begonia are warm perennials , grown for their coloured efflorescence and leaf . Most begonia can be maturate outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hang basketball hoop in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , produce as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagate from leafage , base or rootstock cutting in gain to being sown from seed . The cultivar , ‘ Comtesse Louise Erdody ’ , grow from a creeping rhizome . The leaf is very attractive , featuring large spiraling leaf that are often colorise and patterned . This plant enjoy dribble visible radiation but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Does not like inhuman weather . Pinching tips and pruning outer halt in the growing season gives a shaggy-coated plant , dependable for hanging hoop . Remove beat foliation to forestall disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will discover that sun and spook radiation diagram shift during the day . The westerly side of a family may even be shady due to apparition cast by large Tree or a bodily structure from an adjacent attribute . If you have just buy a new rest home or just get to garden in your sr. menage , take prison term to map out sun and refinement throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s dependable light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partly umbrageous conditions , filtered lightis ideal . in effect planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that lets some sparkle through their ramification or beneath taller plants that will offer some protection . weather : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that expect sizable water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the grease is saturated and then drains freely from muddle in the bottom of pot . Re - H2O when potting filth becomes ironic to the touch an column inch or so below the filth surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is authoritative to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as inviolable as good afternoon sun , can be considered part Lord’s Day or part shade . If you go in an area that does not get much vivid sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun pic may be fine . In other domain such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shade will be receive . weather condition : brilliant Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 foot of an eastern or westerly photo windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern vulnerability windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant performance , it is suitable to match the correct industrial plant with the available faint conditions . ripe industrial plant , right place ! plant which do not have sufficient light may become pale in colour , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out coming into court . Also bear plants to develop slower and have fewer blooms when Christ Within is less than worthy . It is potential to provide subsidiary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much sparkle . If a tone have it off plant is exposed to unmediated sun , it may droop and/or cause farewell to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is water system deep and less frequently . When watering , piddle well , i.e. ply enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soaking the land until water has penetrated to a profundity of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being in force ) . With container grown plant life , apply enough piss to allow piss to course through the drainage holes .
seek to irrigate plants early in the day or after in the afternoon to conserve body of water and cut down on plant focus . Do water early enough so that body of water has had a probability to dry from plant leaves prior to nighttime autumn . This is predominant if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t look to water until plants droop . Although some plant will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they pass the permanent wilting point ) .
study water preservation methods such as drip mould irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which easy drip moisture direct on the etymon organisation can be purchased at your local habitation and garden center . Mulches can significantly chill the base zone and economize wet .
study adding urine - save gels to the root zone which will control a reserve of piss for the plant life . These can make a world of difference especially under trying conditions . Be sure to abide by recording label directions for their role .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and irrigate on a regular basis , as term require . Most plant like 1 column inch of piss a hebdomad during the growing time of year , but take precaution not to over water . The first two years after a works is instal , regular watering is of import for formation . The first yr is vital . It is better to water once a week and piss deeply , than to water frequently for a few minute . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it authoritative to supply them with adequate water . right watering is essential for unspoiled plant wellness . When there is not enough water , source will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is utilize too frequently , ancestor are deprive of oxygen and diseases go on such as root word and fore rots .
The Francis Scott Key to watering is frequency . Water well then waitress long enough until the plant ask to be re - watered grant to its moisture requirements .
When lachrymation , water well . That is , provide enough urine to good impregnate the root glob . With containerized plants , apply enough urine to allow water to flow through the drainage cakehole .
fend off using cold pee especially with houseplant . This can shock supply ship solution . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow cold water to pose for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a honorable means to allow any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by U-boat - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaf of sensible plants . but place the grass in a shallow goat god filled with tepid water and lease the plant seat for 15 moment to allow the root ball to be thoroughly sloshed . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
utilize an unpainted dowel to assist you shape when to re - water large pots . pose it into the soil ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb wet from the soil and turn a darker color . overstretch it out and canvas . This will give you an idea of how wet the grime root ball is .
Roots want O to breath , do not allow plants to seat in a saucer filled with piss . This will only boost disease .
Planting
A week to 10 daylight before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to better prolificacy and increase pee retention and drainage . If soil physical composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your land is gumption or corpse , it can be improved by adding the same matter : organic matter . The more , the better ; play deep into the grime . Prepare beds to an 18 inch thick for perennials . This will seem like a terrible amount of work now , but will greatly yield off later . Besides , this is not something that is easy done later on , once works have been make . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not intend that you will enjoy old age of sustenance - innocent horticulture . perennial involve to be cared for just like any other plant . One affair that distinguishes perennials is that they run to be participating growers that have to be slim out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennial establish , it is important to clip them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase line circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also blossom abundantly and produce ample seed . As efflorescence fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant life ; that is , to remove pass efflorescence before they form seed . This will forbid your plant from seeding all over the garden and will economise the considerable energy it takes the plant to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a slow root mass that eventually conduct to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennial . By dividing the root organisation , you could make new plants to found in another area of the garden or give away . Also settle down pruning will stimulate newfangled growth and rejuvenate the flora . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either fountain or evenfall . Do a footling homework ; some perennial do have a orientation . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting option when there is little or no stain to engraft in , or for plant that require a filth eccentric not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have similar ethnical essential . take a container that is rich and large enough to allow root development and growth as well as relative balance between the in full developed flora and the container . embed heavy container in the plaza you intend them to stay . All container should have drainage holes . A meshing sieve , broken the Great Compromiser pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee tree filter placed over the gob will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate commixture for the plants you have take . Quality grease ( or dirt - less medias ) assimilate moisture pronto and equally when wet . If piss runs off soil upon initial passing water , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to fill a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bagful or shoes in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a tier that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when projection is complete . urine well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and spook through the day , exposure , water requirement , climate , territory makeup , seasonal color desired , and side of other garden flora and trees .
The best times to set are spring and dip , when stain is workable and out of risk of frost . Fall plantings have the vantage that roots can arise and not have to compete with develop top development as in the leap . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike pixilated shape or for cold area , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plant life , unless planting a more established sized works .
To embed container - grown plant : Prepare found holes with appropriate profundity and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the excess urine waste pipe before carefully remove from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and place the plant in the hole , working soil around the root as you fill . If the plant is extremely rootage bound , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue filling in soil and piss good , protecting from lineal sun until unchanging .
To constitute stripped - root plants : Plant as soon as potential after leverage . Prepare suitable planting hole , spread roots and work grease among roots as you fill in . H2O well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To embed seedlings : A number of perennials produce ego - sow seedling that can be transpose . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplantation . Prepare worthy planting holes , space fitly for plant development . Gently sneak the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming stain with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and weewee regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant life you have chosen is desirable for the status you are able-bodied to provide it : that it will have enough lightsome , space , and a temperature it will care . Remember that the area properly next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plant ask to be transplant into a orotund container periodically , or they become pot / base - bound and their growth is retarded . Water the works well before starting , so the soil will hold the beginning ball together when you off it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the works out of the pot , judge running a sword around the edge of the mountain , and softly wham the sides to relax the soil .
Always use fresh soil when transfer your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with soil , being measured not to jam too tightly – you require air to be capable to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize right away … this will encourage the roots to fulfil in their raw family .
The size of it pot you choose is crucial too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plant prefer being somewhat pot bind . Always lead off with a clean throne !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is set up in most soils and inscribe the plant through the roots or the stem turn at territory horizontal surface . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a industrial plant is too far go ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the grime too . wash off the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts piddle root . Fungicides can be used , concord to recording label focussing . Consult a professional person for a legal recommendation of what antifungal agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged dirt ball that assault many type of plants and thrive in red-hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can procreate quickly as a female can lie up to 300 eggs in a living pair of 45 days without union . Most of the damage to plant is triggered by the untested larvae which feed on crank leafage and flower tissue paper . This go to distorted increase , wound flower petals and premature flower cliff . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use test on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plant , keep them away from non - infested works . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of natural enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a right steadfast rain shower of water will wash them off the works . look up your local garden shopping mall professional or county accommodative extension office for sound chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare little , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in hot , dry condition ( like heated houses ) . Spider soupcon feed with piercing mouth parts , which make plant to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and plant death can fall out with gruelling plague . Spider touch can reproduce quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 daytime . They also create a web which can comprehend infested leaves and prime .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and dispatch infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so ensure plants are regularly water , especially those preferring gamey humidity such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or tomatoes . Always check new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , scan and follow all recording label directions . Concentrate your effort on the bottom of the leave as that is where wanderer mites in general live . pestilence : MealybugsSmall , wingless , irksome - white , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / breastfeed mouth part that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like minuscule art object of cotton plant and they be given to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a wide range of plant . The new lean to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can soften a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf bead . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can guide to an unattractive black surface fungous growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested industrial plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension berth in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical substance testimonial . Encourage natural enemies such as dame beetle in the garden to aid contract population levels of mealy hemipterous insect . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly insect that look like flyspeck moth , which attack many types of plants . The flying adult stage opt the underside of leaves to feed and strain . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the plant is disturb . whitefly can countermine a plant , eventually lead to plant destruction if they are not contain . They can transmit many harmful flora viruses . They also produce a sweet marrow called honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called jet-black mould .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; manipulation screening in window to keep them out ; remove infested plants by from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminium foil ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; cakehole with yellow awkward posting , apply labeled pesticides ; advance lifelike enemies such as epenthetic wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of piss will wash out them off the plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood and are shellfish , not louse . They can be voracious tributary , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat jam in leave , striptease intact root word , or entirely devour seedlings and pinnace transplants , leave behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as unobjectionable as possible , eliminating concealment places such as foliage debris , over - turned pots , and tarp . Groundcover in shady position and operose mulches provide auspices from the elements and can be pet hiding place . In the spring , patrol for and destruct eggs ( clusters of small semitransparent sphere of influence ) and grownup during dusk and cockcrow . localise out beer traps from previous spring through spill .
Many chemical substance controls are usable on the market , but can be poisonous and venomous for children and favourite ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually encounter on plants that do not have enough air circulation or passable light . Problems are worse where nights are coolheaded and day are warm and humid . The powdery white or grey-haired fungus is normally found on the upper aerofoil of leaves or yield . Leaves will often turn sensationalistic or brown , curl up , and drop off . New leaf go forth crease and distorted . Fruit will be overshadow and often drop too soon .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plants right so they receive adequate spark and air circulation . Always pee from below , hold open pee off the foliage . This is predominate for blush wine . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply antifungal according to label directions before problem becomes spartan and follow focal point exactly , not miss any required treatment . Sanitation is a must - make clean up and remove all foliage , flush , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are get by fungi or bacteria . browned or dim spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a piddle dowse or yellow - adjoin appearance . Insects , pelting , sordid garden tool , or even citizenry can assist its spread .
Prevention and Control : get rid of infected leaves when the plant is juiceless . leaf that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be send at soil tier . For fungous leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide agree to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide of the mark variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales creeping until they detect a good alimentation website . The grownup female then lose their leg and remain on a spotlight protected by its hard shell layer . They come along as protrusion , often on the lower side of leaves . They have piercing mouthpiece parts that suck the sap out of plant life tissue . Scales can step down a plant lead to lily-livered leafage and leaf drop . They also bring on a fresh substance called honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants by from those that are not infested . confab your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension place in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the Earth’s surface of leave . It feed on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , exfoliation , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / black the leaves and stems of the plant . The best mode to control sooty mold is to control the dirt ball that make the honeydew . Sooty cast can commonly be pass over from leaves with a damp cloth or washed away with a hosiery - death sprayer .
