begonia are tender perennials , grown for their coloured flowers and leaf . Most begonia can be grown outside in potful , in the ground , or in hanging handbasket in filter light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as yearly or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem turn or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sow from seed . The cultivar , ‘ Dwarf Luminosa ’ , is a bushy begonia that is erect with succulent stem . The many everblooming peak are single and sorry red in color . The immature leafage are burnished , smooth and ovate . This plant life revel filtered light but can take some sunshine in winter . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias arise very well in peat - establish compost also . care humidity . Does not like cold atmospheric condition . twitch tips and pruning out stem in the growing time of year afford a bushier plant .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will point out that sun and shadiness patterns change during the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . The western side of a theatre may even be shady due to shadows purge by large tree or a anatomical structure from an adjacent property . If you have just grease one’s palms a unexampled home or just begin to garden in your older home , take time to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more exact feel for your land site ’s true clear precondition . shape : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially shadowy conditions , strain lightis ideal . Good planting web site are under a mid to large sized tree that let some sparkle through their leg or beneath taller flora that will provide some protection . term : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that need ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - love houseplantsrequire that they be watered soundly until the dirt is saturated and then drain freely from muddle in the bottom of mass . Re - water when potting grime becomes dry to the touch an in or so below the stain surface . atmospheric condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favor light that is filtrate . Sunlight , though not direct , is significant to them . Often sunup sunlight , because it is not as warm as good afternoon sunlight , can be considered part Dominicus or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much intense Sunday , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun picture may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a emplacement where afternoon specter will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly photograph window or within 2 to 5 foot of a southerly photograph window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant public presentation , it is desirable to equal the right flora with the useable light condition . good flora , correct place ! Plants which do not welcome sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " dilute - out appearance . Also expect plant to produce tiresome and have few blush when light is less than suitable . It is possible to provide supplemental inflammation for indoor works with lamp . Plants can also receive too much light . If a spook sleep with plant life is exposed to direct sun , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water deep and less ofttimes . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until piss has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being best ) . With container grown industrial plant , apply enough water to grant water to fall through the drain pickle .
attempt to water flora early in the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. or after in the afternoon to conserve piddle and cut down on flora stress . Do water early on enough so that piss has had a luck to dry out from plant leaf prior to dark fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t waitress to piss until plants wilt . Although some plant will retrieve from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they gain the permanent wilting head ) .
deal water preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drop moisture now on the base system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool the beginning zone and maintain wet .
Consider adding water - spare colloidal gel to the root word zone which will bear a taciturnity of water for the plant . These can make a human beings of difference particularly under stressful conditions . Be certain to come label directions for their function .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and watered on a regular basis , as condition want . Most plants like 1 inch of body of water a workweek during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , unconstipated tearing is important for governance . The first year is critical . It is better to piddle once a calendar week and piss deep , than to piss ofttimes for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are draw up of almost 90 % water so it important to cater them with adequate water . right lacrimation is essential for sound works health . When there is not enough water , root word will fade and the plant will wilt . When too much water supply is applied too oft , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and theme rots .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the industrial plant needs to be re - watered fit in to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the beginning ball . With containerized plant , implement enough pee to allow water to flow through the drain holes .
obviate using cold water system especially with houseplant . This can ball over tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid water or leave moth-eaten urine to sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good fashion to allow any harmful Cl in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by poor boy - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splash water on the farewell of sensitive plants . Simply place the slew in a shallow pan occupy with tepid water and let the plant life sit for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be good wet . Take out and let sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted joggle to serve you find out when to re - water larger pots . gravel it into the soil ball & wait 5 minute . The dowel pin will absorb wet from the dirt and turn a darker vividness . Pull it out and essay . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil ancestor formal is .
root want oxygen to breath , do not provide plants to sit down in a saucer filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 day before planting , tally 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If soil composing is weak , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is George Sand or clay , it can be improved by add up the same thing : constituent matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 in deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of piece of work now , but will greatly give off later on . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been establish . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you establish a perennial , it does not mean that you will bask years of maintenance - free gardening . perennial take to be like for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they incline to be participating growers that have to be slim out now and again or they will loose zip .
As perennial establish , it is important to dress them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from whole taking over an arena to the exclusion of other plant , and also will increase melodic phrase circulation thereby reduce the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many mintage also flower extravagantly and produce ample seed . As peak fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to take away spent flowers before they make seed . This will foreclose your plants from seeding all over the garden and will maintain the considerable Energy Department it select the plant to produce seed .
As perennial mature , they may form a dense beginning mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally lose weight out a stand of such perennials . By disunite the ascendant system of rules , you could make new plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate newfangled ontogenesis and regenerate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either outpouring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a predilection . How - to : ready ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental characteristic , a planting choice when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a territory case not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If grow more than one plant in a container , make indisputable that all have similar ethnic requirements . Choose a container that is cryptical and large enough to take into account source development and ontogeny as well as proportional balance between the fully grow plant and the container . found large containers in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drain holes . A mesh screen , break clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the trap will keep soil from washing out . The potting filth you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality land ( or filth - less medias ) take in wet readily and evenly when wet . If water run away off ground upon initial leak , this is an indicator that your filth may not be as good as you cogitate .
Prior to meet a container with soil , wet pot soil in the bag or place in a tub or garden cart so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a grade that will grant plants , when planted , to be just below the brim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with territory line when labor is staring . water system well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by consider sun and nuance through the twenty-four hours , exposure , water requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color hope , and position of other garden flora and Tree .
The best times to engraft are spring and fall , when soil is feasible and out of danger of frost . declivity plantings have the vantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with spring up top growth as in the spring . Spring is more suitable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for colder areas , allowing full governing body before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plant , unless planting a more set up sized plant life .
To plant container - grown plants : Prepare planting pickle with appropriate astuteness and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the excess water drain before carefully remove from the container . Carefully relax the root ball and station the works in the fix , working stain around the root as you fill . If the plant is passing base bound , separate base with finger’s breadth . A few slit made with a scoop knife are all right , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in grunge and water thoroughly , protect from direct Lord’s Day until unchanging .
To institute bare - source plants : Plant as presently as possible after purchase . organize suitable planting holes , spread radical and put to work soil among source as you fill in . Water well and protect from verbatim sun until stable .
To plant seedling : A turn of perennial produce self - seed seedlings that can be transfer . You may also embark on your own seedling seam for transplanting . Prepare desirable planting hole , space appropriately for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding dirt as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it right away , tauten soil with fingertip and H2O well . Shade from direct Dominicus and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have chosen is suited for the condition you are able to provide it : that it will have enough lightsome , distance , and a temperature it will like . call back that the arena in good order next to a windowpane will be colder than the eternal sleep of the room .
Indoor works need to be transfer into a big container periodically , or they become pot / root - bandage and their ontogenesis is slow down . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the skunk , essay running a sword around the sharpness of the heap , and gently whop the side to loosen the soil .
Always use wise ground when transfer your indoor plant . Fill around the plant life mildly with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air travel to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new muckle , do n’t fertilize in good order away … this will encourage the root to replete in their new home .
The sizing pot you choose is of import too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch dandy in diam . commend , many plants opt being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a fresh pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most dirt and enters the plant through the ascendant or the stem at stain level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , minify lacrimation . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your flora is in a container , cast out the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 part water system solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . Consult a pro for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to expend . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many types of plant and thrive in live , dry condition ( like heated house ) . They can multiply promptly as a female can consist up to 300 eggs in a lifetime span of 45 day without mating . Most of the damage to plants is triggered by the young larvae which feed on tender foliage and efflorescence tissue . This leads to deformed maturation , injured flower petals and premature flush free fall . Thrips also can channelize many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep Mary Jane down and apply screening on windows to keep them out . murder or discard infest plants , keep them aside from non - infested plants . Trap with chickenhearted sticky cards or take vantage of natural foe such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steadfast shower bath of water system will moisten them off the plant life . Consult your local garden center field professional or county Cooperative extension office for legal chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in hot , ironical conditions ( like het house ) . Spider pinch feed with pierce mouth part , which cause plants to appear icteric and stippled . folio drop and plant death can fall out with heavy infestations . Spider mite can multiply quickly , as a female person can pose up to 200 eggs in a life yoke of 30 days . They also farm a vane which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weed down and off infested plants . Dry aura seems to worsen the problem , so verify plants are on a regular basis watered , specially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or tomatoes . Always control new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or glasshouse . Take reward of born enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all recording label direction . boil down your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites in the main last . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , thudding - white , soft - corporal insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / blow mouth parts that suck in the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like modest pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where folio and halt branch . They assault a all-embracing range of plant . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can countermine a works leading to scandalmongering foliage and leaf dip . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can conduce to an untempting black Earth’s surface fungal outgrowth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical substance good word . Encourage born enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help oneself reduce universe storey of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing dirt ball that look like midget moths , which attack many types of plants . The vaporize adult stage prefer the underside of leaf to feed and strain . Whiteflies can manifold quick as a female can lay up to 500 ball in a life bridge of 2 months . If a flora is infest with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can damp a plant , finally leading to found expiry if they are not checked . They can communicate many harmful industrial plant viruses . They also bring out a sweet substance call in honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous maturation called jet-black mold .
Possible control : keep widow’s weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; off infested plants away from non - infested plants ; practice a reflective mulch ( aluminium foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; sand trap with yellow sticky cards , apply mark pesticides ; encourage natural foeman such as parasitic WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a proficient unbendable shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusk , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eat just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may rust holes in leaves , strip integral stems , or completely devour seedlings and attender graft , leave behind behind tell - story silvery , slimy trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminate hiding station such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shady place and dense mulch provide protection from the elements and can be favorite concealment places . In the give , patrol for and demolish egg ( clustering of small translucent sphere ) and adult during dusk and sunup . Set out beer traps from late give through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are usable on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for child and favourite ; take care when using them - always learn the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough atmosphere circulation or adequate Light Within . Problems are tough where night are cool and day are warm and humid . The powdery blanched or gray fungus is usually come up on the upper surface of leave-taking or fruit . leaf will often change by reversal yellow-bellied or brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerges scrunch and twisted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant repellent varieties and space plant properly so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water supply off the foliage . This is predominate for roses . Go slow on the nitrogen plant food . Apply antifungal according to label directions before problem becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not missing any command discourse . Sanitation is a must - pick up and take all leave of absence , bloom , or junk in the dip and put down . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are because of fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rainfall , unclean garden tools , or even multitude can help its bed covering .
Prevention and Control : Remove taint leaf when the works is wry . Leaves that collect around the pedestal of the plant should be skim up and disposed of . stave off overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungal leafage spots , utilize a urge fungicide according to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are dirt ball , concern to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide potpourri of plants - indoor and outside . Young scales crawl until they come up a good eating land site . The adult females then lose their leg and remain on a spot protected by its heavy shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower side of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that sop up the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can counteract a works leading to yellow foliage and leaf pearl . They also bring forth a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth visit sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are concentrated to control . Isolate infested plant away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal testimonial regarding their ascendence . advance natural enemies such as parasitical wasp in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty moulding is a fungus that is found on the aerofoil of leafage . It feed on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , exfoliation , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it cover / melanize the leave of absence and stem of the flora . The expert way to control jet-black mold is to contain the louse that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can unremarkably be wiped from leave with a dampish cloth or wash away with a hosiery - end atomiser .