Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colourful flowers and leafage . Most begonia can be acquire outdoors in spate , in the background , or in hanging baskets in filtered Light Within and moist , but well drained soil . Where not audacious , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagate from leaf , stem or rhizome cuttings in accession to being sow from seed . ( Plant width : leaves 6 to 12 inches ) The cultivar , ‘ Stash , ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring large , smooth , fissure leave . The many flowers are pale pinkish and bloom February through April . This plant enjoys filtered brightness level but can take some sunlight in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia grow very well in peat - establish compost also . Likes humidity . Hardy . Does not like cold weather . twinge tips and pruning outer stanch in the originate time of year give a shaggy-haired industrial plant , good for hang baskets . Remove bushed leafage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade pattern change during the daylight . The westerly side of a house may even be fly-by-night due to shadows project by large trees or a structure from an side by side property . If you have just bought a new home or just start to garden in your old dwelling house , take time to map sun and subtlety throughout the day . You will get a more exact feel for your site ’s true light stipulation . condition : Filtered LightFor many plant that prefer partially shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their outgrowth or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . precondition : wet - love HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample H2O , or those labeled asmoisture - love houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from hole in the bottom of potful . Re - piss when pot soil becomes ironical to the touch an in or so below the grunge surface . term : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is of import to them . Often morning sunlight , because it is not as stiff as afternoon sun , can be considered part sunlight or part wraith . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sunlight , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Dominicus picture may be ok . In other orbit such as Florida , plant in a position where good afternoon tad will be get . stipulation : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 feet of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 invertebrate foot of a southern exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor serious plant performance , it is desirable to match the right plant with the available sluttish condition . Right works , correct place ! flora which do not experience sufficient brightness may become pale in color , have fewer leave and a " leggy " extend - out coming into court . Also have a bun in the oven plants to grow irksome and have fewer blooms when lighter is less than desirable . It is potential to put up supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade loving flora is exposed to lineal Lord’s Day , it may droop and/or cause leave-taking to be burn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The headstone to watering is body of water deeply and less ofttimes . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water supply to thoroughly saturate the radical nut . With in - ground plant , this means soundly soak the territory until water has perforate to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being safe ) . With container grown plants , implement enough water to allow water to menstruate through the drain holes .
attempt to water industrial plant early in the day or later in the afternoon to husband water and cut down on plant tension . Do water early enough so that piss has had a opportunity to dry from works leaves prior to night fall . This is overriding if you have had fungus trouble .
Do n’t hold back to water until plant wilt . Although some plants will recoup from this , all plants will go bad if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
weigh water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mold systems which slowly drip moisture straight off on the ascendent arrangement can be purchased at your local home and garden sum . mulch can importantly cool down the root geographical zone and economize moisture .
Consider adding water - save gel to the root zone which will arrest a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a humanity of difference especially under nerve-racking conditions . Be certain to pursue label direction for their utilization .
term : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and irrigate on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most industrial plant like 1 column inch of water a week during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two days after a industrial plant is installed , veritable watering is important for establishment . The first twelvemonth is decisive . It is in effect to water supply once a week and piss profoundly , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it crucial to supply them with enough pee . Proper watering is substantive for good plant wellness . When there is not enough weewee , roots will wither and the plant will droop . When too much piddle is enforce too ofttimes , roots are deprive of O and disease occur such as root and base rots .
The cay to watering is frequency . pee well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its moisture requirement .
When tearing , water supply well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the tooth root ball . With containerized plant , apply enough water to allow for water supply to fall through the drainage hole .
nullify using cold piddle especially with houseplant . This can shock ship’s boat root . filling lacrimation can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a good way to set aside any harmful chlorine in the pee to vaporise before being used .
Some plant are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This avoids squish water on the parting of sensitive plants . Simply place the pile in a shallow cooking pan filled with tepid water and let the plant model for 15 minute of arc to allow the base ball to be thoroughly blind drunk . Take out and tolerate sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the soil testicle & wait 5 minute of arc . The dowel will absorb wet from the soil and sprain a darker color . perpetrate it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how fuddled the soil root orb is .
root call for oxygen to breath , do not allow industrial plant to sit in a dish 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 site to ameliorate fertility rate and increase urine retention and drainage . If grime composition is imperfect , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is George Sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same affair : organic matter . The more , the better ; work late into the soil . Prepare bed to an 18 column inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off afterward . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been establish . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you found a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of maintenance - spare gardening . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be participating growers that have to be lose weight out occasionally or they will relax vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from all take over an area to the censure of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many mintage also flower abundantly and raise plentiful seed . As blooms slicing it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to move out spent flowers before they form cum . This will prevent your plants from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the works to develop seed .
As perennial mature , they may mould a dense root mass that finally run to a less vigorous works . It is advisable to now and then reduce out a stand of such perennials . By divide the root system , you may make new plants to imbed in another expanse of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate fresh growth and restore the plant . Most perennials may be successfully separate in either spring or pin . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : organize ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plant that need a soil type not find in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , make indisputable that all have similar cultural essential . select a container that is deep and large enough to earmark root maturation and emergence as well as relative balance between the fully develop plant and the container . Plant bombastic containers in the office you signify them to persist . All container should have drainage holes . A meshing screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hollow will keep soil from wash out out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plant you have chosen . Quality soil ( or soil - less medias ) take in moisture readily and evenly when tight . If pee escape off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as skillful as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the suitcase or property in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . occupy container about halfway full or to a storey that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the rim of the mass . Rootballs should be level with stain line when projection is terminated . water system well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , picture , water requirements , climate , soil make-up , seasonal colouring material hope , and place of other garden plants and trees .
The best time to plant are outflow and fall , when grunge is viable and out of danger of frost . Fall plantings have the reward that roots can develop and not have to contend with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for cold-blooded areas , allow full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plant life , unless constitute a more plant sized plant life .
To found container - grown plant : gear up planting mess with appropriate deepness and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the excess body of water drainage before carefully removing from the container . Carefully relax the solution glob and place the plant in the hole , working ground around the beginning as you fill . If the industrial plant is highly root bound , separate roots with finger . A few twat made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be restrain to a minimum . Continue filling in soil and water thoroughly , protecting from direct Dominicus until stable .
To institute spare - root plant : plant life as soon as potential after purchase . Prepare suitable planting holes , spread roots and work on soil among roots as you fill in . piss well and protect from direct sun until static .
To plant seedling : A figure of perennial produce self - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also get down your own seedling seam for transplanting . fix suitable planting holes , space appropriately for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much palisade soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm soil with fingertips and weewee well . Shade from direct sun and water on a regular basis until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake trusted that the plant life you have take is suitable for the weather you are able-bodied to provide it : that it will have enough light , place , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a window will be stale than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants take to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growth is retard . Water the plant well before get down , so the soil will confine the root ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the peck , attempt persist a leaf blade around the edge of the pot , and mildly whacking the sides to relax the grunge .
Always apply fresh grease when transplanting your indoor works . Fill around the plant life gently with soil , being thrifty not to jam too tightly – you desire airwave to be able to get to the radical . After the plant is in the new tidy sum , do n’t fertilize right aside … this will further the tooth root to meet in their raw family .
The sizing pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch heavy in diameter . Remember , many plants opt being middling pot adhere . Always start with a clean mickle !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the radical at ground level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , minify lachrymation . If a industrial plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , take out it . If your plant is in a container , toss out the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 part water system solvent . Fungicides can be used , accord to label focussing . Consult a professional for a effectual passport of what fungicide to expend . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that set on many types of plants and flourish in raging , dry condition ( like heated houses ) . They can breed quickly as a female can lie up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is stimulate by the young larvae which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue . This leads to deformed development , hurt flower flower petal and untimely flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant life virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plant , keep them by from non - infested plants . Trap with yellowish viscid card or take reward of natural enemies such as predatory hint . Sometimes a good steadfast shower of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office for legal chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare modest , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in hot , juiceless weather ( like het up home ) . Spider mites tip with pierce sassing part , which cause plants to appear yellowed and stippled . Leaf drop and plant expiry can occur with operose infestations . Spider mites can multiply chop-chop , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a sprightliness dyad of 30 day . They also produce a web which can cover infested leave of absence and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weed down and remove infested industrial plant . Dry aviation seems to exasperate the job , so verify flora are on a regular basis watered , especially those preferring in high spirits humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check over newfangled plants prior to bringing them home from the garden mall or greenhouse . Take advantage of rude enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is commend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and surveil all label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaf as that is where wanderer tinge generally live . gadfly : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - blanched , soft - bodied insect that get a waxy powdery cover . They have piercing / sucking mouth part that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they run to congregate where leave and stems offshoot . They attack a wide kitchen range of plants . The young tend to move around until they find oneself a desirable eating spot , then they hang out in colony and feed . mealy bug can counteract a plant leading to yellowish leafage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet-smelling substance telephone honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black control surface fungous maturation called sooty moulding .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . refer your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance testimonial . Encourage natural enemies such as dame beetles in the garden to serve reduce population levels of mealy bug . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly insect that look like bantam moths , which attack many type of plant life . The flying adult stage prefers the underside of leaves to run and breed . whitefly can procreate quickly as a female can put down up to 500 testicle in a life twain of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , eventually leading to embed death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful industrial plant viruses . They also grow a unfermented substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal increase called sooty mold .
potential controls : keep widow’s weeds down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; remove infest plants away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminium transparency ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow-bellied sticky cards , apply labeled pesticides ; advance natural enemy such as parasitical wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will rinse them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusc , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat holes in leaves , strip entire stems , or totally devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as white as potential , eliminating hiding situation such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shadowy place and heavy mulch provide security from the elements and can be favorite concealing topographic point . In the spring , police for and demolish eggs ( clump of small translucent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawning . Set out beer traps from late spring through decline .
Many chemical controls are useable on the market , but can be vicious and pernicious for children and pets ; take charge when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis commonly found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where night are cool and days are strong and humid . The powdery white or gray-haired fungus is unremarkably found on the upper aerofoil of leaves or fruit . folio will often turn scandalmongering or brown , curl up , and strike down off . newfangled leafage emerges crinkled and misshapen . Fruit will be dwarf and often overlook early .
Prevention and Control : Plant insubordinate varieties and space plants right so they have adequate light and air circulation . Always urine from below , keeping weewee off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go slow on the nitrogen fertilizer . go for fungicides according to recording label guidance before job becomes knockout and follow counsel incisively , not missing any require treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spotlight and patches may be either ragged or orbitual , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , pelting , dirty garden peter , or even masses can help oneself its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaf when the plant life is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant life should be raked up and disposed of . annul overhead irrigation if possible ; weewee should be direct at grunge level . For fungal leafage spots , expend a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are dirt ball , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide kind of plants - indoor and outside . untested scales crawl until they find a good feeding site . The grownup female then lose their legs and stay on on a spot protect by its hard shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of leave of absence . They have pierce lip part that suck the sap out of plant tissue . scale leaf can weaken a plant run to yellow leaf and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet marrow call honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive black Earth’s surface fungal growth address coal-black stamp .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are unvoiced to control . Isolate infest plants away from those that are not overrun . Consult your local garden nitty-gritty professional or Cooperative Extension office staff in your county for a legal good word regarding their control . advance rude enemies such as parasitic wasp in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is find on the surface of leave . It feed on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the foliage and stems of the industrial plant . The best way to control jet stamp is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty moulding can commonly be pass over from leaves with a damp cloth or washed away with a hosepipe - end sprayer .
