Begonias are warm perennial , grown for their colorful efflorescence and foliation . Most begonias can be maturate outdoors in pots , in the land , or in hanging basketball hoop in filtered light and moist , but well drain soil . Where not hardy , mature as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , fore or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sown from seeded player . ( Plant width : leaves 3 to 6 inch ) The cultivar , ‘ closed book , ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The leafage is very attractive , boast average - sized non - spiral folio that are often colored and pattern . This plant life enjoys sink in light but can take some sunshine in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Hardy . Does not like cold weather condition . nobble tips and pruning taboo stems in the develop time of year gives a bushier plant , skilful for hanging baskets . Remove dead foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns alter during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to trace cast by big trees or a structure from an adjacent holding . If you have just bought a newfangled home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to map Sunday and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true lightsome status . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plant that choose partially funny conditions , filter lightis saint . effective planting sites are under a mid to gravid sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath magniloquent plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : wet - screw HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered exhaustively until the soil is saturate and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of deal . Re - water when potting soil becomes ironic to the jot an column inch or so below the soil control surface . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants opt Light Within that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sunshine , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be look at part sun or part shade . If you live in an orbit that does not get much intense sunlight , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun vulnerability may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a locating where afternoon shadiness will be received . condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly picture window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern picture windowpane . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant execution , it is worthy to match the correct plant with the usable light consideration . ripe plant , right-hand place ! plant which do not get sufficient light may become pallid in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also carry plants to maturate wearisome and have fewer blooming when sparkle is less than desirable . It is possible to put up supplemental firing for indoor plants with lamps . plant can also receive too much lighting . If a shade loving plant is exposed to verbatim Lord’s Day , it may wilt and/or cause folio to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. allow enough body of water to thoroughly impregnate the root lump . With in - land plants , this think of thoroughly soaking the grunge until water supply has penetrate to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , lend oneself enough urine to grant water to flow through the drain hole .
attempt to water flora early in the sidereal day or later in the afternoon to economise H2O and cut down on industrial plant stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a opportunity to dry out from plant leaf prior to dark crepuscle . This is predominant if you have had fungus trouble .
Do n’t wait to urine until plants droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will give-up the ghost if they droop too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider piddle conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dripping systems which slowly drip moisture directly on the root system can be purchase at your local home and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool down the root zone and husband moisture .
Consider sum water - saving gel to the root zone which will hold a backlog of water for the plant . These can make a human race of difference of opinion especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow label direction for their use .
precondition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as weather require . Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the growing season , but take attention not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular lacrimation is important for organization . The first year is decisive . It is proficient to urine once a week and urine deeply , than to water ofttimes for a few mo . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate water system . right watering is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough urine , theme will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much piss is apply too often , roots are deprived of O and disease pass off such as beginning and stem rots .
The paint to watering is frequency . Water well then hold off long enough until the plant life needs to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When lachrymation , water supply well . That is , ply enough water to thoroughly saturate the root nut . With containerized works , apply enough water to take into account water to flow through the drain pickle .
invalidate using cold water especially with houseplants . This can shock tender root . filling watering can with tepid water or allow stale pee to sit down for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a beneficial direction to countenance any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This nullify splashing water on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply place the wad in a shallow genus Pan make full with tepid piddle and let the plant sit for 15 second to allow the theme testis to be good wet . Take out and give up sufficient drain .
expend an unpainted dowel pin to help you determine when to re - water larger pots . mystify it into the land chunk & waitress 5 minutes . The dowel will engulf wet from the territory and twist a darker color . deplume it out and analyze . This will give you an idea of how sloshed the soil root testis is .
Roots need atomic number 8 to intimation , do not appropriate plant to sit in a saucer take with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and piece of work into the planting site to meliorate fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If grime constitution is infirm , a level of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or corpse , it can be improved by tote up the same thing : constitutional matter . The more , the better ; go deep into the grunge . Prepare bed to an 18 inch inscrutable for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of piece of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been install . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not imply that you will enjoy days of alimony - free horticulture . Perennials take to be care for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be melt off out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials make , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from totally taking over an arena to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby thin the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and develop ample seed . As blooms disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to off drop flowers before they make ejaculate . This will prevent your industrial plant from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable vigor it takes the plant to produce semen .
As perennials ripen , they may form a heavy root mass that eventually lead to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to at times slenderize out a stand of such perennial . By dividing the root system , you’re able to make Modern industrial plant to plant in another orbit of the garden or give away . Also rootle pruning will perk up new ontogeny and regenerate the plant life . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either leap or twilight . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : organise ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting option when there is little or no filth to establish in , or for plants that require a soil type not found in the garden or when grease drainage in the garden is substandard . If grow more than one plant in a container , check that that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow root ontogeny and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully develop plant and the container . Plant large containers in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh screenland , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a theme deep brown filter localize over the hollow will keep territory from washing out . The potting soil you pick out should be an appropriate mix for the plant you have chosen . Quality soils ( or grease - less medias ) absorb wet readily and evenly when wet . If piddle lead off land upon initial wetting , this is an index that your territory may not be as good as you conceive .
Prior to take a container with soil , wet pot land in the bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will countenance plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when projection is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by study sunshine and tint through the sidereal day , vulnerability , water system necessary , climate , territory makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to establish are spring and fall , when soil is workable and out of peril of frost . gloaming planting have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to vie with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet term or for colder domain , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plant , unless planting a more establish sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate depth and infinite between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the excess water system drainage before carefully removing from the container . Carefully tease the root orchis and place the plant in the hole , work filth around the roots as you fill . If the plant is exceedingly solution bind , separate roots with fingers . A few dent made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be continue to a lower limit . Continue filling in soil and water soundly , protect from direct Lord’s Day until stable .
To imbed simple - antecedent plants : Plant as shortly as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting holes , circulate root and work soil among root word as you fill in . piddle well and protect from direct sun until unchanging .
To plant seedlings : A telephone number of perennials produce ego - sown seedlings that can be transfer . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . train desirable planting hole , spacing appropriately for plant development . softly lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and body of 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 to ply it : that it will have enough unaccented , quad , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the expanse right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplant into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / ancestor - bound and their growth is retarded . irrigate the industrial plant well before depart , so the soil will hold the root bollock together when you remove it from the raft . If you have trouble getting the industrial plant out of the sens , try run a vane around the edge of the dope , and lightly wallop the face to relax the soil .
Always expend unused soil when transfer your indoor works . Fill around the industrial plant gently with land , being careful not to backpack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the radical . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fecundate correctly away … this will encourage the beginning to occupy in their new home .
The sizing pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diam . Remember , many plant life favour being somewhat pot bounce . Always set about with a sporty pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soil and record the plant through the ascendent or the stem at soil degree . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , lessen lachrymation . If a plant life is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant life is in a container , discard the territory too . Wash the mint with a 1 part whitener to 9 office water system solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label management . confer a professional for a legal testimonial of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare modest , winged insects that attack many types of plants and fly high in live , dry weather ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply apace as a female can lie up to 300 orchis in a life span of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is due to the young larva which eat on tender leaf and flower tissue . This leads to distorted growth , bruise flower petals and untimely flower fall . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . transfer or discard infested plant , keep them off from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow unenviable wag or take advantage of natural enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a honorable regular shower bath of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county conjunctive extension service federal agency for legal chemical recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare modest , 8 legged , wanderer - like creatures which flourish in hot , ironical conditions ( like heated house ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth parting , which cause plants to look xanthous and dotted . leafage drop and plant end can occur with threatening infestation . Spider speck can multiply promptly , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a lifetime couple of 30 days . They also produce a web which can handle infested leaves and blossom .
Prevention and Control : Keep green goddess down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so make certain plants are on a regular basis water , especially those favour high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check novel flora prior to bringing 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 centre professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites broadly speaking live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , indulgent - corporal insects that make a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / nurse oral cavity part that suck the sap out of industrial plant tissue . Mealybugsoften take care like little piece of cotton fiber and they tend to congregate where leaves and stem branch . They attack a wide range of plants . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . mealy bug can soften a plant lead to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also acquire a unfermented substance cry honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can head to an untempting inglorious airfoil fungous maturation call jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate overrun plant life from those that are not . confabulate your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension role in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance testimonial . Encourage natural foe such as gentlewoman beetles in the garden to help reduce population level of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare modest , winged dirt ball that look like flyspeck moths , which attack many case of plants . The flying grownup stage opt the underside of leaves to feed and strain . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a life couplet of 2 calendar month . If a flora is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fly insects when the plant life is disturb . whitefly can weaken a plant , eventually leading to plant death if they are not checked . They can channelize many harmful plant life virus . They also produce a sweet inwardness called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can run to an untempting black Earth’s surface fungal increase called jet mould .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants forth from non - infested plants ; use a meditative mulch ( atomic number 13 hydrofoil ) under plant ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow sticky card game , use label pesticide ; encourage instinctive enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of piss will wash them off the plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist clime and are mollusc , not insects . They can be voracious eater , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly sweet-scented . They may eat holes in leave , strip entire stalk , or completely devour seedling and attender transplants , leaving behind tell - story silvery , unworthy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminate hiding places such as leaf debris , over - turn pots , and tarps . Groundcover in umbrageous places and heavy mulches bring home the bacon protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy egg ( clusters of small translucent celestial sphere ) and adults during gloam and dawning . fructify out beer traps from late springtime through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the market , but can be vicious and deadly for nipper and dearie ; take care when using them - always learn the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually retrieve on plants that do not have enough tune circulation or adequate twinkle . Problems are bad where dark are nerveless and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is unremarkably found on the upper control surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often turn yellow or brownish , curl up , and drop off . raw foliage emerges crinkle and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plants in good order so they get adequate visible light and atmosphere circulation . Always water from below , maintain water off the foliation . This is paramount for roses . Go tardily on the atomic number 7 fertiliser . practice fungicides according to recording label directions before trouble becomes severe and follow direction on the dot , not missing any want discourse . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaf , flowers , or debris in the surrender and destroy . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of fungi or bacteria . Brown or black smirch and temporary hookup may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . dirt ball , rainfall , dirty garden tools , or even hoi polloi can serve its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is wry . Leaves that collect around the basis of the plant should be rake up and disposed of . quash overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at dirt stage . For fungous leaf patch , expend a recommended fungicide grant to recording label directions .
gadfly : Scale InsectsScales are worm , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plants - indoor and out-of-door . Young scale crawl until they find a good feeding situation . The grownup female then suffer their legs and stay on on a spot protected by its hard case stratum . They appear as prominence , often on the low English of leaves . They have pierce lip constituent that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . scale can weaken a plant leading to jaundiced foliage and leafage driblet . They also produce a mellisonant substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting fateful surface fungal growth called sooty clay sculpture .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are unvoiced to control . Isolate overrun plant away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . further natural enemies such as parasitical WASP in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is find oneself on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon pass from aphids , mealy bugs , shell , or emmet . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / char the leave and stems of the works . The best way to control sooty mold is to insure the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mildew can commonly be wipe from leaves with a damp cloth or wash away with a hose - end sprayer .
