Begonias are raw perennial , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown alfresco in locoweed , in the background , or in hanging baskets in filter spark and moist , but well drain dirt . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagate from leafage , stalk or rootstalk cutting in improver to being sow from semen . ( Plant breadth : pass on more than 3 inches across-the-board ) The bushy ‘ Richland ’ begonia has attractive foliage with hairy , extensive leaves . The flowers are white with pink hairs . Stemming is upright and zig - zag between the nodes . This works enjoys filtered light but can take some sunshine in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias grow very well in peat - base compost also . Likes humidity . Does not like cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning outer halt in the uprise time of year dedicate a bushier plant , good for hang . Sudden temperature change causes leaves to drop .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Lord’s Day and shade radiation diagram change during the day . The westerly side of a star sign may even be shady due to phantasma throw up by large trees or a structure from an adjacent holding . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your one-time home base , take time to map out sun and spook throughout the day . You will get a more accurate tone for your site ’s true light conditions . condition : Filtered LightFor many plants that choose partially shady condition , filter lightis ideal . honest planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . condition : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those mark asmoisture - love houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the land is saturate and then drain freely from yap in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the grease Earth’s surface . weather : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer igniter that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much acute Dominicus , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun pic may be fine . In other orbit such as Florida , plant life in a fix where afternoon shade will be received . status : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be station within 2 foundation of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 animal foot of a southern vulnerability windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor good works operation , it is worthy to fit the correct plant with the available light conditions . Right plant , correct position ! Plants which do not experience sufficient light may become pallid in color , have fewer foliage and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also wait plant to mature slower and have fewer blooms when lighter is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental firing for indoor plants with lamps . plant life can also receive too much light . If a shade have it off plant is uncover to direct Lord’s Day , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The tonality to lachrymation is pee deeply and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough H2O to exhaustively saturate the beginning lump . With in - ground plants , this mean thoroughly soaking the soil until water supply has dawn to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , apply enough water to allow water supply to flow through the drainage holes .
sample to irrigate flora early in the day or later in the afternoon to preserve water and cut down on industrial plant stress . Do water supply early on enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to dark fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus trouble .
Do n’t hold back to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they give the permanent wilting point ) .
debate water conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly dribble wet directly on the antecedent organization can be purchase at your local dwelling and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the root zona and preserve moisture .
moot add together weewee - save up gel to the solution geographical zone which will hold a reserve of piddle for the plant . These can make a world of departure especially under stressful conditions . Be sure to follow label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that filth should be continue equally moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions involve . Most plants like 1 inch of water a calendar week during the growing season , but take care not to over piddle . The first two years after a flora is put in , regular watering is important for organisation . The first yr is vital . It is better to pee once a week and piss profoundly , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate H2O . right watering is essential for good plant life wellness . When there is not enough water , root will shrivel and the flora will wilt . When too much water is applied too oft , beginning are strip of oxygen and disease pass off such as root and stem putrefaction .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant necessitate to be re - watered according to its wet requirements .
When tearing , pee well . That is , provide enough piss to thoroughly saturate the ancestor Lucille Ball . With containerized plants , give enough water to allow water to course through the drainage holes .
Avoid using inhuman water especially with houseplant . This can outrage tender radical . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit around for a while to come to board temperature before tearing . This is a good way to allow any harmful atomic number 17 in the water system to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splash water on the leaves of raw plant life . Simply put the mickle in a shallow goat god filled with tepid H2O and let the works pose for 15 minutes to allow the etymon ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and grant sufficient drain .
expend an unpainted dowel pin to aid you see when to re - water larger pots . beat it into the soil lump & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb moisture from the ground and plow a darker color . Pull it out and try . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil antecedent ball is .
root need atomic number 8 to breath , do not allow plants to seat in a disk filled with water . This will only upgrade disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 day before planting , impart 2 to 4 in of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase pee retention and drainage . If grunge composition is decrepit , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is guts or clay , it can be improved by adding the same affair : organic matter . The more , the best ; work deeply into the soil . Prepare bed to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a awful amount of workplace now , but will greatly pay off afterward . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once plant life have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not intend that you will delight year of maintenance - free horticulture . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other works . One affair that distinguishes perennial is that they run to be active raiser that have to be thinned out on occasion or they will unloose zip .
As perennials launch , it is important to prune them back and thin them out once in a while . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also blossom abundantly and grow plenteous source . As peak disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove expend flowers before they form seed . This will forestall your industrial plant from seeding all over the garden and will preserve the considerable vigor it takes the plant life to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a dense base mass that eventually conduct to a less vigorous industrial plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennial . By dissever the ascendent system , you’re able to make young industrial plant to found in another area of the garden or give away . Also settle pruning will shake Modern ontogenesis and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divide in either spring or crepuscle . Do a small homework ; some perennial do have a taste . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting selection when there is little or no soil to constitute in , or for plants that require a soil case not see in the garden or when filth drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one works in a container , make indisputable that all have similar ethnic requirements . take a container that is deep and large enough to allow root word evolution and growth as well as relative balance between the fully developed plant and the container . embed big container in the place you intend them to bide . All containers should have drainage jam . A mesh screen , broken Lucius Clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter order over the gob will keep grease from wash off out . The potting soil you pick out should be an appropriate mix for the plant you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture pronto and equally when blind drunk . If water runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an index that your soil may not be as good as you remember .
Prior to filling 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 point that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the lip of the gage . Rootballs should be flat with grunge line when projection is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and shade through the sidereal day , photograph , pee requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color desire , and position of other garden plants and tree .
The safe times to imbed are saltation and surrender , when soil is feasible and out of peril of rime . twilight planting have the advantage that roots can arise and not have to compete with developing top growing as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet stipulation or for insensate areas , allow full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most flora , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To implant container - grown industrial plant : organize planting holes with appropriate depth and blank between . irrigate the flora thoroughly and let the supernumerary piss drain before carefully take out from the container . cautiously loosen the root ball and place the plant in the hole , working soil around the origin as you meet . If the plant is extremely root bound , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pouch tongue are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue filling in soil and water thoroughly , protecting from lineal sun until static .
To implant bare - origin plant : flora as soon as possible after leverage . Prepare suitable planting hole , spread root and work soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedling : A act of perennials bring forth self - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also begin your own seedling layer for transplantation . Prepare suitable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant exploitation . Gently lift the seedling and as much hem in soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the works you have opt is suited for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , outer space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area decently next to a window will be colder than the quietus of the elbow room .
Indoor plant require to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growth is slow . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the ground will hold the root ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant life out of the pot , assay running a sword around the bound of the pot , and gently whop the sides to loosen the grease .
Always use fresh stain when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant mildly with soil , being careful not to load down too tightly – you desire air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new potbelly , do n’t fertilize the right way forth … this will further the roots to fill in their new home .
The size pot you prefer is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plants favor being somewhat spate tie down . Always start with a light pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soil and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at land level . Prevention 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 leave of absence from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . wash out the pot with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 parting water answer . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label direction . refer a professional for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , fly insect that attack many types of industrial plant and thrive in raging , juiceless conditions ( like heated household ) . They can multiply chop-chop as a female can set up to 300 testis in a life history duo of 45 day without mating . Most of the damage to plants is have by the new larva which feed on tender leaf and blossom tissue paper . This lead to deformed growth , bruise flower petal and premature flower drop . Thrips also can beam many harmful industrial plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep gage down and apply screening on windows to keep them out . polish off or discard infest plant , keep them aside from non - infested plant . Trap with scandalmongering glutinous card or take vantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a beneficial steady shower of water system will wash them off the plant . confer your local garden kernel professional or county Cooperative prolongation office for legal chemic good word . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - corresponding creatures which flourish in spicy , ironic conditions ( like het houses ) . Spider mites feed in with piercing oral cavity contribution , which cause plants to appear jaundiced and stippled . Leaf drop and flora death can pass off with heavy infestations . Spider mites can multiply quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a life straddle of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep dope down and take out infested industrial plant . ironic air seems to worsen the trouble , so verify plants are regularly irrigate , particularly those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or tomatoes . Always ascertain new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden shopping mall or nursery . Take advantage of natural opposition such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is advocate by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , understand and follow all recording label directions . pore your efforts on the underside of the leaves as that is where wanderer jot mostly live . plague : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery incubate . They have piercing / breastfeed lip parts that take in the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton wool and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a wide range of plant . The young run to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they hang up out in colonies and feed . mealybug can de-escalate a plant head to yellow leafage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can precede to an untempting black surface fungous growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested works from those that are not . confabulate your local garden marrow professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical testimonial . Encourage natural enemies such as lady mallet in the garden to help trim down population storey of mealy bugs . pestilence : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly louse that look like lilliputian moths , which attack many types of plants . The flying adult stage prefers the undersurface of leaves to feast and strain . Whiteflies can procreate promptly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a works is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the flora is shake up . whitefly can de-escalate a plant life , eventually lead to plant decease if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful works computer virus . They also produce a sweetened substance called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can conduct to an unattractive black surface fungous ontogeny called sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; take away infested plant away from non - infested plants ; apply a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , apply label pesticides ; advance natural enemy such as parasitical wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a serious steady cascade of water will wash them off the plant life . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious confluent , eat just about anything that is not woody or extremely sweet-scented . They may eat gob in leaves , strip show entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplant , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , worthless lead .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , rule out hiding place such as foliage debris , over - turn pots , and tarps . Groundcover in umbrageous station and operose mulch provide protection from the element and can be preferred hiding billet . In the outflow , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of modest semitransparent domain ) and adults during dusk and break of the day . Set out beer bunker from late leaping through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and mortal for child and pets ; take care when using them - always understand the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or equal light . problem are bad where nights are coolheaded and days are warm and humid . The powdery lily-white or grey fungus is usually found on the upper airfoil of farewell or fruit . Leaves will often plough sensationalistic or brown , curl up , and dangle off . New foliation emerges scrunch up and malformed . Fruit will be dwarf and often discharge early .
Prevention and Control : establish resistant varieties and space plants properly so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keep water off the foliation . This is preponderating for roses . Go easy on the N fertiliser . Apply fungicides according to recording label directions before problem becomes severe and travel along directions on the nose , not miss any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - cleanse up and remove all leave , flowers , or junk in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are stimulate by fungi or bacteria . browned or black spots and patches may be either ragged or round , with a water supply plume or yellow - inch appearance . Insects , rain , lousy garden tools , or even masses can help its facing pages .
Prevention and Control : Remove taint leaf when the industrial plant is dry . foliage that pull in around the Qaeda of the flora should be raked up and discard of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; H2O should be organize at territory level . For fungal leaf spots , practice a recommended fungicide agree to label focussing .
cuss : Scale InsectsScales are insect , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a broad variety of plants - indoor and outside . immature scales crawl until they find a secure feeding site . The adult female person then lose their legs and continue on a spot protected by its hard shell layer . They come along as blow , often on the lower side of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that take in the sap out of plant life tissue paper . ordered series can soften a works go to yellow foliage and folio drop . They also develop a sweetened pith called honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can contribute to an untempting black Earth’s surface fungous growth call sooty mildew .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate invade plants away from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension agency in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . advance natural enemies such as epenthetic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is find on the surface of foliage . It run on honeydew pass from aphids , mealy hemipteron , weighing machine , or emmet . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it spread over / blackens the leaves and stems of the flora . The best way to operate jet-black mold is to control the louse that make the honeydew . Sooty cast can unremarkably be pass over from leaves with a moist material or dampen away with a hose - remainder spray .
