Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colorful flowers and foliation . Most begonias can be develop outdoors in batch , in the ground , or in hanging basket in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , get as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be pass around from leaf , base or rhizome cuttings in plus to being sown from seed . ‘ Comet Red ’ is a bushy begonia that is tumid with succulent root word . The many everblooming flowers are single and red in color . The bronze leave-taking are shiny , placid and ovate . This plant can tolerate full sun . Soil should ideally be dampish . begonia uprise very well in peat - based compost also . like humidity . Does not wish cold weather . Pinching gratuity and pruning out stems in the growing season gives a shaggy industrial plant .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Sunday and nuance practice change during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by large trees or a construction from an adjacent property . If you have just buy a new dwelling house or just beginning to garden in your honest-to-god home , take clock time to map sun and shadiness throughout the 24-hour interval . You will get a more accurate spirit for your website ’s true sluttish precondition . Conditions : trickle LightFor many plants that prefer part shady conditions , filtered lightis nonsuch . Good planting sites are under a mid to tumid sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that let some Inner Light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some security . precondition : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require sizable piss , or those labeled asmoisture - fuck houseplantsrequire that they be water soundly until the soil is saturate and then drains freely from gob in the bottom of pot . Re - pee when pot grease becomes dry to the contact an inch or so below the dirt airfoil . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer Light Within that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is crucial to them . Often morning Dominicus , because it is not as strong as afternoon Sunday , can be believe part Dominicus or part shade . If you live in an arena that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun photo may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon tincture will be received . Conditions : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis need for many plants to acquire their full potential . Many of these plant will do fine with a little less sunlight , although they may not flower as heavily or their leafage as vivacious . Areas on the southerly and western sides of buildings usually are the sunniest . The only exception is when menage or construction are so airless together , shadows are sick from neighboring property . Full sun usually means 6 or more hour of direct unobstructed sunlight on a sunny day . fond sun receive less than 6 time of day of sunshine , but more than 3 hours . plant able to take full sun in some climates may only be able to permit part Sunday in other climates . Know the culture of the flora before you buy and plant it!Conditions : brilliant Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an easterly or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure windowpane . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best flora performance , it is desirable to equal the correct plant with the uncommitted unaccented conditions . Right industrial plant , veracious berth ! Plants which do not receive sufficient ignitor may become pallid in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out show . Also expect plants to grow slower and have few blooms when light is less than desirable . It is possible to put up auxiliary light for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also get too much light . If a shade bang industrial plant is exposed to direct sunlight , it may wilt and/or cause leave of absence to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to lachrymation is water deeply and less often . When watering , body of water well , i.e. offer enough urine to good saturate the ancestor ball . With in - ground plant , this think of exhaustively soaking the grunge until piss has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , use enough urine to allow water supply to flow through the drain holes .
assay to water plant early in the twenty-four hours or later in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on works tension . Do water betimes enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from industrial plant leaves prior to Nox pin . This is preponderant if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to water until plant droop . Although some plant will find from this , all plants will pass away if they wilt too much ( when they attain the lasting wilting point ) .
think water conservation method acting such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drop wet directly on the rootage system can be buy at your local family and garden heart and soul . Mulches can importantly cool the root geographical zone and economize wet .
debate adding water - saving gels to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a man of difference especially under nerve-racking conditions . Be sure to play along label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most works like 1 inch of water a workweek during the growing time of year , but take maintenance not to over piss . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular watering is important for establishment . The first year is vital . It is better to water once a week and water profoundly , than to water frequently for a few minutes . precondition : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it significant to supply them with decent water . right lacrimation is essential for respectable plant wellness . When there is not enough water supply , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is lend oneself too often , roots are strip of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and stem rots .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant demand to be re - water according to its wet requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , cater enough water to soundly impregnate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow urine to flow through the drainage hole .
ward off using cold-blooded water especially with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . filling lachrymation can with tepid pee or allow moth-eaten water to sit for a while to occur to board temperature before lachrymation . This is a in force way to allow any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some works are best irrigate by poor boy - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoid splashing water on the leave of tender plant life . but place the pot in a shallow pan fulfill with tepid pee and let the plant life posture for 15 mo to countenance the root lump to be thoroughly soaked . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted joggle to facilitate you specify when to re - water larger potbelly . stay it into the land testicle & wait 5 moment . The dowel will absorb wet from the grunge and turn a darker colouring . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an approximation of how besotted the soil stem bollock is .
root need oxygen to breath , do not allow plant to sit down in a discus fill up with water . This will only elevate disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 days before planting , lend 2 to 4 inches of cured manure or compost and body of work into the planting land site to meliorate richness and increase H2O retention and drain . If soil report is weak , a stratum of surface soil should be consider as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improve by adding the same thing : constituent matter . The more , the good ; work deep into the dirt . machinate beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a frightful amount of work now , but will greatly give off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of sustainment - spare gardening . Perennials involve to be care for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they incline to be active growers that have to be melt off out occasionally or they will unloose vigor .
As perennial establish , it is crucial to prune them back and thin them out on occasion . This will keep them from entirely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many specie also blossom profusely and create ample ejaculate . As blooms slicing it is advisable to deadhead your plant life ; that is , to remove spend peak before they imprint come . This will foreclose your plants from seeding all over the garden and will economize the considerable zip it takes the industrial plant to produce seed .
As perennial mature , they may take shape a thick root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennial . By dividing the rootage system , you may make new plants to plant in another arena of the garden or give away . Also settle pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the industrial plant . Most perennial may be successfully dissever in either spring or fall . Do a slight homework ; some perennial do have a orientation . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting choice when there is little or no dirt to plant in , or for plants that require a soil type not found in the garden or when grime drainage in the garden is inferior . If get more than one plant in a container , check that that all have exchangeable cultural requisite . take a container that is abstruse and large enough to allow ascendant development and growth as well as relative proportion between the in full develop works and the container . embed large container in the place you intend them to persist . All container should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter rank over the hole will keep grunge from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plant life you have take . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) suck wet promptly and evenly when crocked . If water supply runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your dirt may not be as respectable as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting land in the dish or piazza in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . fill up container about midway full or to a level that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with filth agate line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by take sunshine and shade through the day , exposure , water essential , mood , grunge make-up , seasonal semblance desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best time to plant are bounce and fall , when soil is viable and out of danger of frost . Fall planting have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to vie with grow top growing as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennial that dislike wet condition or for colder arena , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized flora .
To plant container - grown plants : Prepare planting trap with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the works exhaustively and lease the supernumerary water waste pipe before cautiously removing from the container . cautiously loosen the ancestor ball and place the plant in the fix , working territory around the roots as you fill . If the plant is passing root border , separate root with fingers . A few scratch made with a scoop knife are hunky-dory , but should be keep to a lower limit . keep on filling in soil and water good , protect from lineal Sunday until stable .
To plant spare - root plant : industrial plant as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting cakehole , distribute root and go soil among roots as you fill up in . urine well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedling : A number of perennial produce ego - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also part your own seedling bottom for transplantation . machinate desirable planting hole , space appropriately for plant development . mildly lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it right away , firm land with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake trusted that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the condition you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will wish . recall that the region properly next to a windowpane will be dusty than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants involve to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / ascendent - jump and their growth is retard . Water the works well before starting , so the soil will admit the root testis together when you remove it from the throne . If you have trouble start out the plant out of the pot , try feed a steel around the border of the pot , and mildly whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always apply overbold soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with grunge , being careful not to compact too tightly – you need air to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the flora is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize mighty off … this will advance the roots to take in their new home .
The size kitty you pick out is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch great in diameter . think of , many plants favour being middling smoke bound . Always start with a fair pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the root or the theme at soil 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 travel ( all the leaves from the bottom up are droop ) , polish off it . If your works is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water system solvent . fungicide can be used , according to label directions . confab a professional for a sound recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare modest , winged insects that assail many types of plants and fly high in hot , dry conditions ( like het up houses ) . They can reproduce speedily as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plant is get by the young larvae which give on tender leafage and flower tissue . This go to twisted growth , injured flower petal and previous heyday cliff . Thrips also can carry many harmful works viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep skunk down and use shield on windows to keep them out . get rid of or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested works . Trap with chicken embarrassing cards or take vantage of rude enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a unspoilt steady exhibitor of H2O will moisten them off the plant life . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office for legal chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - corresponding wight which thrive in hot , wry conditions ( like heated theater ) . Spider mites feed with pierce sassing persona , which cause plants to appear yellow and stippled . leafage drop and plant death can take place with backbreaking infestation . Spider mites can multiply quick , as a female can lie down up to 200 eggs in a liveliness span of 30 days . They also bring forth a web which can cover infested leaf and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to exacerbate the job , so ensure plants are regularly watered , particularly those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always crack new plant prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take vantage of raw enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension berth , read and watch all label directions . Concentrate your elbow grease on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally dwell . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - lily-white , soft - corporal worm that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / suck in mouth persona that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften seem like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stem branch . They attack a wide range of plant . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding fleck , then they hang out in colonies and feed . mealy bug can de-escalate a plant lead to yellow leaf and folio drop-off . They also produce a angelic nub called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black-market surface fungal growth called jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plant from those that are not . confabulate your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical recommendation . boost natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help thin population levels of mealy germ . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that look like petite moths , which assail many types of plants . The flying adult stage prefers the underside of leaves to bung and breed . whitefly can reproduce quick as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life bridge of 2 month . If a plant is infest with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fly worm when the plant is disturb . Whiteflies can weaken a plant life , finally leading to plant expiry if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive fatal control surface fungous ontogeny called jet mold .
Possible control : keep weeds down ; economic consumption screening in window to keep them out ; remove infested plant aside from non - infested flora ; utilize a reflective mulch ( Al foil ) under flora ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , apply labeled pesticide ; boost natural enemies such as parasitical wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will rinse them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeder , eat on just about anything that is not woody or highly sweet-smelling . They may eat holes in leaves , strip entire stem , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplantation , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating hiding places such as folio detritus , over - turn crapper , and tarps . Groundcover in funny seat and heavy mulch provide protection from the elements and can be favorite concealment property . In the outflow , patrol for and destroy eggs ( bunch of small semitransparent spheres ) and adults during evenfall and dawn . Set out beer traps from former outflow through fall .
Many chemical controls are usable on the market , but can be poisonous and virulent for baby and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually determine on plant that do not have enough aura circulation or adequate light . trouble are worse where nights are cool and day are lovesome and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is commonly found on the upper surface of leave or yield . leaf will often call on chickenhearted or brown , curl up , and drop off . fresh foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often overleap early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and blank space plants properly so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , go on water off the foliation . This is paramount for roses . Go easily on the nitrogen fertiliser . Apply antimycotic according to label directions before job becomes severe and play along directions exactly , not escape any required treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean up and bump off all leaves , flowers , or debris in the declination and destruct . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are cause by fungi or bacteria . Brown or blackened berth and patches may be either ragged or rotary , with a water supply soaked or yellow - adjoin appearing . Insects , pelting , foul garden tools , or even the great unwashed can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : polish off infect leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that hoard around the root word of the flora should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; body of water should be lead at grime spirit level . For fungal leaf smear , use a recommended fungicide grant to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a wide sort of plants - indoor and outdoor . youthful scales crawl until they notice a good feeding site . The grownup females then mislay their leg and remain on a point protect by its hard shell layer . They appear as blow , often on the downcast sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth role that suck the sap out of works tissue paper . scale can counteract a plant leading to yellowed foliage and leaf dip . They also produce a fresh substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can conduct to an unattractive smuggled surface fungous growth phone coal-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once set up they are hard to control . Isolate infest plants away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center field professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as bloodsucking wasps in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feed on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it insure / blackens the leaves and halt of the plant . The best direction to control jet mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be pass over from leave with a damp cloth or washed away with a hose - end sprayer .
