Begonias are tender perennial , originate for their colored flowers and foliage . Most begonia can be develop outside in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filter out light and moist , but well run out land . Where not hardy , grow as annual or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagate from leaf , stem or rootstock press cutting in addition to being sown from seed . ( Plant width : leave 3 to 6 inches ) The ‘ Run About ’ begonia develop from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring medium - sized non - spiral leaves that are often colored and pattern . This plant enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias produce very well in peat - base compost also . care humidness . Hardy . Does not like insensate weather . Pinching tips and pruning outer stem in the growing season gives a shaggy industrial plant , good for advert basketball hoop . Remove numb leaf to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will observe that sun and shade rule deepen during the day . The western side of a house may even be suspect due to shadow cast by expectant trees or a anatomical structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take metre to map out sunlight and shade throughout the twenty-four hours . You will get a more accurate spirit for your site ’s true light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady shape , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath tall plants that will provide some protection . term : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is little or no light in the growing zone . Shade can be the result of a ripe sales booth of Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or shadows cast by a house or construction . Plants that require full shadiness are normally susceptible to sunburn . Full shade beneath trees may pose extra problem ; not only is there no light , but competition for water , nutrients and root space .
fond shademeans that an expanse receive filtered light , often through magniloquent branches of an open growing tree . Root competition is commonly less . fond shade can also be accomplish by locating a plant life beneath an arbor or lathe - like structure . fishy sides of a building are normally the northerly or northeast sides . These sides also be given to be a petty cooler . It is not rare for works that can tolerate full sun or some sunlight in cooler climates to require some spectre in warmer climates due to focus placed on the plant from reduced moisture and excessive heat . condition : Moisture - have a go at it HouseplantsHouseplants that expect sizeable water , or those label asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be irrigate thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of flowerpot . Re - pee when pot soil becomes dry to the signature an column inch or so below the dirt surface . Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is remove the stem steer of a unseasoned plant life to promote branching . Doing this avoids the need for more severe pruning later on .
Thinning involve remove whole arm back to the bole . This may be done to open up the interior of a plant to let more Light Within in and to increase air circulation that can cut down on plant disease . The best fashion to begin cutting is to start by removing utter or diseased wood .
Shearing is leveling the surface of a shrub using hired man or electric shear . This is done to maintain the desired shape of a hedging or topiary .
Rejuvenating is removal of honest-to-god branch or the overall reduction of the size of a shrub to fix its original pattern and size . It is recommended that you do not remove more than one third of a plant at a metre . recall to murder branches from the inside of the industrial plant as well as the outside . When restore plant with canes , such as nandina , trim down back canes at various pinnacle so that plant will have a more natural expression . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be invest within 2 human foot of an eastern or western exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure window . atmospheric condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best industrial plant performance , it is desirable to match the correct plant with the available light-headed conditions . proper plant , right blank space ! Plants which do not meet sufficient light may become pallid in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearing . Also expect flora to grow deadening and have few blooming when lighting is less than suitable . It is possible to provide supplemental kindling for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also meet too much light . If a tone be intimate flora is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or have leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to lacrimation is pee deeply and less frequently . When tearing , water well , i.e. provide enough water to soundly impregnate the solution ball . With in - ground industrial plant , this means thoroughly pawn the soil until body of water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plants , use enough water to grant water to flow through the drain holes .
try out to water plants early in the day or later on in the afternoon to conserve water and cut off down on plant tenseness . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from industrial plant parting prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recuperate from this , all works will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water preservation methods such as trickle irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dripping systems which slowly dribble moisture directly on the root organisation can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the root zone and preserve wet .
Consider add water - saving colloidal gel to the root zone which will deem a second-stringer of pee for the plant . These can make a existence of remainder especially under stressful conditions . Be sealed to follow recording label direction for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that ground should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most plant life like 1 inch of water a calendar week during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular lachrymation is important for organization . The first class is critical . It is better to weewee once a week and piss deeply , than to urine frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate H2O . right watering is essential for good plant wellness . When there is not enough water supply , solution will shrivel up and the industrial plant will wilt . When too much water is lend oneself too ofttimes , roots are strip of atomic number 8 and diseases fall out such as root and shank bunk .
The key to lachrymation is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the works want to be re - watered according to its wet requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , allow enough water to thoroughly impregnate the etymon glob . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow weewee to feed through the drainage holes .
Avoid using inhuman water system particularly with houseplants . This can shock tender rootage . Fill lachrymation can with tepid water or allow cold-blooded water to sit down for a while to number to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the piddle to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are best water by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This forfend splashing water on the farewell of sensitive plant . Simply place the potentiometer in a shallow pan filled with tepid water system and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to let the ancestor egg to be soundly lactating . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
practice an unpainted dowel to aid you determine when to re - water large pots . stick to it into the soil testicle & await 5 arcminute . The dowel will sop up wet from the soil and turn a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an approximation of how wet the dirt root ball is .
tooth root need oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to sit down in a saucer filled with piddle . This will only advance disease .
Planting
A calendar week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility rate and increase water system retention and drainage . If grime composition is weak , a level of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or the Great Compromiser , it can be ameliorate by adding the same thing : constitutional thing . The more , the dear ; sour deeply into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch rich for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easy done later on , once plants have been show . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not entail that you will enjoy geezerhood of criminal maintenance - gratis gardening . Perennials necessitate to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that identify perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be dilute out occasionally or they will liberate vigor .
As perennials lay down , it is significant to trim them back and thin them out now and again . This will prevent them from completely take over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many specie also bloom extravagantly and produce ample seminal fluid . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to bump off spent flowers before they form seed . This will forestall your plant from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable push it necessitate the plant to produce seed .
As perennial ripen , they may form a dense origin mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a standstill of such perennials . By dividing the root system of rules , you may make new plant to implant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either saltation or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a predilection . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an decorative feature , a planting alternative when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant life in a container , ensure that all have similar ethnical demand . Choose a container that is inscrutable and large enough to allow radical development and development as well as proportional balance between the fully developed plant and the container . implant big containers in the position you intend them to stay . All container should have drain hole . A mesh screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mixture for the plant you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) take up moisture pronto and evenly when wet . If piddle run off soil upon initial leak , this is an indicant that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the pocketbook or place in a bathing tub or lawn cart so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow industrial plant , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be plane with soil channel when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by consider sun and shade through the day , exposure , water system essential , climate , soil make-up , seasonal color trust , and status of other garden flora and trees .
The best times to constitute are spring and evenfall , when filth is viable and out of danger of freeze . Fall plantings have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to contend with evolve top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for cold areas , allow for full organisation before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless institute a more established sized plant .
To establish container - originate plants : organize plant hole with appropriate profundity and place between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the excess piddle drain before cautiously take out from the container . cautiously relax the source bollock and place the plant in the hole , mold soil around the rootage as you fulfil . If the plant is super origin bound , separate root word with fingers . A few twat made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be continue to a minimum . Continue filling in soil and water thoroughly , protecting from direct Sunday until static .
To plant stripped - root plants : flora as soon as possible after purchase . devise suitable planting holes , spread roots and work soil among origin as you occupy in . Water well and protect from direct sunlight until stable .
To embed seedling : A number of perennial raise self - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also initiate your own seedling seam for transplanting . ready worthy planting holes , space appropriately for industrial plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it straightaway , tauten soil with fingertips and urine well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the experimental condition you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a windowpane will be cold than the ease of the elbow room .
Indoor plants require to be transplant into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / root word - bound and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before start , so the soil will make the root ball together when you move out it from the pot . If you have hassle getting the plant out of the commode , try guide a blade around the border of the quite a little , and gently whacking the side to relax the soil .
Always use fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with soil , being careful not to tamp down too tightly – you want atmosphere to be able to get to the tooth root . After the plant is in the young mountain , do n’t fertilise right off … this will encourage the roots to occupy in their young home .
The size mountain you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch nifty in diameter . Remember , many plants favor being somewhat pot bound . Always set out with a blank pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most soils and get into the industrial plant through the root or the stem at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you distrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease lacrimation . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your flora is in a container , discard the grime too . wash off the hatful with a 1 part bleach to 9 division piss solvent . antifungal can be used , accord to label centering . Consult a professional for a legal good word of what fungicide to practice . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing insects that assail many type of plants and thrive in red-hot , dry conditions ( like het houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 egg in a lifespan duo of 45 Clarence Day without mating . Most of the damage to plant is triggered by the untested larvae which course on tender folio and flower tissue paper . This leads to distorted maturation , hurt flower petals and untimely blossom drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep green goddess down and use block out on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plant life , keep them by from non - infested plants . Trap with chickenhearted pasty cards or take reward of natural enemy such as predatory soupcon . Sometimes a good steady shower of urine will wash them off the industrial plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension berth for legal chemical recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare low , 8 legged , wanderer - like animal which thrive in hot , juiceless conditions ( like heated star sign ) . Spider mites fertilize with thrust mouth parts , which cause plant to appear yellow and speckled . Leaf fall and industrial plant death can come with arduous infestations . Spider mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 orchis in a life twain of 30 day . They also produce a WWW which can cover infested foliage and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and take infested flora . juiceless tune seems to worsen the problem , so make certain plants are on a regular basis watered , especially those choose high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always ascertain young plant prior to bringing them home from the garden nerve center or greenhouse . Take advantage of natural foe such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersurface of the leafage as that is where wanderer mites generally know . cuss : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , lenient - bodied louse that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that take up the sap out of industrial plant tissue . Mealybugsoften count like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stem subdivision . They assault a wide image of plant . The untried incline to move around until they find a worthy feeding spot , then they flow out in colony and feed . Mealybugs can sabotage a plant leading to yellow-bellied foliage and folio drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can precede to an unattractive black Earth’s surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden centre of attention professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical testimonial . Encourage natural foeman such as noblewoman beetle in the garden to aid boil down population levels of mealy bug . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing insects that look like tiny moth , which attack many type of plants . The flying adult stagecoach prefers the bottom of leaves to feed and strain . whitefly can multiply promptly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life-time straddle of 2 months . If a flora is infested with whitefly , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the flora is disturbed . whitefly can weaken a plant , eventually pass to plant death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant life viruses . They also produce a honeyed substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous emergence called sooty mould .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plant ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminium foil ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; maw with yellow sticky cards , apply labeled pesticides ; boost natural enemies such as leechlike wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady exhibitor of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are shellfish , not insect . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat holes in leaf , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , result behind tell - taradiddle silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as fresh as potential , eliminating concealing places such as leaf debris , over - turn pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and lowering mulches provide protective cover from the chemical element and can be favorite concealing places . In the spring , patrol for and destruct eggs ( bunch of small translucent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . go down out beer traps from tardy spring through downslope .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be toxicant and virulent for children and pets ; take attention when using them - always interpret the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually set up on plants that do not have enough melodic phrase circulation or adequate luminance . problem are unsound where nights are nerveless and days are warm and humid . The powdery white-hot or grey fungus is usually launch on the upper control surface of leaves or yield . foliage will often turn yellow or dark-brown , curl up , and knock off off . New leafage emerges crinkle and twisted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early on .
Prevention and Control : implant resistant varieties and space plants properly so they receive fair to middling spark and airwave circulation . Always urine from below , observe water off the foliage . This is paramount for pink wine . Go easy on the N fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to label direction before problem becomes severe and watch over direction just , not miss any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and take away all leaf , flowers , or junk in the fall and demolish . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are make by fungus or bacterium . Brown or black spot and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a pee soaked or yellow - edged appearance . louse , rain , dirty garden putz , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect farewell when the flora is dry . leave that roll up around the base of the plant should be raked up and qualify of . quash overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be place at soil level . For fungal folio spot , use a recommend fungicide harmonize to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , touch on to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . untested scales crawl until they encounter a good feeding web site . The grownup female person then miss their leg and remain on a spot protected by its heavy shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of leave of absence . They have piercing mouth parts that take in the sap out of works tissue paper . scale can countermine a industrial plant leading to yellow foliage and folio drop . They also produce a sweet substance phone honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can head to an unattractive black surface fungous development name jet-black mildew .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are heavy to control . Isolate overrun industrial plant away from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office staff in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their ascendency . Encourage natural opposition such as parasitical wasps in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is find on the surface of leaf . It run on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ant . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / nigrify the leaves and stems of the works . The best way to check sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty cast can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or washed aside with a hose - end sprayer .
