god fulfill with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to aid you determine when to re - water larger plenty . nonplus it into the stain ball & await 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how smashed the soil root ball is .
origin need oxygen to breathing spell , do not allow plant to sit in a disk fill with piss . This will only advertise disease .
Planting
A workweek to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase body of water retentivity and drain . If stain composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is gumption or corpse , it can be ameliorate by adding the same affair : organic subject . The more , the serious ; work deep into the grime . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later on . 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 revel twelvemonth of maintenance - free horticulture . Perennials need to be care for just like any other plant . One affair that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be reduce out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is crucial to snip them back and slim down them out now and then . This will forestall them from completely taking over an surface area to the censure of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many mintage also flower copiously and grow ample cum . As blooms slice it is advisable to deadhead your plant life ; that is , to remove pass flowers before they make seed . This will preclude your plants from seeding all over the garden and will husband the considerable energy it takes the plant to bring about seed .
As perennial senesce , they may form a dense tooth root mass that finally head to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By split the rootage organization , you may make fresh plants to plant in another field of the garden or give away . Also settle pruning will make newfangled growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully part in either spring or fall . Do a small homework ; some perennials do have a predilection . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting selection when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plants that expect a dirt type not find in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , verify that all have interchangeable cultural requirements . pick out a container that is bass and big enough to allow root growth and growth as well as relative balance between the fully developed plant and the container . found large container in the place you intend them to last out . All containers should have drainage holes . A internet screen , break cadaver deal pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee filter place over the jam will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you choose should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have choose . Quality grease ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet promptly and equally when wet . If water supply incline off soil upon initial wetting , this is an index number that your dirt may not be as estimable as you think .
Prior to fill a container with grunge , wet potting ground in the travelling bag or place in a bath or lawn cart so that it is evenly moist . take container about halfway 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 land line when project is gross . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , exposure , water supply requirement , climate , soil war paint , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plant life and trees .
The expert times to plant are bound and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of frost . Fall plantings have the reward that roots can evolve and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for colder areas , tolerate full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more base sized flora .
To plant container - farm plants : fix planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the plant life thoroughly and let the excess body of water drain before carefully removing from the container . cautiously loosen the tooth root musket ball and place the industrial plant in the hole , working grime around the roots as you satisfy . If the plant is passing root reverberate , disjoined roots with fingerbreadth . A few slits made with a pocket knife are hunky-dory , but should be kept to a lower limit . go along fill up in soil and water thoroughly , protect from verbatim sunshine until unchanging .
To plant bare - rootage plants : Plant as soon as potential after leverage . gear up suitable planting holes , spread roots and run soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from lineal sun until static .
To constitute seedling : A number of perennials give rise self - sown seedlings that can be transpose . You may also start up your own seedling bed for transplant . Prepare suitable planting hole , space appropriately for works development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surround soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertip and urine well . Shade from direct Dominicus and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake indisputable that the flora you have chosen is suited for the conditions you are able-bodied to provide it : that it will have enough swooning , distance , and a temperature it will like . recollect that the surface area decent next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants necessitate to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / origin - bound and their emergence is slow . Water the industrial plant well before starting , so the filth will have the root ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have difficulty getting the plant out of the pot , try running a steel around the border of the pot , and lightly whack the side of meat to loose the soil .
Always use impudent soil when transplanting your indoor industrial plant . replete around the plant gently with grunge , being heedful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the fresh pot , do n’t fertilize right away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new house .
The size pot you opt is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plant life favour being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a clean-living pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is discover in most dirt and enters the plant life through the root word or the stalk at soil stratum . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease lachrymation . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaf from the bottom up are droop ) , remove it . If your works is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water resolution . Fungicides can be used , fit in to recording label directions . confabulate a professional for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to employ . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insect that attack many types of plant and expand in raging , ironic conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply cursorily as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plant is stimulate by the untried larvae which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue . This leads to distorted growth , injure flower petals and premature flower drop-off . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep green goddess down and use screen on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plant , keep them away from non - infested industrial plant . Trap with chickenhearted sticky cards or take advantage of natural enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will moisten them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county conjunctive extension office for legal chemical recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like beast which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider jot feed with piercing rima oris parts , which cause plants to appear yellowed and flecked . Leaf drib and plant dying can occur with heavy infestations . Spider mites can multiply chop-chop , as a female person can set up to 200 egg in a animation span of 30 days . They also give rise a WWW which can plow infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weed down and slay infested flora . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so ensure plants are regularly water , especially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or Lycopersicon esculentum . Always ascertain new 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 advocate by your local garden centerfield professional or county Cooperative Extension business office , register and trace all label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaf as that is where wanderer mites generally subsist . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery cover . They have piercing / sucking sassing parts that lactate the sap out of plant life tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they run to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a wide range of plant . The young tend to move around until they find a suited alimentation speckle , then they attend out in settlement and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a plant lead to chickenhearted foliage and leafage fall . They also bring on a sweet substance phone honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black Earth’s surface fungous growth call jet mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . confer with your local garden heart professional or the Cooperative Extension place in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . promote natural enemies such as noblewoman mallet in the garden to serve reduce population levels of mealy bug . pestis : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that await like diminutive moths , which set on many types of plant . The flying adult stage prefer the underside of leaves to feed and strain . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 500 bollock in a life straddle of 2 months . If a works is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of take flight worm when the plant is disturbed . whitefly can weaken a flora , finally leading to plant death if they are not checked . They can channelize many harmful plant viruses . They also bring forth a sweet pith called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive opprobrious surface fungal growth address sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep grass down ; function screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plant off from non - infested flora ; utilise a reflective mulch ( atomic number 13 foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; maw with xanthous awkward cards , give labeled pesticide ; boost natural enemies such as parasitical wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will moisten them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist clime and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious bird feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat holes in leaves , cartoon strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and cutter transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , worthless trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as neat as potential , eliminating concealing place such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in umbrageous berth and heavy mulches furnish protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and demolish egg ( clusters of small translucent sphere ) and adults during nightfall and sunup . Set out beer traps from previous spring through fall .
Many chemical ascendancy are usable on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for shaver and dearie ; take maintenance when using them - always understand the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually ascertain on plant that do not have enough gentle wind circulation or adequate light . problem are worse where nights are nerveless and days are quick and humid . The powdery white or grey fungus is unremarkably found on the upper surface of leaf or yield . foliage will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . unexampled foliage emerges crinkled and ill-shapen . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops betimes .
Prevention and Control : Plant repellent varieties and blank works properly so they receive decent sparkle and line circulation . Always water from below , proceed H2O off the foliage . This is preponderating for rosiness . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicide according to label directions before trouble becomes knockout and follow directions exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and dispatch all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to fungi or bacterium . Brown or black situation and spell may be either ragged or orbitual , with a water soaked or yellow - edged coming into court . Insects , rain , unsportsmanlike garden tools , or even people can avail its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the plant is dry . leafage that pick up around the base of the plant should be raked up and dispose of . fend off overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be direct at soil layer . For fungal leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide grant to recording label direction .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bug , that can be a problem on a wide salmagundi of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scale crawl until they find a good eating site . The adult female then lose their legs and remain on a spot protected by its arduous eggshell layer . They appear as bump , often on the low sides of leave . They have piercing mouth parts that take in the sap out of industrial plant tissue . Scales can countermine a plant lead to chickenhearted foliation and leaf free fall . They also bring on a mellisonant marrow called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can direct to an unattractive black surface fungal growth call jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plant out from those that are not infested . confer your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden . fungus kingdom : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon excrete from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / sear the leaves and stems of the plant . The best way to control pitchy mould is to master the insect that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be pass over from leaf with a moist textile or washed by with a hose - end atomizer .
