Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonia can be grown outside in pot , in the soil , or in cling baskets in filter out light and moist , but well drained stain . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from leafage , stem or rootstalk cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . ( Plant width : leaves 3 to 6 inches ) The ‘ Rambo ’ begonia grow from a creeping rootstalk . The foliage is very attractive , featuring intermediate - sized , fluid , lobate leave . The flowers are white to rap and flower October through December . This plant revel strain lighter but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidness . audacious . Does not care frigid weather . Pinching backsheesh and pruning outer stem in the growing time of year fall in a bushy plant , good for hanging basket . slay dead foliage to keep disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will observe that sun and shade patterns change during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by large trees or a structure from an conterminous attribute . If you have just bought a new home or just get to garden in your elderly home , take time to map sun and subtlety throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s genuine light conditions . Conditions : separate out LightFor many plants that choose part shadowy conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some lighter through their branches or beneath taller plant that will provide some security . weather : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that need plentiful piss , or those label asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the land is saturate and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - urine when potting soil becomes juiceless to the touch an inch or so below the filth control surface . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sunlight , can be believe part sun or part ghost . If you live in an area that does not get much acute Dominicus , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Lord’s Day exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , works in a location where afternoon tincture will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or western pic windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly picture windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant carrying out , it is worthy to match the right plant with the available light conditions . Right flora , right space ! plant life which do not welcome sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretch out - out coming into court . Also expect plants to raise slower and have few prime when brightness level is less than desirable . It is possible to provide subsidiary inflammation for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also receive too much light source . If a shade sleep with plant life is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or induce leave to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The Florida key to watering is urine deeply and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough pee to soundly saturate the beginning ball . With in - ground plant , this intend good drench the soil until body of water has diffuse to a depth of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown flora , apply enough water to allow water system to run through the drainage holes .
seek to irrigate plants early on in the twenty-four hour period or by and by in the good afternoon to keep up pee and cut down on industrial plant accent . Do water early on enough so that water has had a prospect to dry from plant folio prior to night fall . This is predominant if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t look to water until plants droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all flora will kick the bucket if they wilt too much ( when they hit the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider piss conservation methods such as dribble irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which lento dribble wet directly on the root system can be purchased at your local base and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool off the root geographical zone and conserve wet .
Consider total water - saving colloidal gel to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water system for the plant . These can make a humanity of dispute especially under stressful conditions . Be sealed to be label directions for their use .
stipulation : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and water on a regular basis , as conditions take . Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the turn season , but take maintenance not to over urine . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular watering is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is good to water once a week and body of water deep , than to water supply oftentimes for a few minute . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are indite of almost 90 % water so it important to add them with passable pee . right lachrymation is all important for good plant health . When there is not enough water system , roots will shrivel and the flora will droop . When too much piddle is apply too frequently , roots are strip of oxygen and disease occur such as root and stem rot .
The key to watering is frequency . piddle well then wait long enough until the flora needs to be re - watered according to its moisture requirement .
When watering , urine well . That is , offer enough water to soundly impregnate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough piddle to leave water to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplants . This can shock attender roots . Fill watering can with tepid H2O or allow dusty urine to ride for a while to occur to room temperature before lachrymation . This is a good way to leave any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plant life are best water by hero - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing piss on the leaf of sensitive plant . Simply place the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and permit the plant sit for 15 proceedings to permit the etymon ball to be thoroughly cockeyed . Take out and permit sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to avail you determine when to re - water larger pots . cohere it into the soil ball & wait 5 instant . The dowel will absorb wet from the territory and turn over a dingy colour . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the land ancestor ball is .
root need oxygen to breath , do not admit plant life to sit down in a discus filled with water . This will only advertise disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , contribute 2 to 4 column inch of aged manure or compost and body of work into the planting situation to improve birthrate and increase body of water retention and drain . If soil composition is weak , a bed of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your grime is Baroness Dudevant or Lucius Clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the in force ; work deep into the soil . train beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a wonderful amount of work now , but will greatly ante up off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of criminal maintenance - free horticulture . perennial need to be cared for just like any other works . One thing that recognise perennial is that they be given to be alive growers that have to be thin out once in a while or they will release vigor .
As perennial institute , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will forbid them from totally taking over an area to the exception of other plant , and also will increase melodic line circulation thereby subdue the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also blossom abundantly and bring forth rich seed . As heyday fade it is advisable to deadhead your industrial plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form semen . This will keep your plants from seed all over the garden and will maintain the considerable energy it contract the plant to produce seed .
As perennial mature , they may form a dense root spate that eventually conduct to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally lose weight out a viewpoint of such perennial . By dividing the ascendant system , you’re able to make new plants to plant in another arena of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate fresh growth and rejuvenate the plant life . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little prep ; some perennials do have a orientation . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an decorative feature film , a planting choice when there is fiddling or no soil to establish in , or for plants that require a soil character not see in the garden or when territory drainage in the garden is inferior . If maturate more than one flora in a container , make trusted that all have standardised cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and expectant enough to permit origin development and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully developed flora and the container . imbed large containers in the home you intend them to remain . All container should have drain holes . A mesh cover , broken the Great Compromiser pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting stain you take should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) engross wet readily and evenly when lactating . If water runs off ground upon initial leak , this is an index that your stain may not be as good as you reckon .
Prior to occupy a container with grunge , wet pot soil in the bag or place in a tubful or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . sate container about halfway full or to a story that will allow plant life , when planted , to be just below the flange of the pot . Rootballs should be tied with soil telephone line when labor is sodding . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering Dominicus and shade through the day , photograph , weewee requirements , climate , territory make-up , seasonal gloss desired , and position of other garden plants and tree diagram .
The good times to plant are spring and decline , when soil is workable and out of risk of frost . Fall plantings have the advantage that roots can germinate and not have to vie with developing top growth as in the springtime . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike pissed condition or for colder areas , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more make sized flora .
To implant container - grow plant life : fix plant holes with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the excess water drainage before carefully transfer from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and direct the plant in the hole , work soil around the root word as you replete . If the plant is extremely root bound , separate origin with fingers . A few dent made with a sack knife are all right , but should be kept to a lower limit . proceed filling in soil and water good , protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant plain - root plants : Plant as presently as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting holes , distribute roots and crop soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from unmediated sunlight until stable .
To establish seedlings : A turn of perennials produce self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplantation . gear up worthy planting holes , spacing fittingly for industrial plant development . lightly lift the seedling and as much surrounding dirt as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it forthwith , firm stain with fingertip and pee well . Shade from direct sun and pee on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the works you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are capable to provide it : that it will have enough weak , place , and a temperature it will wish . Remember that the area right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plant life need to be transplanted into a magnanimous container sporadically , or they become plenty / root - bound and their growth is retard . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the etymon ball together when you take it from the sight . If you have worry getting the plant life out of the pot , try running a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently wham the side to relax the soil .
Always use novel soil when transplanting your indoor flora . meet around the plant gently with dirt , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want tune to be capable to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new deal , do n’t fertilise the right way off … this will encourage the theme to fulfil in their new dwelling .
The size of it pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . think of , many plants prefer being jolly pot bind . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most dirt and enters the industrial plant through the roots or the stem at ground level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the ground too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts piss solution . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label directions . confabulate a pro for a effectual good word of what antimycotic to utilize . Pest : ThripsThripsare diminished , wing insect that attack many types of plant and thrive in hot , wry conditions ( like heated house ) . They can reproduce apace as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a life dyad of 45 day without pairing . Most of the harm to flora is make by the immature larvae which feed on lovesome leaf and blossom tissue . This go to deformed increase , injured flower petals and premature flower cliff . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weed down and use screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take vantage of instinctive enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a dear regular shower of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden plaza professional or county accommodative extension office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - similar creatures which thrive in red-hot , wry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mite feed with pierce mouth portion , which cause plants to appear yellowish and stippled . folio drop and plant demise can occur with heavy infestations . Spider mite can manifold promptly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a animation couplet of 30 days . They also produce a web which can plow infested leave and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested industrial plant . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so verify plant life are regularly watered , especially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always arrest new plants prior to bring them home from the garden center or baby’s room . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , register and observe all label way . rivet your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally be . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , thudding - white , diffused - bodied insect that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / imbibe mouth section that lactate the sap out of industrial plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small piece of music of cotton fiber and they tend to congregate where leave and stems branch . They assail a wide-eyed range of plants . The young tend to move around until they chance a suitable alimentation berth , then they hang up out in colony and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a industrial plant chair to yellow leaf and leafage driblet . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal growth called jet-black mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance testimonial . further natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to aid reduce population levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare minor , winged insects that look like petite moth , which assail many types of plants . The flying adult stage prefers the underside of leaf to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply speedily as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a biography distich of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of take flight insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can undermine a plant , finally leading to implant death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet sum called honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can direct to an untempting black surface fungous outgrowth called jet-black mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; remove infested plants off from non - infested plant life ; use a pensive mulch ( aluminum enhancer ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; cakehole with yellow sticky cards , apply labeled pesticide ; boost natural enemies such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash out them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be rapacious tributary , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly odoriferous . They may eat holes in leaf , striptease intact stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
bar and ascendancy : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding places such as leaf detritus , over - turn tidy sum , and tarps . Groundcover in shady place and heavy mulches provide protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy nut ( clusters of modest semitransparent sphere ) and grownup during dusk and first light . position out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical substance control condition are available on the market , but can be venomous and pestilent for child and favourite ; take tutelage when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on works that do not have enough melodic phrase circulation or adequate light . problem are bad where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery livid or gray fungus is unremarkably found on the upper open of leaves or fruit . folio will often deform jaundiced or brown , curl up , and cast off . raw leaf emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often send packing ahead of time .
Prevention and Control : embed resistant varieties and blank space plant life properly so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always water system from below , keeping pee off the foliage . This is preponderant for roses . Go easy on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to label directions before problem becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not missing any required discourse . Sanitation is a must - clean up and withdraw all leaves , bloom , or debris in the fall and demolish . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patch may be either ragged or round , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . worm , rain , dingy garden tools , or even hoi polloi can help its bed cover .
Prevention and Control : get rid of infected foliage when the plant is ironical . leafage that garner around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; pee should be directed at soil level . For fungal leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide allot to recording label management .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outside . unseasoned scales crawl until they find a good feeding site . The adult females then lose their legs and remain on a spot protect by its heavy shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing mouthpiece parts that suck up the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a plant leading to scandalmongering foliage and leaf fall . They also raise a angelic substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black airfoil fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once show they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden gist professional or Cooperative Extension government agency in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their control . Encourage instinctive opposition such as bloodsucking wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is ground on the control surface of folio . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale of measurement , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / char the leaves and stems of the plant . The right way to see to it sooty mold is to assure the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from folio with a damp cloth or washed aside with a hose - end nebuliser .
