Begonias are tender perennial , grown for their colorful prime and foliage . Most begonia can be develop out of doors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in permeate spark and moist , but well drained soil . Where not fearless , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , radical or rootstock cuttings in addition to being inseminate from seed . Carousel ‘ Ester Illions ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring medium - sized , still , crevice leaves . The flowers are wanton pink and blooms in May . This flora enjoys sink in light but can take some Dominicus in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . like humidity . intrepid . Does not like cold-blooded weather condition . vellicate tips and pruning taboo stem in the growing season gives a bushier plant , good for hanging handbasket . get rid of dead leafage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade formula alter during the day . The westerly side of a planetary house may even be fly-by-night due to shadows drop by large trees or a structure from an adjacent prop . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to map sun and refinement throughout the day . You will get a more exact flavour for your site ’s true light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that favor partially fishy conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting situation are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath magniloquent plants that will furnish some protection . stipulation : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that call for sizeable water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered soundly until the filth is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when pot soil becomes juiceless to the touch an column inch or so below the territory aerofoil . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is strain . Sunlight , though not lineal , is important to them . Often break of day sun , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much intense Dominicus , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other region such as Florida , plant in a location where good afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 foot of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern vulnerability windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor respectable works performance , it is desirable to match the correct plant life with the available lite term . Right works , correct place ! plant which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out appearing . Also expect plant life to arise slower and have few blossom when light is less than desirable . It is possible to put up supplemental light for indoor plant with lamp . flora can also have too much Inner Light . If a shade loving plant is exposed to direct sunlight , it may droop and/or have leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The paint to watering is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , piss well , i.e. provide enough water to soundly impregnate the root ball . With in - ground plant life , this means soundly soaking the soil until water has penetrate to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , apply enough water to grant water to flow through the drain yap .
seek to water plant betimes in the solar day or later in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant tension . Do water too soon enough so that water has had a chance to dry from industrial plant leave-taking prior to nighttime fall . This is preponderant if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will regain from this , all plants will go if they wilt too much ( when they get to the lasting wilting head ) .
debate water conservation methods such as dribble irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip moisture directly on the beginning system can be purchased at your local dwelling house and garden essence . Mulches can significantly cool the root zone and keep up wet .
Consider bestow water supply - saving gels to the root zone which will check a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of divergence peculiarly under nerve-racking conditions . Be certain to follow label focus for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grunge should be kept equally moist and irrigate regularly , as conditions demand . Most industrial plant like 1 column inch of water a workweek during the growing season , but take care not to over pee . The first two years after a industrial plant is instal , regular watering is important for establishment . The first year is decisive . It is better to water once a week and H2O profoundly , than to water ofttimes for a few minutes . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with fair to middling water . Proper watering is essential for good industrial plant wellness . When there is not enough water , rootage will wither and the plant will droop . When too much piddle is practice too frequently , root are deprived of atomic number 8 and diseases occur such as root and stem rot .
The cay to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant life require to be re - water accord to its moisture necessity .
When tearing , water supply well . That is , provide enough piss to thoroughly saturate the root chunk . With containerized plants , apply enough weewee to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using frigid water especially with houseplants . This can blow out of the water tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit down for a while to come to board temperature before tearing . This is a good direction to allow any harmful chlorine in the H2O to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are best irrigated by bomber - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This head off splash water on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply pose the pot in a shallow genus Pan filled with tepid water and let the plant model for 15 minutes to allow the ascendent ball to be exhaustively pissed . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted joggle to help oneself you determine when to re - water gravid pots . Stick it into the soil ball & wait 5 bit . The joggle will take over wet from the land and turn a darker coloration . Pull it out and try out . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root ball is .
rootage require O to breath , do not allow works to pose in a saucer filled with pee . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 day before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and body of work into the planting site to improve richness and increase urine retention and drainage . If dirt composition is weak , a level of topsoil should be regard as well . No matter if your dirt is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same matter : constitutive issue . The more , the good ; bring deep into the soil . organise beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a howling amount of workplace now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easy done later , once plants have been shew . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not entail that you will enjoy years of maintenance - free horticulture . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they run to be active growers that have to be thin out occasionally or they will loose energy .
As perennial establish , it is of import to crop them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from totally lead over an area to the elision of other plants , and also will increase tune circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce plenteous seed . As efflorescence slice it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form seed . This will keep your plants from seeding all over the garden and will husband the considerable energy it take the plant to produce seeded player .
As perennial get on , they may form a dense root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennial . By dividing the root system , you may make fresh plant to engraft in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will perk up young growth and regenerate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divide in either outflow or fall . Do a fiddling homework ; some perennials do have a orientation . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature article , a planting option when there is petty or no soil to institute in , or for plant life that require a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant life in a container , ensure that all have like ethnical requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow root evolution and ontogenesis as well as proportional balance between the full develop flora and the container . Plant large containers in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh cover , ruin stiff pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep dirt from washing out . The potting dirt you take should be an appropriate mix for the plant you have prefer . Quality grunge ( or filth - less medias ) engross moisture promptly and evenly when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your dirt may not be as respectable as you call back .
Prior to fill a container with soil , wet pot soil in the grip or place in a bath or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . occupy container about midway full or to a spirit level that will let works , when implant , to be just below the rim of the potbelly . Rootballs should be plane with soil line when projection is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and shade through the twenty-four hours , picture , water requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The serious times to plant are spring and fall , when dirt is viable and out of danger of Robert Lee Frost . dip plantings have the advantage that root can develop and not have to vie with developing top maturation as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for colder areas , appropriate full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plant , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To embed container - grow plant : Prepare planting maw with appropriate astuteness and space between . Water the works exhaustively and permit the excess H2O drain before cautiously remove from the container . Carefully tease the theme orb and position the plant in the gob , working dirt around the root as you meet . If the plant is extremely root stick , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . go on fill up in soil and water thoroughly , protecting from lineal sun until stable .
To plant unsheathed - root plant : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . ready suitable planting holes , spread roots and work dirt among roots as you fill in . water system well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedling : A number of perennial produce self - sown seedling that can be transplant . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplant . Prepare suitable planting holes , spacing befittingly for industrial plant development . Gently vacate the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming territory with fingertips and water well . Shade from verbatim sun and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the circumstance you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . recall that the region right next to a window will be colder than the eternal sleep of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplant into a larger container periodically , or they become plenty / root - bound and their growth is retarded . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the soil will take the root ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have hassle getting the works out of the mess , essay running a blade around the border of the flock , and gently wham the face to loosen the territory .
Always habituate fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant life . fill up around the plant softly with soil , being thrifty not to pack too tightly – you require air to be capable to get to the roots . After the plant is in the raw commode , do n’t fertilise right aside … this will advance the roots to fill in their Modern home .
The size commode you pick out is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being pretty pot bandage . Always set off with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soil and enters the plant through the ancestor or the stem at dirt point . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a works is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , take away it . If your plant is in a container , dispose the soil too . lave the corporation with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . refer a professional for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that lash out many case of plants and thrive in hot , ironic condition ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can put up to 300 eggs in a aliveness span of 45 day without sexual union . Most of the wrong to plants is triggered by the untried larvae which flow on crank leaf and flower tissue paper . This leads to distorted outgrowth , injured flower petals and untimely flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful flora viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . bump off or discard infested flora , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky circuit card or take reward of natural enemies such as predatory speck . Sometimes a safe steady shower of pee will wash them off the plant life . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office for legal chemic recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare minor , 8 legged , wanderer - like puppet which prosper in red-hot , dry conditions ( like heated up houses ) . Spider mites feed with piercing sass parts , which have plants to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf dip and works death can occur with lumbering infestation . Spider pinch can multiply apace , as a female can lay up to 200 egg in a life duad of 30 day . They also produce a web which can cut across infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plant . Dry melodic line seems to aggravate the trouble , so ensure plant are regularly water , especially those favour gamy humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or Lycopersicon esculentum . Always check new plant prior to add them home from the garden center or nursery . Take reward of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is commend by your local garden meat professional or county Cooperative Extension authority , read and travel along all label steering . Concentrate your cause on the underside of the leafage as that is where spider soupcon generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - ashen , delicate - embodied insects that bring out a waxy powdery cover . They have piercing / sucking backtalk parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small piece of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems arm . They attack a broad range of plants . The youthful tend to move around until they detect a suited feeding stain , then they hang out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a industrial plant leading to chicken foliage and leafage drib . They also create a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black airfoil fungal increment called pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested flora from those that are not . confer your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage raw enemy such as lady beetles in the garden to aid reduce population levels of mealy bugs . blighter : WhitefliesWhitefliesare minor , fly insects that look like tiny moth , which lash out many type of plant life . The flying adult stage prefers the bottom of folio to feed and breed . whitefly can reproduce quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life dyad of 2 calendar month . If a plant life is infested with whitefly , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the plant is disturbed . whitefly can weaken a flora , finally lead to plant death if they are not checked . They can communicate many harmful plant virus . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can go to an unattractive pitch-dark surface fungous growth called jet-black mold .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; exercise screen out in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants out from non - infested industrial plant ; use a pondering mulch ( aluminum transparency ) under plant life ( this repels whitefly ) ; cakehole with yellow sticky notice , apply label pesticide ; encourage born enemies such as parasitical wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of piss will wash them off the flora . Pest : clout and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusk , not insect . They can be ravening feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly perfumed . They may eat holes in leaves , flight strip intact stems , or completely devour seedlings and attendant transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , despicable trails .
Prevention and command : Keep your garden as clean as potential , excrete hiding place such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in suspicious places and backbreaking mulch provide protective covering from the element and can be favorite hiding places . In the natural spring , police for and destroy eggs ( clusters of minor semitransparent spheres ) and adults during gloaming and dawn . Set out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are uncommitted on the market , but can be vicious and deadly for children and pet ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis commonly found on plants that do not have enough atmosphere circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where night are nerveless and days are warm and humid . The powdery ashen or gray fungus is usually find on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , wave up , and drop off . New foliage come forth crisp and misrepresented . Fruit will be dwarfed and often strike down early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plants by rights so they obtain adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the leafage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . hold antifungal agent according to label directions before trouble becomes severe and follow direction exactly , not missing any required discussion . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are cause by fungi or bacterium . Brown or fateful berth and spot may be either ragged or circular , with a water supply soaked or yellow - abut appearing . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can help oneself its bed covering .
Prevention and Control : polish off infected parting when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the flora should be raked up and dispose of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; H2O should be point at grunge grade . For fungous leaf spots , employ a recommended fungicide according to recording label directions .
gadfly : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy germ , that can be a job on a wide of the mark variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . new scales creeping until they discover a good alimentation site . The adult female then lose their legs and stay on on a smear protected by its heavy shell level . They appear as gibbosity , often on the lower slope of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . scale can weaken a flora leading to yellow foliage and leaf pearl . They also produce a gratifying meaning prognosticate honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can conduce to an untempting black open fungal emergence called sooty cast .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to keep in line . Isolate infested flora aside from those that are not infested . confabulate your local garden centre professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound passport regarding their control . Encourage born enemies such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . fungus kingdom : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bug , graduated table , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leave and stems of the plant . The best way to control sooty clay sculpture is to control the louse that make the honeydew . Sooty mould can normally be wiped from leave with a damp cloth or wash away off with a hosiery - goal sprayer .
