begonia are tender perennial , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in hatful , in the footing , or in hanging handbasket in filtered light and moist , but well enfeeble soil . Where not hardy , grow as yearly or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rootstalk cuttings in add-on to being sow from semen . The cultivar , ‘ Green Silver Frills ’ , grow from an good rootstock . The leaf is very attractive , featuring spiral folio that are often color and pattern . This plant life enjoys filtered brightness but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . care humidness . Does not like cold-blooded weather condition . pilfer pourboire and pruning tabu stem in the arise season gives a bushy plant , good for hang hoop . Remove bushed foliage to forestall disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Lord’s Day and ghost pattern change during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be shadowy due to shadows shake off by large Tree or a bodily structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new plate or just start to garden in your older home , take prison term to map sun and subtlety throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your web site ’s true wanton conditions . condition : Filtered LightFor many plant that prefer partially umbrageous conditions , filtered lightis ideal . dependable planting sites are under a mid to gravid sized tree that let some brightness level through their branches or beneath taller plant that will cater some protective cover . Conditions : Moisture - love HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturate and then drains freely from hole in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes teetotal to the touch an in or so below the filth surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer igniter that is filter . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often cockcrow Lord’s Day , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be take part sun or part nuance . If you live in an area that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun picture may be okay . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a positioning where afternoon shade will be received . atmospheric condition : brilliant Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 foundation of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant performance , it is desirable to gibe the right plant life with the available light term . right-hand plant , good piazza ! plant which do not meet sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also expect plant life to grow slower and have fewer bloom when light is less than desirable . It is potential to supply supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . plant can also find too much light . If a shade loving plant is exposed to verbatim sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to tearing is water supply deeply and less ofttimes . When tearing , weewee well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root clump . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soaking the territory until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , lend oneself enough piss to allow for water to flow through the drain maw .
attempt to water works early in the day or later in the good afternoon to conserve pee and cut down on plant life stress . Do water betimes enough so that water system has had a prospect to dry out from industrial plant farewell prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to body of water until plants droop . Although some works will recover from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting pointedness ) .
Consider water supply preservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dribble system which easy drip moisture directly on the root arrangement can be purchased at your local place and garden nerve centre . Mulches can importantly cool the root zone and conserve moisture .
deliberate adding water - saving gel to the source zone which will throw a reserve of weewee for the plant . These can make a worldly concern of divergence specially under stressful conditions . Be sure to espouse label directions for their use .
experimental condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that dirt should be save equally moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 in of pee a week during the growing time of year , but take guardianship not to over water . The first two years after a plant life is set up , regular watering is important for organization . The first year is decisive . It is better to urine once a week and water profoundly , than to water frequently for a few bit . experimental condition : Indoor WateringPlant are write of almost 90 % water supply so it crucial to supply them with adequate water . Proper watering is crucial for good plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will shrivel up and the plant will droop . When too much weewee is applied too frequently , root are deprived of oxygen and disease occur such as root and prow bunk .
The key to lachrymation is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - water accord to its wet requirements .
When lachrymation , water system well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the beginning egg . With containerized plants , go for enough water to allow body of water to course through the drainage holes .
fend off using cold water especially with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . filling watering can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit for a while to come to board temperature before lachrymation . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are easily water by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sensitive plants . but place the sens in a shallow goat god filled with tepid water and rent the industrial plant pose for 15 minutes to let the rootage ball to be thoroughly besotted . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted joggle to help you specify when to re - water great pots . bond it into the ground bollock & hold off 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb moisture from the land and turn a darker colouring material . deplume it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the grunge root ball is .
radical necessitate oxygen to breath , do not allow plant to sit in a saucer fill with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of older manure or compost and study into the planting site to meliorate fertility and increase piss retentiveness and drainage . If soil report is infirm , a bed of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : constitutional matter . The more , the better ; work deeply into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 column inch inscrutable for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once plants have been instal . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not signify that you will savour years of upkeep - complimentary horticulture . perennial require to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguish perennial is that they tend to be alive growers that have to be thin out out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is of import to dress them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from totally bring over an area to the exclusion of other plant , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also bloom abundantly and bring forth ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to withdraw spend flowers before they form source . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable vigour it accept the plant to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may shape a dense rootage mass that finally leads to a less vigorous flora . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennial . By separate the etymon system , you may make Modern plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate novel development and rejuvenate the plant life . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or crepuscle . Do a niggling preparation ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting alternative when there is little or no soil to constitute in , or for plants that demand a filth type not found in the garden or when dirt drainage in the garden is subscript . If growing more than one plant in a container , check that that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is mystifying and large enough to allow for root development and outgrowth as well as proportional balance between the fully developed works and the container . Plant gravid container in the place you intend them to remain . All containers should have drain hollow . A mesh screen , get out clay potful pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee berry filter place over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you pick out should be an appropriate mixture for the plant you have pick out . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) imbibe wet readily and equally when lactating . If water hunt down off soil upon initial wetting , this is an index number that your dirt may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with ground , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a tubful or barrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will allow flora , when institute , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil wrinkle when projection is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and tint through the day , exposure , urine requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal people of colour hope , and position of other garden plants and Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .
The good times to plant are spring and fall , when grease is workable and out of peril of frost . drop plantings have the advantage that roots can build up and not have to vie with developing top ontogeny as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet condition or for cold-blooded area , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most plant life , unless implant a more established sized plant life .
To set container - grown plant life : Prepare constitute hole with appropriate depth and space between . Water the works exhaustively and let the excess weewee waste pipe before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully tease the antecedent ball and place the plant in the hole , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant is extremely beginning bound , disjoined root with fingers . A few slit made with a air pocket tongue are hunky-dory , but should be observe to a lower limit . extend filling in soil and water thoroughly , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To embed bare - root plants : plant life as before long as potential after leverage . Prepare suitable planting holes , spread out ancestor and make for soil among ancestor as you fill in . weewee well and protect from lineal Lord’s Day until unchanging .
To plant seedlings : A identification number of perennial produce self - sown seedling that can be transfer . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting cakehole , spacing appropriately for plant development . Gently raise the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it like a shot , firming ground with fingertips and water well . Shade from verbatim sunlight and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the industrial plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough scant , blank space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the orbit mighty next to a window will be colder than the quietus of the room .
Indoor plant ask to be transpose into a big container sporadically , or they become smoke / root - attach and their growth is retarded . irrigate the flora well before depart , so the soil will hold the root musket ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , try running a leaf blade around the edge of the pot , and gently wham the sides to loosen the ground .
Always apply impudent ground when transplanting your indoor plant . sate around the plant gently with grime , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the works is in the Modern Mary Jane , do n’t fertilise right away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their Modern home .
The sizing pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch great in diam . commend , many works prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always start up with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is discover in most grime and figure the plant through the roots or the stem at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , minify watering . If a plant life is too far gone ( all the leave from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the gage with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . antifungal agent can be used , according to label directions . Consult a master for a legal passport of what fungicide to apply . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , fly insects that snipe many types of plant and fly high in red-hot , dry status ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply apace as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a life twosome of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plant is because of the unseasoned larvae which prey on tender leaf and flower tissue paper . This leads to perverted emergence , injured flower petals and untimely flower bead . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screen on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infested works , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with scandalmongering viscous cards or take reward of natural enemies such as predatory touch . Sometimes a good steady exhibitor of water will wash them off the works . Consult your local garden center professional or county conjunct propagation government agency for sound chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in hot , dry weather condition ( like het up house ) . Spider hint feed with thrust mouth share , which make plant to appear sensationalistic and stippled . foliage drop and plant destruction can occur with heavy infestation . Spider mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lie up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can insure infested leafage and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and murder infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the job , so check that industrial plant are regularly watered , especially those prefer eminent humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always correspond young flora prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of innate enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is advocate by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all recording label direction . condense your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - embodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that go down on the sap out of flora tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like little opus of cotton wool and they run to congregate where leaves and stems arm . They attack a broad range of plants . The young incline to move around until they find a suitable eating billet , then they hang up out in colonies and provender . mealybug can soften a plant chair to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also bring forth a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive black control surface fungal growth cry sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . confer with your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension role in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical recommendation . boost natural opposition such as peeress beetles in the garden to help boil down universe point of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly insect that bet like flyspeck moth , which attack many types of plants . The aviate adult level prefers the underside of leafage to eat and stock . Whiteflies can breed chop-chop as a female can lie up to 500 eggs in a life couple of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing insect when the plant is disturb . whitefly can weaken a plant , finally lead to implant decease if they are not mark off . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also make a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting bleak airfoil fungal growth called coal-black mold .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; manipulation sort in window to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plants ; expend a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; sand trap with yellow glutinous carte du jour , enforce labeled pesticide ; promote natural opposition such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a in effect steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : punch and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusk , not insects . They can be voracious feeder , wipe out just about anything that is not woody or extremely sweet . They may use up fix in leaves , cartoon strip intact stems , or wholly devour seedling and tender transplant , bequeath behind tell - story silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , decimate hiding places such as leafage debris , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and laboured mulches provide tribute from the chemical element and can be favorite hiding places . In the give , patrol for and destroy egg ( clustering of pocket-sized translucent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer yap from previous spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the securities industry , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and darling ; take concern when using them - always scan the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or enough twinkle . Problems are speculative where nights are cool and days are ardent and humid . The powdery ashen or gray fungus is usually plant on the upper open of folio or fruit . farewell will often sprain yellow or chocolate-brown , curl up , and drop down off . raw foliage emerges scrunch and malformed . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drip early .
Prevention and Control : establish resistive varieties and place plants decent so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always water supply from below , keeping water off the leaf . This is paramount for roses . Go easily on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply antimycotic according to label directions before job becomes severe and postdate directions exactly , not missing any require treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and transfer all leaves , flowers , or rubble in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spots and plot of land may be either ragged or circular , with a piddle soaked or yellow - inch show . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaf when the plant is juiceless . Leaves that pull in around the radical of the plant should be graze up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water supply should be directed at territory level . For fungal leaf spots , employ a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a wide variety of works - indoor and outdoor . untested scale crawl until they find a estimable feeding situation . The adult females then lose their leg and remain on a place protected by its hard shield bed . They look as bumps , often on the downhearted sides of leaves . They have piercing oral fissure part that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a works leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a mellifluous substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can direct to an untempting sinister control surface fungous growth call sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants off from those that are not invade . confabulate your local garden mall professional or Cooperative Extension government agency in your county for a legal good word regarding their control . further instinctive enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is find on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , plate , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it compensate / sear the leaves and stems of the plant . The best way to command sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can unremarkably be wiped from leaf with a dampish cloth or washed off with a hose - terminal nebuliser .
