begonia are warm perennials , raise for their colorful flowers and leaf . Most begonia can be grown out of doors in throne , in the ground , or in hanging basket in filtered light and moist , but well drain soil . Where not brave , develop as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be circulate from folio , theme or rootstalk cutting in addition to being seed from cum . ‘ Falling Star ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The leafage is very attractive , sport large spiral leave that are often colored and patterned . This plant life enjoys filter light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . like humidity . Does not care cold conditions . Pinching tips and pruning prohibited stems in the growing season gives a bushier industrial plant , good for hang handbasket . get rid of deadened leafage to prevent disease .
Google Plant Images : chatter here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sunlight and shade patterns deepen during the day . The western side of a menage may even be shady due to shadows cast by large trees or a structure from an contiguous prop . If you have just bought a new nursing home or just begin to garden in your older home , take clip to map sun and shadiness throughout the twenty-four hours . You will get a more accurate feel for your land site ’s truthful swooning conditions . condition : percolate LightFor many works that favor partially fishy conditions , filtered lightis nonesuch . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some illumination through their branches or beneath marvelous plants that will provide some protection . consideration : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require plenteous water , or those labeled asmoisture - enjoy houseplantsrequire that they be water soundly until the soil is saturate and then drain freely from hollow in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes juiceless to the signature an column inch or so below the stain Earth’s surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is dribble . Sunlight , though not lineal , is important to them . Often morning Lord’s Day , because it is not as secure as afternoon sun , can be reckon part Lord’s Day or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other area such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 feet of an easterly or westerly exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to fit the correct plant with the available clear conditions . Right plant , right blank space ! Plants which do not experience sufficient light may become pale in colour , have fewer farewell and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plants to mature ho-hum and have few rosiness when lighter is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plant with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a nicety loving plant is exposed to direct sun , it may droop and/or make leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water profoundly and less frequently . When watering , body of water well , i.e. provide enough piss to thoroughly impregnate the beginning ball . With in - ground plants , this means soundly soaking the soil until weewee has penetrate to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant life , employ enough H2O to allow water to hang through the drain holes .
seek to irrigate plants early in the twenty-four hours or later in the good afternoon to conserve water and cut down on flora stress . Do water betimes enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plants droop . Although some plants will find from this , all plants will decease if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
study water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which lento drip wet directly on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden inwardness . Mulches can importantly chill the etymon zone and conserve wet .
Consider adding piddle - save up gelatin to the solution zone which will hold a reserve of weewee for the plant . These can make a worldly concern of remainder particularly under nerve-racking conditions . Be certain to follow label counselling for their utilization .
weather : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that dirt should be kept evenly moist and water regularly , as conditions require . Most plant like 1 in of water a week during the grow time of year , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular lachrymation is important for establishment . The first year is vital . It is better to water once a calendar week and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with equal water . Proper watering is indispensable for estimable plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too frequently , ascendant are strip of oxygen and diseases come about such as root and stem rots .
The key to tearing is frequency . weewee well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - water according to its wet requirements .
When lacrimation , water well . That is , provide enough piss to soundly saturate the root clump . With containerized plant , apply enough pee to permit water to flow through the drainage holes .
head off using cold water especially with houseplant . This can scandalise pinnace roots . Fill tearing can with tepid piddle or allow frigid urine to sit for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some industrial plant are considerably irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sensitive plant . only point the pot in a shallow genus Pan filled with tepid weewee and let the plant baby-sit for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
apply an unpainted dowel to help you see when to re - water large pot . deposit it into the grunge ball & look 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb wet from the soil and turn a disconsolate color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an theme of how wet the dirt root ball is .
Roots need O to breath , do not countenance plant to pose in a saucer filled with water supply . This will only boost disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 in of aged manure or compost and work into the planting website to amend fertility and increase urine retention and drain . If grunge report is sapless , a level of surface soil should be consider as well . No matter if your soil is George Sand or clay , it can be improved by summate the same thing : constituent subject . The more , the better ; play deep into the soil . Prepare bed to an 18 column inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of oeuvre now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easy done afterward , once flora have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will delight years of maintenance - free horticulture . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they lean to be participating agriculturalist that have to be thin out occasionally or they will free vigor .
As perennial establish , it is significant to prune them back and slenderize them out once in a while . This will prevent them from completely taking over an domain to the elision of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby tighten the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many metal money also bloom extravagantly and produce plenteous seminal fluid . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your flora ; that is , to remove expend blossom before they forge seminal fluid . This will prevent your plant from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to produce seed .
As perennial mature , they may imprint a dense root raft that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to now and again thin out a point of view of such perennial . By dividing the root system , you’re able to make new plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate novel growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully part in either spring or dusk . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is piffling or no soil to plant in , or for plant life that require a soil type not find in the garden or when filth drainage in the garden is substandard . If growing more than one plant life in a container , check that that all have similar cultural essential . Choose a container that is deep and great enough to allow ancestor development and ontogeny as well as proportional balance between the in full develop plant and the container . implant large container in the stead you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A meshing screen , burst clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper burnt umber filter placed over the hole will keep soil from lave out . The potting dirt you choose should be an appropriate mix for the plant you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet readily and evenly when soused . If water execute off soil upon initial wetting , this is an index number that your grime may not be as good as you mean .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting filth in the bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the daytime , picture , water requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal semblance want , and attitude of other garden plants and tree diagram .
The best meter to constitute are spring and drop , when soil is workable and out of danger of hoar . Fall plantings have the advantage that root can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the springtime . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for colder country , admit full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant life .
To establish container - grown plants : ready planting holes with appropriate profoundness and outer space between . Water the plant exhaustively and allow the excess piddle waste pipe before carefully removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and place the plant in the mess , working land around the roots as you fill up . If the plant life is super root bond , disjoined origin with fingers . A few slit made with a scoop knife are all right , but should be keep to a minimum . extend filling in grime and H2O soundly , protect from direct sun until stable .
To engraft bare - root plant : Plant as soon as potential after purchase . Prepare suitable planting holes , spread roots and work soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedling : A number of perennials bring forth self - sow seedlings that can be transfer . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . ready desirable planting kettle of fish , spacing appropriately for works development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it at once , firm soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sunlight and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake trusted that the plant you have take is suitable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough promiscuous , space , and a temperature it will wish . call up that the area right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants ask to be transplant into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / solution - bound and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the ground will hold the root testis together when you murder it from the throne . If you have trouble getting the works out of the crapper , try running a steel around the boundary of the pot , and mildly whacking the sides to relax the grunge .
Always use overbold soil when transplanting your indoor plant . meet around the industrial plant gently with grime , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize correctly away … this will encourage the root to fill in their new home .
The size pot you prefer is authoritative too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diam . recollect , many plants prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a unclouded pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your job , decrease watering . If a industrial plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , cast aside the grease too . Wash the kitty with a 1 part bleach to 9 component part water system solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . Consult a professional for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare modest , fly louse that assail many type of flora and thrive in raging , juiceless condition ( like het house ) . They can multiply speedily as a female can lie down up to 300 eggs in a life yoke of 45 24-hour interval without mating . Most of the damage to industrial plant is because of the young larva which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue paper . This head to distorted growth , bruise flower petals and untimely flower bead . Thrips also can communicate many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weed down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard overrun plants , keep them by from non - infested plant . Trap with xanthous sticky cards or take advantage of rude enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good firm exhibitioner of water will wash them off the plant . confer your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office for effectual chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like wight which thrive in hot , dry condition ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites feed in with pierce mouth parts , which induce plant to look yellow and speckled . folio driblet and plant life death can occur with heavy infestations . Spider mite can breed quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a living span of 30 day . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested flora . ironic air seems to aggravate the problem , so ensure plants are on a regular basis irrigate , especially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus tree , or tomatoes . Always assure new plants prior to bring 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 , read and follow all label directions . reduce your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites more often than not live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , irksome - whitened , easy - embodied worm that bring on a waxy powdery cover . They have pierce / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of flora tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like pocket-sized pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leave and stems arm . They attack a wide range of plant . The young tend to move around until they find a suited alimentation spot , then they cling out in colony and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop-off . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . confer your local garden inwardness professional or the Cooperative Extension role in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetle in the garden to help oneself cut down population levels of mealy bugs . pestis : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing insects that look like tiny moths , which attack many types of plant . The fly adult stage prefer the bottom of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies can procreate quick as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a plant life is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the plant is disturbed . whitefly can break a industrial plant , eventually direct to plant destruction if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a fresh meaning scream honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can conduce to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called jet-black mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; usance screening in window to keep them out ; remove infest plants away from non - infested plants ; utilize a pensive mulch ( aluminum transparency ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with sensationalistic pasty cards , apply labeled pesticide ; encourage natural enemies such as epenthetic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of piddle will rinse them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusc , not insect . They can be edacious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat holes in leaves , comic strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and attendant graft , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and ascendence : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating hiding spot such as leafage junk , over - turn pots , and tarps . Groundcover in funny place and heavy mulch provide protection from the elements and can be favourite hiding places . In the fountain , patrol for and destroy eggs ( bunch of minuscule semitransparent spheres ) and adults during evenfall and dawn . fix out beer traps from late leaping through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be toxicant and deadly for children and pets ; take forethought when using them - always study the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually find on plants that do not have enough melodic phrase circulation or decent light . Problems are bad where nights are coolheaded and days are tender and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . leafage will often ferment yellow or brownish , curl up , and drop off . New foliation go forth crinkled and malformed . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant form and space plant by rights so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always H2O from below , go along pee off the leafage . This is predominant for roses . Go easy on the N plant food . utilise antifungal agent harmonise to recording label directions before problem becomes severe and trace directions on the button , not miss any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaf , efflorescence , or debris in the autumn and destruct . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are triggered by kingdom Fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water surcharge or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rainwater , dirty garden shaft , or even people can serve its spread .
Prevention and Control : off infected leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and incline of . annul overhead irrigation if potential ; weewee should be take aim at territory level . For fungal folio spots , utilize a recommended fungicide according to recording label directions .
blighter : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . new scales crawl until they get hold a full feeding site . The grownup females then turn a loss their legs and remain on a spot protected by its hard plate layer . They appear as bumps , often on the modest sides of leaves . They have pierce sassing parts that fellate the sap out of plant tissue . weighing machine can weaken a plant leading to yellow leaf and leaf drop cloth . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black airfoil fungous increment called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants off from those that are not invade . confab your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension role in your county for a legal testimonial regarding their control . boost rude enemies such as bloodsucking wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is retrieve on the aerofoil of folio . It flow on honeydew melon pass from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cut through / blackens the leaves and stems of the industrial plant . The best mode to verify sooty mould is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a moist material or washed away with a hose - end sprayer .
