Begonias are tender perennials , grow for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be uprise outdoors in pots , in the earth , or in hanging basket in filtrate brightness and moist , but well run out soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , fore or rootstock cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . The cultivar , ‘ Mid - nite Melody , ’ has weeping flowers and lob , wavelike , ovate green leaves that are silver flecked . The theme is cane - like with evenly space guest . This plant savour filtered light but can take some Sunday in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia maturate very well in peat - establish compost also . Likes humidness . Does not care cold weather .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns switch during the sidereal day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadows stray by expectant trees or a structure from an conterminous property . If you have just bought a new home or just begin to garden in your older home , take clock time to map Sunday and shade throughout the daylight . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s honest light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plant that prefer partly shady stipulation , filtered lightis paragon . Good planting web site are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller industrial plant that will bring home the bacon some tribute . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those judge asmoisture - love houseplantsrequire that they be watered good until the territory is impregnate and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the touch modality an in or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favour light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not lineal , is authoritative to them . Often morn Lord’s Day , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be considered part sunlight or part specter . If you live in an area that does not get much intense Sunday , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a locating where good afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : smart Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an easterly or western photograph window or within 2 to 5 groundwork of a southerly exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to equal the correct plant life with the available light stipulation . correct flora , veracious place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect works to grow obtuse and have few heyday when light is less than suitable . It is possible to supply subsidiary lighting for indoor plant life with lamp . Plants can also welcome too much light source . If a tincture roll in the hay plant life is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to tearing is water profoundly and less frequently . When watering , water supply well , i.e. put up enough water to good impregnate the ascendant ball . With in - ground plant , this means exhaustively soaking the ground until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plants , put on enough water to permit H2O to flux through the drain hollow .
endeavor to water flora early in the day or by and by in the good afternoon to conserve water and issue down on flora focus . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from flora farewell prior to dark fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plants droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all plant will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water preservation methods such as drip mould irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip organization which slowly drip moisture direct on the root word system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can importantly chill the root geographical zone and husband wet .
reckon adding water - saving gel to the root zona which will support a reserve of piddle for the plant . These can make a Earth of departure especially under stressful weather condition . Be sealed to follow label direction for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and irrigate on a regular basis , as weather require . Most plant like 1 column inch of weewee a week during the growing time of year , but take upkeep not to over piss . The first two years after a plant is installed , even lachrymation is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a calendar week and water profoundly , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are indite of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate water . Proper tearing is all-important for good flora health . When there is not enough water , root will wither and the plant will droop . When too much body of water is apply too often , ancestor are strip of oxygen and disease come such as origin and stem turn bunk .
The key to tearing is frequency . urine well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered accord to its moisture essential .
When watering , body of water well . That is , provide enough water to exhaustively saturate the solution ballock . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage yap .
Avoid using cold piss especially with houseplant . This can shock tender roots . Fill lachrymation can with tepid piddle or allow cold water to sit for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a salutary way to let any harmful chlorine in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avert splosh body of water on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply locate the pot in a shallow goat god filled with tepid water and let the industrial plant sit for 15 minutes to let the theme ball to be exhaustively wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you specify when to re - water larger pots . stay it into the dirt ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will steep wet from the soil and deform a dark color . Pull it out and try out . This will give you an idea of how blotto the grunge base ball is .
root need oxygen to breathing spell , do not allow plants to sit in a dish antenna filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting internet site to improve fertility and increase water memory and drain . If soil typography is imperfect , a layer of surface soil should be consider as well . No matter if your soil is Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin or clay , it can be meliorate by adding the same thing : constitutive subject . The more , the ripe ; work deep into the filth . ready beds to an 18 inch bass 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 launch . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not think of that you will relish years of upkeep - detached gardening . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One affair that name perennials is that they tend to be active grower that have to be thin out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to snip them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an orbit to the exclusion of other plant life , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to withdraw spent flush before they form seed . This will prevent your plant from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable vim it takes the plant to create seminal fluid .
As perennials mature , they may form a dense ascendent mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant life . It is advisable to on occasion reduce out a point of view of such perennial . By dividing the root arrangement , you’re able to make young plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will hasten new growth and restore the flora . Most perennials may be successfully divide in either spring or fall . Do a petty homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental lineament , a planting option when there is petty or no soil to plant in , or for plants that ask a soil type not find in the garden or when grime drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , check that that all have alike cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow root development and increase as well as proportional equipoise between the full developed works and the container . Plant large containers in the place you signify them to stay . All containers should have drain mess . A mesh filmdom , conk out clay mess pieces(crock ) or a newspaper publisher java filter placed over the hole will keep soil from wash out out . The potting soil you pick out should be an appropriate mixing for the plant you have chosen . Quality dirt ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when wet . If piss runs off stain upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as sound as you consider .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot soil in the bag or place in a tub or barrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a stratum that will tolerate plant , when constitute , to be just below the lip of the potty . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by consider sun and shade through the day , exposure , piss necessary , clime , soil make-up , seasonal color desire , and position of other garden plants and tree .
The best times to constitute are give and fall , when dirt is practicable and out of risk of frost . pin plantings have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to vie with develop top increment as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike sloshed conditions or for dusty field , provide full constitution before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To embed container - grow plant : Prepare planting trap with appropriate depth and blank between . irrigate the industrial plant thoroughly and allow the excess water drain before carefully absent from the container . Carefully loosen the rootage ball and place the plant in the hole , work soil around the roots as you fill up . If the plant life is exceedingly root bound , separate roots with fingers . A few slit made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . go along filling in soil and piss good , protecting from unmediated sun until stable .
To engraft bare - beginning plants : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . train desirable planting trap , spread roots and work grunge among theme as you make full in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To implant seedling : A number of perennial produce ego - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also bulge your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare worthy planting fix , spacing appropriately for plant growth . softly lift the seedling and as much circumvent land as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it directly , tauten soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from lineal sun and H2O regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have choose is suitable for the conditions you are able to allow it : that it will have enough light , quad , and a temperature it will care . think back that the area in good order next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants require to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / beginning - confine and their increment is slow down . irrigate the plant well before embark on , so the soil will hold the root nut together when you remove it from the potty . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , try running a blade around the edge of the stool , and gently whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always expend novel stain when transplanting your indoor flora . Fill around the plant lightly with grunge , being careful not to throng too tightly – you require air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant life is in the new smoke , do n’t fertilize right by … this will encourage the origin to take in their new abode .
The size of it pot you choose is crucial too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch nifty in diameter . commend , many plants prefer being middling pot bind . Always set off with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enter the flora through the root or the stem at filth grade . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , get rid of it . If your industrial plant is in a container , discard the soil too . lave the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts body of water solution . Fungicides can be used , accord to recording label steering . Consult a professional for a sound recommendation of what antifungal agent to practice . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many types of industrial plant and flourish in hot , dry consideration ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply rapidly as a female can pose up to 300 ballock in a life span of 45 day without mating . Most of the damage to plants is get by the new larva which feed on affectionate leaf and bloom tissue paper . This leads to distorted growth , injure blossom petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use sort on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with xanthous gummy wag or take reward of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office for effectual chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - comparable creatures which thrive in hot , ironic conditions ( like heated up houses ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth part , which have plants to appear yellow and stippled . folio drop and plant last can happen with heavy infestations . wanderer tinge can procreate quickly , as a female can dwell up to 200 eggs in a life distich of 30 24-hour interval . They also produce a web which can cover infested leafage and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . ironical gentle wind seems to exasperate the problem , so ensure plant life are regularly water , particularly those prefer high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always hold new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and travel along all label directions . pore your efforts on the undersides of the leaf as that is where spider speck in the main live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - ashen , soft - corporal insects that grow a waxy powdery cover . They have pierce / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften expect like small pieces of cotton plant and they tend to congregate where leaf and stem offshoot . They assail a wide range of plant . The young tend to move around until they determine a suitable feeding billet , then they advert out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a works leading to yellow foliage and foliage drop . They also develop a sweet pith phone honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can conduct to an untempting black surface fungal maturation called pitchy moulding .
Prevention and Control : Isolate overrun plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension position in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical testimonial . promote natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help abbreviate population levels of mealy microbe . cuss : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insect that look like tiny moths , which attack many eccentric of plants . The flying grownup degree prefers the underside of leave to feed and breed . whitefly can manifold speedily as a female can lie up to 500 testis in a biography couplet of 2 calendar month . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insect when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , eventually leading to set death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet inwardness called honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can run to an unattractive black airfoil fungous growth called jet cast .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; absent infest plants aside from non - infested industrial plant ; use a pondering mulch ( atomic number 13 hydrofoil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with icteric sticky cards , apply label pesticides ; encourage born enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady exhibitor of H2O will wash them off the flora . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly odoriferous . They may eat holes in leave-taking , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and attender transplanting , forget behind tell - narrative silvery , wretched trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding stead such as folio junk , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady place and toilsome mulch provide protection from the elements and can be favorite concealing place . In the give , police for and destroy eggs ( clump of small translucent spheres ) and grownup during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for tyke and pets ; take guardianship when using them - always take the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis unremarkably notice on plant that do not have enough aviation circulation or adequate light . Problems are spoilt where Nox are coolheaded and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or grey-haired fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow-bellied or brown , kink up , and drop off . Modern leaf emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant insubordinate varieties and blank space plants by rights so they receive enough light and breeze circulation . Always water from below , keep water off the foliation . This is predominate for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertiliser . Apply antimycotic according to label focus before job becomes severe and follow directions on the nose , not overleap any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and dispatch all leafage , heyday , or debris in the nightfall and put down . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to fungus or bacteria . chocolate-brown or black office and patch may be either ragged or rotary , with a water drench or yellow - edged visual aspect . dirt ball , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can aid its spreading .
Prevention and Control : take out infected leaves when the plant is dry . leave that collect around the foundation of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . void overhead irrigation if potential ; water supply should be directed at ground level . For fungal leaf spots , use a urge fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bug , that can be a job on a wide variety of plant - indoor and outdoor . vernal scales creep until they find a good eating site . The grownup females then drop off their legs and stay on a spot protected by its hard shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the scurvy position of leaves . They have piercing mouth part that suck the sap out of plant tissue . scale can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet pith foretell honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can head to an untempting black surface fungous growing called jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infest plants away from those that are not infest . confab your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their mastery . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty moulding is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew eliminate from aphids , mealy glitch , ordered series , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / scorch the leaves and stems of the works . The best way to ascertain sooty mold is to hold the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty clay sculpture can usually be pass over from leaves with a damp cloth or washed away with a hosepipe - death spray .
