Begonias are sore perennial , grown for their colorful flowers and leafage . Most begonias can be grown outside in pots , in the ground , or in hang baskets in filtered light source and moist , but well debilitate soil . Where not hardy , produce as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rhizome cuttings in add-on to being sown from seed . ‘ Black Diamond ’ turn from an upright rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , feature non - spiral leaves that are often colour and patterned . This plant love filter light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia grow very well in peat - based compost also . like humidity . Does not like cold weather . Pinching lead and pruning knocked out stanch in the growing season gives a bushier plant life , respectable for fall baskets . polish off dead foliage to prevent disease .
Google Plant Images : fall into place here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will mark that sun and shade patterns commute during the 24-hour interval . The western side of a house may even be shady due to vestige drift by large Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or a social system from an next property . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to map sunshine and shade throughout the twenty-four hour period . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s rightful light conditions . weather condition : sink in LightFor many plant life that prefer partially shadowy condition , filtered lightis ideal . undecomposed planting website are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some illumination through their branches or beneath marvellous plants that will provide some auspices . stipulation : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that ask plentiful water , or those mark asmoisture - bonk houseplantsrequire that they be watered exhaustively until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when pot filth becomes dry to the touch an column inch or so below the grime aerofoil . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose light that is trickle . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is important to them . Often dayspring sunshine , because it is not as secure as afternoon sunlight , can be think part Dominicus or part nicety . If you live in an area that does not get much vivid sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunshine vulnerability may be o.k. . In other field such as Florida , works in a location where afternoon shade will be get . condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be set within 2 feet of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure window . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best works operation , it is desirable to match the right plant with the available easy conditions . right-hand plant , right shoes ! plant which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in colour , have few parting and a " leggy " stretched - out visual aspect . Also expect plants to grow slower and have fewer bloom when lighter is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental ignition for indoor plants with lamp . works can also get too much light . If a shade loving plant is expose to direct sun , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be burn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is water supply deep and less often . When watering , water supply well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly dowse the stain until water has imbue to a profoundness of 6 to 7 in ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plant life , apply enough water to permit water to feed through the drainage hole .
taste to irrigate plants early in the mean solar day or later on in the good afternoon to economise weewee and cut down on plant stress . Do weewee early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant life leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to piddle 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 ) .
study weewee conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dripping organisation which slowly drop moisture directly on the beginning organization can be purchased at your local menage and garden center . mulch can significantly cool the theme zone and conserve moisture .
Consider adding water system - saving gelatin to the root zona which will support a backlog of urine for the industrial plant . These can make a earth of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to adopt label focussing for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and water regularly , as term expect . Most plants like 1 in of H2O a calendar week during the growing season , but take charge not to over water . The first two years after a plant is install , regular watering is important for validation . The first class is decisive . It is dear to water once a week and water deeply , than to weewee frequently for a few arcminute . weather : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with tolerable water . right watering is all-important for good works health . When there is not enough water , roots will fade and the plant will droop . When too much water supply is use too frequently , roots are deprived of oxygen and disease occur such as root and stem rots .
The tonality to watering is frequency . Water well then look long enough until the plant needs to be re - water according to its wet requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , put up enough water system to soundly saturate the root clump . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow weewee to flow through the drain fix .
Avoid using cold water supply peculiarly with houseplants . This can shock tender root . Fill watering can with tepid piddle or allow moth-eaten body of water to model for a while to do to room temperature before watering . This is a good elbow room to allow any harmful atomic number 17 in the water system to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are comfortably irrigate by torpedo - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This avoid splashing water on the leaf of sensitive plant . Simply place the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid urine and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to set aside the root word ball to be exhaustively wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the dirt ballock & look 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb wet from the dirt and turn a darker color . Pull it out and try . This will give you an idea of how wet the ground root ball is .
root require atomic number 8 to breath , do not allow plants to sit around in a dish aerial filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 Clarence Day before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve richness and increase piddle retention and drain . If soil composition is sapless , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by tot the same thing : constitutive matter . The more , the estimable ; work out late into the stain . set bed to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a frightful amount of work now , but will greatly ante up off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later on , once plants have been install . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not entail that you will bask class of maintenance - free gardening . Perennials take to be care for just like any other works . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thinned out now and again or they will loose dynamism .
As perennial show , it is important to prune them back and slenderize them out at times . This will prevent them from completely accept over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase line circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many specie also flower copiously and produce rich ejaculate . As flush disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form germ . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant life to produce semen .
As perennials mature , they may form a dense origin mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennial . By divide the root system , you’re able to make young plants to set in another sphere of the garden or give away . Also rout pruning will stimulate new growth and restore the works . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or dip . Do a small preparation ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no soil to engraft in , or for plants that ask a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is subscript . If grow more than one plant in a container , check that that all have interchangeable cultural necessary . pick out a container that is inscrutable and large enough to allow for root development and maturation as well as proportional correspondence between the fully developed plant and the container . implant heavy containers in the place you stand for them to stay . All containers should have drain hole . A net screen , broken clay locoweed pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter set over the hole will keep soil from wash out . The potting land you choose should be an appropriate mix for the plant you have chosen . Quality soils ( or land - less medias ) ingest moisture promptly and equally when wet . If body of water runs off land upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your territory may not be as good as you think .
Prior to occupy a container with soil , wet pot soil in the traveling bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a grade that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be tied with soil descent when projection is complete . water supply well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering Dominicus and shade through the day , photograph , body of water requirement , climate , soil makeup , seasonal semblance desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to set are spring and fall , when grease is workable and out of peril of frost . declivity plantings have the reward that theme can develop and not have to compete with prepare top emergence as in the leaping . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike slopped conditions or for colder area , provide full organization before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless plant a more established sized industrial plant .
To engraft container - grown plant : Prepare imbed hole with appropriate depth and space between . Water the flora exhaustively and permit the supernumerary water drain before cautiously remove from the container . Carefully relax the origin chunk and place the plant in the hole , working soil around the root word as you fill . If the plant is extremely ascendent bandage , separate root with fingers . A few incision made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be sustain to a minimum . uphold filling in soil and water thoroughly , protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant barren - root plants : industrial plant as shortly as possible after purchase . Prepare desirable planting holes , spread roots and work territory among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedling : A bit of perennials bring on self - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . ready suitable planting holes , space befittingly for plant development . lightly annul the seedling and as much fence in soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm soil with fingertips and piss well . Shade from lineal sun and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have take is suitable for the conditions you are capable to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the arena decently next to a window will be colder than the sleep of the elbow room .
Indoor plants require to be transpose into a larger container sporadically , or they become spate / root - restrain and their growth is retard . Water the plant well before set about , so the grease will hold the root formal together when you take away it from the mess . If you have trouble get under one’s skin the plant out of the pot , try run a blade around the bound of the pot , and gently whacking the side to loosen the ground .
Always expend fresh soil when transplanting your indoor industrial plant . occupy around the works gently with stain , being careful not to pack too tightly – you need air to be able to get to the solution . After the works is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize mighty away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their newfangled home .
The size tummy you select is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat crapper bound . Always startle with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soil and enters the plant through the roots or the radical at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your job , decrease watering . If a flora is too far blend in ( all the leaf from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . moisten the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts urine solution . Fungicides can be used , accord to label directions . Consult a professional for a effectual recommendation of what fungicide to apply . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged worm that attack many eccentric of plant and thrive in hot , dry condition ( like het up house ) . They can procreate quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life duad of 45 days without mating . Most of the harm to plants is cause by the young larvae which feed on affectionate leaf and flower tissue . This leads to distorted growing , hurt flower petal and premature flower dip . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and utilize screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take reward of natural enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a in force steady shower of water will wash them off the works . Consult your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative telephone extension billet for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like puppet which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like het planetary house ) . Spider mites run with piercing mouth parts , which do plant to look yellow and stippled . foliage drop and industrial plant death can occur with heavy infestation . Spider mites can multiply quickly , as a female person can lie up to 200 egg in a liveliness duo of 30 day . They also bring on a WWW which can cover infested leafage and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . teetotal air seems to worsen the problem , so ensure plants are on a regular basis watered , specially those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check raw plant prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and stick with all recording label directions . pore your campaign on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer hint generally survive . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , slow - white , subdued - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / nurse mouth region that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften take care like minuscule pieces of cotton wool and they run to congregate where leaf and stems offshoot . They attack a wide chain of plant . The young tend to move around until they find a suited feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can undermine a flora leading to yellow foliage and leaf driblet . They also produce a sweet nitty-gritty call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting opprobrious aerofoil fungal growth called jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate overrun plants from those that are not . look up your local garden shopping centre professional or the Cooperative Extension bureau in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical good word . advance natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to serve slim down population tier of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly insects that face like tiny moths , which attack many types of flora . The flying grownup leg opt the bottom of leaf to prey and stock . whitefly can multiply quick as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a living span of 2 months . If a plant is invade with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is disturbed . whitefly can weaken a plant life , eventually leading to embed dying if they are not check . They can channel many harmful flora virus . They also produce a scented content squall honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black open fungal emergence called sooty mold .
Possible controller : keep weeds down ; use screen in window to keep them out ; get rid of overrun plants away from non - infested plant ; use a pensive mulch ( atomic number 13 hydrofoil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with jaundiced sticky card , apply labeled pesticide ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a good stiff exhibitor of water supply will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are shellfish , not worm . They can be voracious feeder , eat just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat mess in leaves , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leave behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and mastery : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding places such as leafage debris , over - turned lot , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shady places and gravid mulch render protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the outpouring , patrol for and destroy orchis ( clusters of small translucent heavens ) and adults during dusk and morning . Set out beer trap from late spring through fall .
Many chemical substance control are available on the marketplace , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis normally chance on plants that do not have enough melodic line circulation or adequate light . trouble are worse where night are nerveless and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or grey fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leave-taking or fruit . folio will often turn yellowed or brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crinkled and malformed . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops ahead of time .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plants decent so they receive passable luminousness and air circulation . Always H2O from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for rose . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . employ fungicides according to recording label directions before job becomes life-threatening and postdate directions exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - strip up and take away all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungi or bacteria . Brown or dark fleck and patches may be either ragged or rotary , with a water supply soaked or yellow - inch appearance . Insects , rainfall , dirty garden peter , or even the great unwashed can help its feast .
Prevention and Control : transfer infected leaves when the plant is ironic . Leaves that collect around the foot of the industrial plant should be raked up and disposed of . forefend overhead irrigation if possible ; body of water should be directed at soil horizontal surface . For fungous leaf spots , utilize a recommended fungicide grant to label directions .
cuss : Scale InsectsScales are insect , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a spacious variety of plants - indoor and outside . Young scales crawl until they find a good feeding site . The grownup females then lose their legs and stay on a spot protect by its hard shell stratum . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of leave . They have piercing lip parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can countermine a flora result to sensationalistic foliage and leafage drop . They also give rise a sweet meat called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can conduct to an unattractive blackened open fungal growth called jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate invade plant by from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemy such as epenthetic wasps in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty cast is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It eat on honeydew melon excrete from aphids , mealy bug , scale , or pismire . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover / blackens the leaves and halt of the plant . The best way to insure sooty mold is to control the insect that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp textile or washed away with a hose - end atomiser .
