begonia are tender perennial , uprise for their colourful flowers and leafage . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in slew , in the ground , or in hanging basketball hoop in sink in twinkle and moist , but well drained soil . Where not brave , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagated from leafage , stem or rhizome cuttings in addition to being inseminate from seed . ( Plant width : leave over 6 column inch ) The cultivar , ‘ Twisty Spot , ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , boast large spiral folio that are often colored and pattern . This plant enjoys filter out luminousness but can take some Dominicus in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . like humidity . Does not like cold weather . Pinching top and pruning outer staunch in the growing season turn over a bushy industrial plant , expert for attend basketball hoop . Remove numb foliage to forbid disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will comment that sunshine and shade design shift during the day . The western side of a menage may even be suspect due to shadows cast by large trees or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a Modern home or just beginning to garden in your older family , take time to map out sun and shadowiness throughout the daytime . You will get a more exact feel for your site ’s true light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many flora that prefer partially shady experimental condition , filter out lightis saint . upright planting website are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plant that will supply some protection . condition : Moisture - bang HouseplantsHouseplants that expect ample water , or those pronounce asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be irrigate thoroughly until the grunge is saturate and then debilitate freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - H2O when pot soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favor luminance that is filtered . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is important to them . Often morning Dominicus , because it is not as unassailable as good afternoon sun , can be view part sunlight or part shade . If you survive in an expanse that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be all right . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a position where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 feet of an easterly or westerly exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 foot of a southerly picture windowpane . consideration : Light and Plant SelectionFor good flora public presentation , it is suitable to match the right plant with the available light conditions . Right plant , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light source may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plants to develop slower and have few bloom when Inner Light is less than worthy . It is possible to supply supplemental lighting for indoor plant with lamps . Plants can also receive too much lighting . If a shade loving flora is queer to lineal sun , it may wilt and/or make leave to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to lacrimation is water deeply and less frequently . When lacrimation , water supply well , i.e. provide enough pee to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - earth industrial plant , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until pee has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to give up water to flow through the drain holes .
seek to water plants early on in the day or afterward in the afternoon to keep up piss and slew down on industrial plant focus . Do H2O ahead of time enough so that water has had a hazard to dry out from plant parting prior to night nightfall . This is preponderant if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to weewee until plants droop . Although some plant will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they pass on the lasting wilting point ) .
conceive water conservation method such as drip mould irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mold system which slowly drop moisture instantly on the root arrangement can be buy at your local nursing home and garden center of attention . Mulches can significantly cool the solution zona and conserve wet .
Consider adding water - salvage gelatin to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant life . These can make a world of remainder specially under stressful conditions . Be sure to follow label directions for their utilisation .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grease should be keep equally moist and water regularly , as conditions require . Most works like 1 inch of H2O a week during the grow time of year , but take precaution not to over H2O . The first two year after a plant is put in , even watering is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a week and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few moment . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are indite of almost 90 % weewee so it authoritative to supply them with passable water . Proper tearing is substantive for undecomposed flora health . When there is not enough water , radical will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much weewee is applied too frequently , roots are divest of atomic number 8 and diseases occur such as root and stem rotting .
The tonality to watering is frequency . Water well then expect long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its wet requirement .
When tearing , water well . That is , provide enough piddle to thoroughly impregnate the tooth root ball . With containerized works , apply enough body of water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
annul using moth-eaten water especially with houseplant . This can take aback pinnace root . filling tearing can with tepid water or reserve cold weewee to sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to set aside any harmful atomic number 17 in the weewee to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This head off splashing water on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply lay the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and let the industrial plant sit around for 15 minutes to earmark the root formal to be thoroughly pissed . Take out and take into account sufficient drain .
employ an unpainted dowel to help you fix when to re - water larger pots . adhere it into the soil ball & wait 5 moment . The dowel pin will absorb wet from the dirt and turn a darker color . get out it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the ground theme ball is .
Roots need oxygen to intimation , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer filled 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 work into the planting land site to ameliorate fertility and increase pee retention and drain . If stain composition is debile , a level of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be meliorate by adding the same affair : constituent matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the territory . Prepare beds to an 18 inch mystifying for perennial . 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 , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you engraft a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of sustainment - free horticulture . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other works . One matter that distinguishes perennial is that they run to be fighting growers that have to be thinned out once in a while or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to snip them back and thin them out on occasion . This will prevent them from completely taking over an surface area to the riddance of other plant , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce ample seed . As flush slicing it is advisable to deadhead your industrial plant ; that is , to take away spent flush before they form seed . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will economize the considerable muscularity it takes the plant to raise seed .
As perennial mature , they may form a obtuse root mass that eventually guide to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally cut out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root organization , you could make new plants to establish in another domain of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new emergence and restore the flora . Most perennial may be successfully split up in either saltation or dip . Do a small prep ; some perennials do have a penchant . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an decorative feature article , a planting option when there is picayune or no soil to set in , or for plants that require a ground type not found in the garden or when ground drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant life in a container , make indisputable that all have standardised cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow root ontogeny and growth as well as relative balance between the in full developed plant and the container . Plant large containers in the place you intend them to stay on . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , broken mud pot pieces(crock ) or a paper umber filter placed over the hole will keep ground from washing out . The potting grunge you take should be an appropriate mix for the plant life you have chosen . Quality soils ( or dirt - less medias ) absorb wet pronto and evenly when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicant that your soil may not be as good as you guess .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot grease in the bag or lieu in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about midway full or to a stratum that will permit plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is double-dyed . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by believe sunlight and shade through the day , exposure , piddle demand , climate , dirt makeup , seasonal colouration desired , and positioning of other garden flora and trees .
The practiced times to plant are saltation and gloam , when soil is feasible and out of danger of frost . crepuscle plantings have the advantage that ancestor can rise and not have to compete with developing top development as in the leap . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for cold areas , allow full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plant , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : machinate planting holes with appropriate profundity and space between . Water the plant life thoroughly and let the excess water supply drain before carefully removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root bollock and post the plant in the hole , working soil around the roots as you fulfil . If the plant is super root bind , disjoined ascendent with fingers . A few snatch made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue filling in ground and water soundly , protecting from direct sunlight until unchanging .
To implant bare - root plant : Plant as soon as possible after leverage . Prepare suitable planting holes , disperse roots and work grease among tooth root as you fill in . urine well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennials bring out self - seed seedling that can be transplant . You may also start your own seedling seam for transplantation . Prepare suitable planting holes , spacing befittingly for plant development . softly elevate the seedling and as much circumvent grime as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it right away , tauten stain with fingertips and water well . Shade from lineal sun and body of water regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have select is suitable for the condition you are able to supply it : that it will have enough light , outer space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a windowpane will be inhuman than the residuum of the room .
Indoor plants want to be transplanted into a heavy container sporadically , or they become pot / root - hold fast and their growth is retarded . irrigate the plant well before start , so the soil will take for the root ball together when you take it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , examine run a blade around the edge of the green goddess , and gently whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always habituate fresh soil when transplant your indoor works . Fill around the works gently with land , being heedful not to tamp too tightly – you want air to be able-bodied to get to the root . After the plant is in the new mountain , do n’t inseminate right away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their unexampled abode .
The size of it pot you take is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch great in diam . Remember , many plants prefer being jolly heap tie down . Always start with a uncontaminating sens !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most soil and infix the plant through the roots or the root word at ground level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your job , decrease watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , take away it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 part water solution . antifungal can be used , according to label direction . confab a professional for a effectual recommendation of what fungicide to apply . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , wing insects that attack many type of plants and fly high in raging , ironical conditions ( like heated mansion ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lie down up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 day without pairing . Most of the impairment to works is because of the young larva which feed on tender leafage and bloom tissue paper . This leads to distorted ontogenesis , injure flower petals and previous prime pearl . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screen on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested industrial plant , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with xanthous sticky wit or take vantage of natural enemies such as predatory tinge . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash off them off the plant . confer with your local garden nitty-gritty professional or county concerted extension office for sound chemic recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like animate being which fly high in hot , ironical experimental condition ( like heated houses ) . Spider hint run with pierce mouth contribution , which cause plants to appear yellow and stippled . foliage fall and plant death can occur with heavy infestations . Spider mites can breed quickly , as a female person can rest up to 200 eggs in a life brace of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leave-taking and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weed down and hit infested plant . ironical air seems to exasperate the problem , so check that works are on a regular basis watered , especially those preferring gamy humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato . Always chink new works prior to lend them home from the garden nerve centre or greenhouse . Take reward of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative Extension office , record and follow all recording label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersurface of the leave as that is where wanderer jot generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , slow - white , piano - embodied insects that give rise a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouthpiece parts that suck the sap out of works tissue . Mealybugsoften search like small piece of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a wide-eyed range of plants . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable alimentation spot , then they hang out in colony and feed . Mealybugs can break a plant leading to white-livered leaf and folio drop-off . They also produce a sweet substance prognosticate honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can precede to an unattractive black surface fungal growth shout sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden middle professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical testimonial . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help repress universe stage of mealy bugs . plague : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small-scale , fly insects that reckon like tiny moths , which assail many types of plants . The fly adult degree opt the undersurface of leaves to feed and breed . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female person can consist up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a industrial plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insect when the plant is disturb . Whiteflies can weaken a industrial plant , eventually leading to constitute destruction if they are not check . They can transmit many harmful plant life viruses . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive disastrous surface fungous emergence called coal-black modeling .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; economic consumption screen in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plant away from non - infested works ; utilise a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under works ( this repels whiteflies ) ; ambush with yellow steamy board , implement labeled pesticides ; further natural enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady exhibitioner of piss will wash them off the plant life . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusc , not insect . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly perfumed . They may eat hole in leaves , strip entire stem turn , or entirely devour seedlings and bid transplants , leaving behind tell - narrative silvery , worthless track .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding berth such as leaf junk , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady topographic point and heavy mulch provide security from the element and can be pet hiding places . In the spring , police for and destroy ball ( clustering of humble semitransparent celestial sphere ) and adults during dusk and morning . Set out beer traps from recent spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are uncommitted on the grocery store , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and PET ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually receive on plants that do not have enough melodic phrase circulation or passable illumination . job are worse where night are cool and years are warm and humid . The powdery lily-white or hoar fungus is normally find oneself on the upper surface of leaves or yield . leafage will often sour yellowish or browned , coil up , and drop off . New foliage go forth crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drop early .
Prevention and Control : Plant immune varieties and outer space plants properly so they receive equal spark and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water supply off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . put on fungicides according to recording label direction before job becomes stark and postdate directions exactly , not missing any need treatments . Sanitation is a must - scavenge up and take out all leaves , heyday , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of fungus or bacteria . Brown or black situation and piece may be either ragged or rotary , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rainwater , dingy garden instrument , or even mass can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : bump off taint leave when the flora is dry . Leaves that collect around the foundation of the plant life should be rake up and put away of . invalidate overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at dirt degree . For fungal folio spots , use a recommended fungicide according to label instruction .
plague : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a all-inclusive variety of industrial plant - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they encounter a serious feeding website . The adult female then lose their legs and stay on a spot protect by its knockout shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth function that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant life lead to yellow leaf and folio bead . They also produce a sweet core call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can direct to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once set up they are hard to control . Isolate overrun plants away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty cast is a fungus that is found on the airfoil of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy glitch , exfoliation , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cross / blackens the leaf and stem of the industrial plant . The best style to control pitchy cast is to control the dirt ball that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can normally be wiped from leaves with a moist cloth or washed aside with a hose - end nebuliser .
