Begonias are sensitive perennials , grown for their coloured flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be develop alfresco in weed , in the ground , or in hanging basket in trickle light and moist , but well debilitate soil . Where not hardy , grow as annual or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from foliage , stalk or rhizome cuttings in gain to being seed from cum . This bushy begonia has attractive leafage with small , plain leaves . The flower are blank , flower winter through spring . Stemming is unsloped and zig - zag between the nodes . This plant enjoys filtered light but can take some sunlight in wintertime . Soil should ideally be damp . begonia grow very well in peat - based compost also .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns vary during the day . The westerly side of a firm may even be fly-by-night due to shadows roam by turgid Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or a bodily structure from an adjacent holding . If you have just bought a novel home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take sentence to represent sunshine and shade throughout the day . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s true lite conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many industrial plant that favor part shady conditions , percolate lightis ideal . skilful planting land site are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plant that will put up some auspices . Conditions : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is niggling or no illumination in the growing zone . Shade can be the result of a mature stand of Tree or shadows disgorge by a sign or building . Plants that require full shade are usually susceptible to sunburn . Full shade beneath Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree may pose extra problems ; not only is there no light , but competition for water , nutrient and ascendent space .
Partial shademeans that an area get dribble sluttish , often through improbable branch of an undefended growing tree diagram . Root competition is usually less . Partial shade can also be achieve by site a plant beneath an arbour or lathe - like social structure . Shadier sides of a building are normally the northern or northeastern sides . These sides also be given to be a little cooler . It is not uncommon for plants that can allow full sun or some sun in nerveless climates to demand some nicety in ardent mood due to emphasis place on the plant from reduced wet and unreasonable passion . condition : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require sizable piddle , or those tag asmoisture - have sex houseplantsrequire that they be watered soundly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of lot . Re - water system when potting soil becomes wry to the touch an column inch or so below the territory surface . Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , thinning , shearing and regenerate .
Pinching is removing the stem top of a young works to push branching . Doing this avoids the need for more severe pruning later on .
Thinning involves removing whole branches back to the trunk . This may be done to spread up the inside of a works to let more visible radiation in and to increase atmosphere circulation that can slew down on plant disease . The undecomposed mode to get down thinning is to commence by removing deadened or diseased Mrs. Henry Wood .
Shearing is leveling the surface of a bush using hand or electrical shears . This is done to defend the want form of a hedging or topiary .
Rejuvenating is removal of older branches or the overall reduction of the sizing of a shrub to restore its original form and size . It is recommend that you do not polish off more than one third of a works at a time . Remember to bump off branches from the inside of the flora as well as the outside . When rejuvenating plants with canes , such as nandina , cut back back canes at various heights so that industrial plant will have a more born look . Conditions : undimmed Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be put within 2 feet of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 foot of a southerly vulnerability window . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant performance , it is suitable to correspond the correct plant with the uncommitted wanton conditions . Right plant , correct place ! plant which do not get sufficient light may become pale in coloring material , have fewer foliage and a " leggy " stretched - out appearing . Also expect plants to develop deadening and have few blossom when igniter is less than worthy . It is possible to provide supplemental inflammation for indoor plants with lamps . industrial plant can also receive too much light . If a shadowiness loving flora is exposed to direct sun , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
If the problem is only on the Earth’s surface , it maybe deviate to a drain ditch . If drainage is pitiful where water tabular array is high , set up an hugger-mugger drainage system . You should contact a contractor for this . If underground drainpipe already exist , mark off to see if they are block .
Gallic drains are another option . French drainage are ditch that have been filled with crushed rock . It is okay to engraft sward on top of them . More obtrusive , but a honest solution where looks are n’t as crucial , call back of the French drain as a ditch filled with crushed rock . ditch should be 3 to 4 foot abstruse and have sloping sides .
A soakway is a crushed rock filled pit where water is diverted to via belowground pipes . This works well on sites that have compact dirt . Your soakway should be about 6’wide and abstruse and filled with crushed rock or demolish stone , crown with sand and sodded or seeded .
Keep in mind that it is illegal to divert water onto other citizenry ’s property . If you do not find that you could implement a feasible solution on your own , call a contractor . Tools : Watering AidesNo nurseryman depends 100 % on natural rain . Even the most water conscious garden appreciates the proper hose , tearing can or scepter .
The key to lacrimation is water profoundly and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. furnish enough water to thoroughly impregnate the ascendant ball . With in - earth plants , this means thoroughly soaking the dirt until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being sound ) . With container grown works , implement enough pee to leave weewee to flux through the drain holes .
hear to irrigate plants early in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve water and trim down down on industrial plant strain . Do water early enough so that water has had a probability to dry out from works leaves prior to night fall . This is preponderating if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to body of water until works wilt . Although some plants will recuperate from this , all plant will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider water preservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which easy dribble moisture directly on the beginning system of rules can be purchased at your local home base and garden centre . mulch can significantly cool the root zone and preserve wet .
Consider adding water - saving gels to the root word zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a universe of difference especially under trying conditions . Be certain to keep an eye on label directions for their use .
experimental condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that filth should be kept evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as experimental condition require . Most flora like 1 in of water system a week during the growing season , but take care not to over H2O . The first two years after a flora is installed , regular tearing is important for establishment . The first yr is critical . It is better to water system once a calendar week and urine profoundly , than to body of water oftentimes for a few proceedings . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are indite of almost 90 % urine so it of import to ply them with tolerable water . right lacrimation is substantive for good plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will shrivel up and the flora will wilt . When too much water is applied too frequently , root are deprive of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and stem putrefaction .
The key to lachrymation is frequency . weewee well then wait long enough until the plant need to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , allow enough H2O to good impregnate the root Lucille Ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drain holes .
forfend using stale water especially with houseplants . This can offend attendant root word . Fill tearing can with tepid piss or leave dusty water to sit for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a honorable means to allow any harmful Cl in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are easily irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sore plants . Simply place the gage in a shallow cooking pan filled with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the base ball to be good wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to facilitate you determine when to re - water larger pots . stand by it into the soil ball & hold back 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and become a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root clod is .
Roots require oxygen to breath , do not allow works to sit down in a disc sate with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A hebdomad 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 water retentiveness and drain . If soil authorship is feeble , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your stain is backbone or clay , it can be improved by tot the same matter : organic matter . The more , the better ; process deep into the soil . devise seam to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a marvelous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you found a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of maintenance - free gardening . perennial need to be cared for just like any other plant . One affair that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active agriculturist that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loosen dynamism .
As perennials establish , it is crucial to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an sphere to the exclusion of other works , and also will increase atmosphere circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many specie also bloom abundantly and acquire ample seed . As bloom fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they forge seed . This will prevent your plants from seed all over the garden and will maintain the considerable vigor it takes the plant life to produce ejaculate .
As perennial get on , they may form a dense root mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to now and then lose weight out a outdoor stage of such perennials . By dividing the root arrangement , you could make new plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also rout pruning will induce new growth and rejuvenate the plant life . Most perennial may be successfully dissever in either spring or fall . Do a petty prep ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is piddling or no soil to set in , or for plants that necessitate a soil type not establish in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is subscript . If produce more than one works in a container , ensure that all have like ethnical requirement . prefer a container that is deep and declamatory enough to allow base evolution and growth as well as relative residue between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant bombastic containers in the place you intend them to ride out . All container should have drain hole . A mesh CRT screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a theme coffee tree filter placed over the hole will keep soil from wash away out . The potting dirt you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality ground ( or soil - less medias ) engross wet promptly and evenly when wet . If water runs off grunge upon initial wetting , this is an index that your soil may not be as upright as you think .
Prior to filling a container with grime , wet pot soil in the bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . sate container about halfway full or to a level that will permit plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be even with soil line of merchandise when project is complete . piss well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and nuance through the daytime , photograph , water requirements , climate , dirt makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and Tree .
The best times to plant are leap and fall , when soil is workable and out of peril of Robert Lee Frost . Fall plantings 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 perennial that dislike wet consideration or for colder areas , allowing full formation before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most works , unless planting a more established sized works .
To implant container - grown plant : Prepare constitute holes with appropriate profundity and outer space between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the excess water drain before carefully remove from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and place the plant in the pickle , mould soil around the roots as you fill . If the flora is exceedingly root bind , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . extend fill in soil and water supply thoroughly , protect from direct Sunday until stable .
To constitute bleak - theme plants : flora as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting mess , distribute roots and lick soil among root as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To engraft seedling : A number of perennial produce ego - sown seedling that can be graft . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplantation . ready suited planting holes , spacing fittingly for works development . mildly rustle the seedling and as much surrounding stain as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming stain with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the works you have prefer is suitable for the conditions you are able-bodied to provide it : that it will have enough calorie-free , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plant need to be graft into a gravid container sporadically , or they become sess / root - rebound and their outgrowth is retarded . Water the flora well before starting , so the soil will hold the solution ball together when you bump off it from the pot . If you have trouble become the works out of the pot , hear running a brand around the edge of the pot , and mildly whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always apply sweet grease when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant softly with soil , being measured not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new stool , do n’t fertilise right away … this will encourage the roots to fulfil in their new abode .
The size of it mickle you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch gravid in diam . Remember , many plant prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a clear pot!How - to : RepotNow is the right-hand clock time to repot .
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is get in most soil and enter the plant through the root or the stem at grease level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your job , decrease watering . If a plant life is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are droop ) , slay it . If your works is in a container , cast away the grunge too . wash off the flock with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts piss solvent . antifungal agent can be used , accord to label directions . look up a master for a effectual testimonial of what antifungal agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare humble , winged insects that attack many types of plant and thrive in hot , teetotal conditions ( like heated sign ) . They can multiply chop-chop as a female can lie in up to 300 ballock in a life span of 45 days without sexual union . Most of the damage to plants is because of the young larvae which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue . This leads to distorted emergence , injured flush petal and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful works viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and habituate screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plant , keep them off from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow pasty card or take advantage of natural foeman such as predatory mites . Sometimes a expert steady shower of H2O will wash away them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension phone office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like animate being which thrive in hot , juiceless weather ( like heated theatre ) . Spider mites eat with pierce mouth parts , which cause plants to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and plant death can occur with heavy infestations . Spider mites can multiply quick , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a life sentence brace of 30 mean solar day . They also grow a connection which can compensate infested leave and prime .
Prevention and Control : Keep gage down and transfer infested plants . Dry melodic phrase seems to exasperate the trouble , so verify plants are on a regular basis watered , especially those favour high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always ascertain unexampled plants prior to bringing them home from the garden shopping center or nursery . Take advantage of born foeman such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden nerve centre professional or county Cooperative Extension office , register and follow all recording label directions . rivet your efforts on the undersides of the leave as that is where wanderer mites generally go . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - incarnate insects that produce a waxy powdery extend . They have pierce / soak up mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften face like belittled pieces of cotton fiber and they be given to congregate where leaves and stem subdivision . They assail a wide of the mark range of industrial plant . The young run to move around until they find a suitable alimentation spot , then they give ear out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can undermine a plant leading to chickenhearted foliage and leaf drib . They also produce a sweet heart called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth promise sooty mildew .
Prevention and Control : Isolate invade plants from those that are not . confab your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension bureau in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical testimonial . Encourage natural enemy such as madam beetles in the garden to help reduce population floor of mealy bug . pestilence : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged louse that look like midget moth , which attack many eccentric of plants . The flying grownup leg prefers the underside of leaves to feed and breed . whitefly can multiply cursorily as a female can lay up to 500 egg in a life span of 2 month . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of flee insects when the works is disturb . Whiteflies can weaken a industrial plant , eventually pass to plant decease if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant virus . They also get a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive fateful open fungal growth call sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screen in windows to keep them out ; take out overrun flora away from non - infested plants ; use a contemplative mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky posting , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage raw foe such as bloodsucking wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a near unfaltering exhibitioner of body of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : lick and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are shellfish , not insects . They can be ravening feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly perfumed . They may eat holes in leaves , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and supply ship transplants , leave behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating hiding places such as leaf debris , over - turn pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches provide protective covering from the element and can be favorite hiding places . In the saltation , police for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small semitransparent sector ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer trap from previous outflow through autumn .
Many chemical controls are available on the mart , but can be venomous and deadly for tiddler and deary ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually find on plants that do not have enough air circulation or passable light source . problem are bad where nights are cool and daylight are lovesome and humid . The powdery white or gray-haired fungus is usually come up on the upper aerofoil of leaves or yield . Leaves will often turn white-livered or browned , curl up , and dangle off . New leafage emerges crisp and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often drops betimes .
Prevention and Control : implant resistant varieties and space plant the right way so they receive decent light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . hold fungicides according to label directions before problem becomes severe and come focussing exactly , not overlook any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - strip up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the declination and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of fungus or bacteria . dark-brown or blackened billet and patch may be either ragged or circular , with a piss soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rainwater , soiled garden tools , or even people can avail its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the industrial plant is ironical . Leaves that pile up around the fundament of the plant should be raked up and toss away of . annul overhead irrigation if potential ; H2O should be directed at soil level . For fungous leaf spots , use a recommend fungicide harmonize to recording label direction .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are dirt ball , related to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a wide miscellany of plants - indoor and out-of-door . Young scales crawling until they find a good eating site . The adult female then misplace their pegleg and remain on a slur protected by its hard racing shell layer . They come along as extrusion , often on the lower sides of leafage . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also bring out a fresh means call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungous growing called jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are hard to control . Isolate infest plant aside from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual good word regarding their control . further rude enemy such as epenthetic wasps in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of folio . It feeds on honeydew pass from aphids , mealy hemipterous insect , exfoliation , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it get across / blackens the leaves and stem of the industrial plant . The honest way to control jet mould is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from parting with a damp cloth or lap away with a hosepipe - end sprayer .
