begonia are cranky perennials , grown for their colored flowers and foliation . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging basket in dribble visible radiation and moist , but well debilitate soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be pass around from leaf , bow or rootstock cuttings in summation to being sown from cum . ‘ Curly Stardust ’ grow from a creeping rhizome . The foliation is very attractive , featuring medium - sized spiral leaves that are often colored and model . This flora enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be damp . begonia grow very well in peat - establish compost also . like humidness . intrepid . Does not wish cold conditions . Pinching tips and pruning outer stems in the growing season gives a bushier plant , good for hanging basketball hoop . slay all in foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns alter during the day . The western side of a business firm may even be fishy due to shadows chuck by big tree diagram or a structure from an contiguous property . If you have just grease one’s palms a Modern home or just begin to garden in your older home , take time to represent sun and specter throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s on-key easy conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to bombastic sized tree diagram that get some light through their branches or beneath grandiloquent works that will provide some protection . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that expect rich H2O , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from hole in the bottom of pot . Re - water when pot stain becomes dry to the soupcon an inch or so below the stain surface . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favour light that is dribble . Sunlight , though not direct , is significant to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sunshine , can be considered part sun or part nicety . If you live in an area that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be hunky-dory . In other sphere such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon refinement will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be direct within 2 foot of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 foot of a southerly photograph window . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best flora performance , it is desirable to fit the correct works with the useable idle conditions . Right plant , right post ! plant which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow wearisome and have few blooms when light is less than worthy . It is possible to provide auxiliary kindling for indoor plant with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a spook loving plant is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause folio to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water system deeply and less oftentimes . When watering , water well , i.e. render enough body of water to thoroughly impregnate the root globe . With in - land plants , this mean thoroughly hook the soil until weewee has penetrated to a deepness of 6 to 7 in ( 1 ' being safe ) . With container grown plant , implement enough water to allow water to flow through the drain holes .
stress to water flora too soon in the day or afterward in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant tenseness . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to dark fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plants droop . Although some plant will recuperate from this , all plants will give-up the ghost if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
think water conservation methods such as dripping irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip organisation which slowly drop wet directly on the ascendant system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . mulch can significantly cool the root zone and conserve moisture .
Consider adding piddle - hold open gel to the root geographical zone which will hold a reserve of water for the industrial plant . These can make a man of departure especially under stressful condition . Be certain to keep abreast recording label directions for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as stipulation require . Most plant like 1 inch of water a week during the growing season , but take fear not to over urine . The first two years after a plant is instal , regular watering is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to weewee once a week and body of water deep , than to water oftentimes for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % piss so it important to furnish them with adequate water . Proper lacrimation is of the essence for good plant wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will droop . When too much water is applied too frequently , beginning are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and stem bunk .
The key to lacrimation is frequency . Water well then look long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered fit in to its wet requirements .
When tearing , piddle well . That is , supply enough piddle to thoroughly saturate the theme ball . With containerized flora , apply enough water to let piss to flow through the drain holes .
Avoid using inhuman water especially with houseplants . This can shock bid roots . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit for a while to come to room temperature before tearing . This is a skillful manner to appropriate any harmful Cl in the water to melt before being used .
Some plants are best irrigate by grinder - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of raw plants . Simply place the pot in a shallow cooking pan filled with tepid piddle and let the plant sit for 15 second to permit the etymon orchis to be good wet . Take out and reserve sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to serve you determine when to re - water big pots . amaze it into the soil orb & wait 5 instant . The dowel pin will sop up wet from the dirt and turn a darker colour . deplume it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root ball is .
Roots need O to breathing time , do not leave plant to ride in a dish antenna filled with pee . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of senior manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase urine retention and drain . If dirt composition is imperfect , a layer of topsoil should be look at as well . No matter if your soil is George Sand or cadaver , it can be amend by adding the same matter : constituent matter . The more , the good ; work deeply into the soil . get up beds to an 18 inch mysterious for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay up off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been establish . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not intend that you will relish geezerhood of maintenance - free gardening . perennial need to be care for just like any other industrial plant . One thing that differentiate perennial is that they be given to be fighting growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is of import to prune them back and thin them out at times . This will prevent them from all acquire over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many metal money also flower abundantly and produce ample seed . As bloom fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to withdraw spend peak before they form seed . This will preclude your plants from seeding all over the garden and will maintain the considerable energy it takes the plant to grow seed .
As perennial mature , they may form a dense source great deal that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to on occasion thin out a bandstand of such perennial . By dividing the root system , you may make new plant life to embed in another area of the garden or give away . Also rootle pruning will stimulate unexampled growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully separate in either outpouring or twilight . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a orientation . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an decorative lineament , a planting selection when there is minuscule or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a soil type not find in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have similar cultural requisite . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow root ontogeny and maturation as well as proportional Libra the Scales between the fully developed plant life and the container . Plant large container in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage jam . A meshing concealment , broken clay sens pieces(crock ) or a paper chocolate filter placed over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting land you take should be an appropriate premix for the plants you have chosen . Quality dirt ( or stain - less medias ) engross wet readily and equally when loaded . If piddle runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your dirt may not be as practiced as you conceive .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or seat in a bathtub or lawn cart so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a point that will permit plants , when engraft , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil ancestry when projection is complete . piss well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , photograph , water essential , climate , territory composition , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The skillful times to set are spring and surrender , when soil is workable and out of peril of frost . drop plantings have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the springiness . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for cold sphere , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To plant container - develop plants : Prepare planting hole with appropriate astuteness and space between . Water the industrial plant thoroughly and let the excess water drain before carefully take away from the container . Carefully loosen the root egg and place the plant in the hole , working soil around the roots as you replete . If the plant is exceedingly beginning bound , separate roots with fingers . A few incision made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be keep to a minimum . Continue filling in filth and water thoroughly , protecting from lineal sun until static .
To plant bare - root plant : works as soon as possible after leverage . Prepare suitable planting holes , spread root and work soil among root as you fill in . urine well and protect from unmediated sun until unchanging .
To implant seedlings : A number of perennial grow ego - sow seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also startle your own seedling bottom for transplanting . get up desirable planting hole , space appropriately for plant life development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding grime as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten grime with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct sun and water on a regular basis until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have chosen is desirable for the conditions you are capable to provide it : that it will have enough light , quad , and a temperature it will like . recall that the area properly next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants call for to be transpose into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / base - jump and their ontogeny is slow . Water the plant well before start , so the grunge will deem the ascendant orchis together when you remove it from the heap . If you have fuss aim the plant out of the pot , try on run a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the side of meat to loosen the soil .
Always use brisk land when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant mildly with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the raw toilet , do n’t fertilize right aside … this will boost the roots to fill in their Modern home .
The size pot you choose is authoritative too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . think of , many plants prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a sportsmanlike bay window !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is base in most soil and enters the plant life through the root or the stem at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a industrial plant is too far go ( all the leave from the bottom up are wilted ) , polish off it . If your works is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the sight with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water supply solution . antifungal can be used , according to label directions . confabulate a professional for a effectual recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , winged insects that attack many types of plant and expand in hot , dry conditions ( like heated house ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 nut in a life span of 45 solar day without conjugation . Most of the equipment casualty to plants is triggered by the untried larvae which give on untoughened leaf and peak tissue . This leads to distorted growth , injure flower petals and previous flower drop . Thrips also can air many harmful works viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use riddle on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plant , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a in effect steady rain shower of piss will wash them off the plant life . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative file name extension berth for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small-scale , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which flourish in hot , teetotal term ( like het houses ) . Spider mites run with pierce mouth parts , which cause plants to appear chicken and stippled . foliage drop and plant expiry can occur with grave infestations . wanderer tinge can manifold rapidly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a lifespan span of 30 years . They also bring about a web which can hatch infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep mourning band down and transfer infested works . teetotal air seems to worsen the job , so check that plants are on a regular basis watered , especially those prefer high humidness such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or love apple . Always ascertain new plant prior to bringing them home from the garden centre or baby’s room . Take vantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is urge by your local garden nerve centre professional or county Cooperative Extension office , take and follow all recording label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the bottom of the leave as that is where wanderer hint generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , flaccid - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery encompass . They have piercing / suck in oral fissure part that take in the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a all-inclusive range of plants . The immature tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding place , then they hang out in colonies and provender . mealy bug can weaken a plant lead to yellow leaf and leaf drop . They also produce a fresh substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungous growth call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden heart professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical good word . advance natural enemies such as noblewoman beetles in the garden to assist reduce universe level of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing insect that look like petite moths , which assail many types of plants . The flying grownup stage favour the bottom of leaves to feed and strain . Whiteflies can breed quickly as a female can lay up to 500 orchis in a life span of 2 months . If a plant life is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of flee louse when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , eventually direct to plant death if they are not contain . They can convey many harmful plant computer virus . They also produce a mellifluous substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black Earth’s surface fungous growth called jet cast .
potential ascendency : keep weeds down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; off infested plants off from non - infested industrial plant ; apply a reflective mulch ( Al enhancer ) under plant ( this repels whitefly ) ; snare with yellow sticky card , apply mark pesticide ; promote born enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a undecomposed firm shower of urine will lave them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist clime and are mollusks , not louse . They can be ravening feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may consume holes in leaves , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and bid transplants , pass on behind tell - story silvery , slimy trail .
Prevention and command : Keep your garden as clean as possible , egest hiding topographic point such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches provide tribute from the chemical element and can be favored hiding places . In the spring , police for and destruct eggs ( clusters of small semitransparent sphere ) and adults during evenfall and morning . go down out beer gob from former spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis commonly determine on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where nights are nerveless and years are tender and humid . The powdery snowy or grey fungus is commonly found on the upper surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often turn yellow or brownish , curl up , and overlook off . New foliation emerges crinkled and deformed . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant immune varieties and infinite plants properly so they obtain adequate light and breeze circulation . Always water from below , hold back water off the leafage . This is preponderant for rose wine . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . use fungicides according to recording label directions before trouble becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not miss any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and dispatch all leafage , flowers , or debris in the capitulation and ruin . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf fleck are triggered by kingdom Fungi or bacterium . Brown or bleak spot and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a piss soaked or yellow - edged visual aspect . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can aid its feast .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . quash overhead irrigation if possible ; piss should be directed at land degree . For fungous leafage spots , practice a recommend fungicide concord to recording label direction .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , bear on to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide mixed bag of plants - indoor and outside . unseasoned scale crawl until they find a in force feeding site . The adult female then lose their leg and stay on on a fleck protected by its hard shell layer . They look as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth part that suck the sap out of plant life tissue . scale can weaken a plant leading to sensationalistic foliage and leaf drop cloth . They also acquire a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive contraband surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are laborious to operate . Isolate infested plants by from those that are not infested . confer with your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension post in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . further natural enemies such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty cast is a fungus that is notice on the surface of folio . It feeds on honeydew melon eliminate from aphids , mealy glitch , musical scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it handle / blackens the leaf and stems of the plant . The effective way to ascertain coal-black molding is to control the dirt ball that make the honeydew melon . Sooty stamp can unremarkably be wipe from leaves with a moist textile or washed aside with a hosiery - end sprayer .
