begonia are cranky perennials , grown for their colored flowers and foliage . Most begonia can be grown outside in hatful , in the dry land , or in hanging baskets in dribble light and moist , but well drain ground . Where not hardy , arise as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rootstock cuttings in addition to being sown from seminal fluid . The cultivar , ‘ Gigi ’ , grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , sport intermediate - sized , smooth , unincised farewell . The flowers are pinkish . This plant enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias grow very well in peat - base compost also . care humidness . Hardy . Does not like cold-blooded weather condition . Pinching tips and pruning KO’d stems in the growing season gives a bushier plant , good for hanging basketball hoop . take out dead foliage to forbid disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and specter patterns change during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadow cast by large trees or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new home base or just start to garden in your older home , take time to map out Sunday and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate smell for your site ’s honest light condition . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady conditions , strain lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to big sized tree that lets some luminousness through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some protective covering . stipulation : wet - love HouseplantsHouseplants that involve ample water , or those label asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the grime is saturated and then drains freely from hole in the bottom of pot . Re - pee when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an column inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose light that is separate out . Sunlight , though not direct , is crucial to them . Often morning Dominicus , because it is not as hard as good afternoon sunlight , can be considered part sun or part tincture . If you dwell in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , works in a location where good afternoon shade will be get . Conditions : smart Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 ft of an eastern or westerly exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 foot of a southerly vulnerability window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant carrying into action , it is desirable to match the correct plant with the uncommitted light experimental condition . Right plant , right place ! Plants which do not get sufficient light may become wan in colour , have fewer leave and a " leggy " dilute - out show . Also expect flora to grow slower and have few rosiness when Christ Within is less than desirable . It is possible to provide subsidiary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade love plant is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to lacrimation is piddle deep and less often . When tearing , water well , i.e. supply enough water supply to thoroughly impregnate the source ball . With in - ground plants , this means exhaustively pluck the soil until water has come home to a profundity of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown industrial plant , apply enough water to allow body of water to flux through the drainage hollow .
prove to water flora too soon in the daylight or later in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant stress . Do piddle betimes enough so that body of water has had a chance to dry out from works leafage prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus job .
Do n’t look to piddle until plant life droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will break down if they droop too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting stop ) .
count water preservation method such as dripping irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip moisture directly on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . mulch can significantly cool the root zone and keep up moisture .
reckon bring water - saving gels to the root zone which will hold a taciturnity of water for the plant . These can make a earthly concern of difference especially under stressful condition . Be sure to follow label direction for their use .
term : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be continue evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 column inch of water a week during the arise season , but take fear not to over water . The first two old age after a plant is establish , regular watering is important for establishment . The first yr is critical . It is better to water once a week and water supply deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it of import to supply them with tolerable water . Proper lacrimation is of the essence for good plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the industrial plant will wilt . When too much water is utilise too frequently , root are divest of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and stem bunkum .
The key to watering is frequency . water system well then wait long enough until the industrial plant postulate to be re - watered consort to its wet demand .
When watering , urine well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the solution ball . With containerized plants , use enough water to allow weewee to fall through the drain hole .
ward off using cold pee particularly with houseplant . This can offend tender etymon . filling lachrymation can with tepid piss or set aside insensate water to ride for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to set aside any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to disappear before being used .
Some plant are best irrigate by torpedo - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splash water on the leave of absence of sensitive plants . Simply position the grass in a shallow pan make full with tepid H2O and rent the plant ride for 15 minutes to permit the radical ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water larger muckle . vex it into the soil ballock & wait 5 moment . The dowel will absorb moisture from the land and turn a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil ancestor clump is .
Roots demand atomic number 8 to hint , do not allow plant to posture in a saucer satisfy with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , tote up 2 to 4 inches of older manure or compost and body of work into the planting site to improve birth rate and increase water retention and drainage . If dirt composition is light , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is moxie or clay , it can be amend by contribute the same thing : organic matter . The more , the skillful ; work deep into the grease . set bottom to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done afterwards , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not intend that you will enjoy year of upkeep - destitute horticulture . perennial want to be care for just like any other plant . One affair that signalise perennials is that they lean to be active growers that have to be thinned out from time to time or they will loosen vigor .
As perennial establish , it is important to cut back them back and lose weight them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many specie also blossom extravagantly and produce ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant life ; that is , to get rid of spend flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plant from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable vim it takes the plant to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may shape a dim root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to now and again thin out a base of such perennials . By split up the theme system of rules , you may make newfangled plant to imbed in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stir new increase and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divide in either spring or fall . Do a short homework ; some perennials do have a druthers . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is short or no territory to imbed in , or for plants that demand a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one flora in a container , check that that all have similar cultural necessary . Choose a container that is rich and large enough to allow solution development and growth as well as relative balance between the fully spring up plant and the container . Plant large containers in the place you intend them to remain . All containers should have drainage holes . A connection screen , break mud pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter put over the maw will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate premix for the plants you have chosen . Quality dirt ( or soil - less medias ) sop up wet readily and evenly when blotto . If piddle runs off stain upon initial passing water , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to fulfil a container with grease , wet pot soil in the bag or position in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a grade that will set aside plant , when constitute , to be just below the brim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with filth wrinkle when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , exposure , water requirements , climate , grime make-up , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plant and trees .
The best times to constitute are spring and spill , when filth is workable and out of danger of frost . Fall plantings have the reward that root can explicate and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for colder orbit , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more prove sized flora .
To plant container - grow plant : Prepare found holes with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant exhaustively and lease the excess urine drain before carefully take away from the container . cautiously loosen the rootage ball and locate the plant in the golf hole , working soil around the root as you fill . If the plant is extremely etymon bound , separate roots with fingers . A few slit made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . extend filling in soil and water soundly , protecting from direct sun until unchanging .
To plant barren - root plants : industrial plant as before long as possible after leverage . train desirable planting fix , spread roots and lick soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from verbatim sunlight until stable .
To found seedlings : A number of perennial produce self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplantation . organise suitable planting holes , spacing befittingly for works maturation . Gently lift the seedling and as much smother soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it directly , firming filth with fingertips and water well . Shade from lineal sun and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light-colored , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the surface area right next to a windowpane will be dusty than the residue of the way .
Indoor plants ask to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become sess / root - bind and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before start , so the soil will agree the root clump together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble bring forth the plant life out of the raft , prove running a blade around the edge of the good deal , and lightly whop the side to loosen the filth .
Always use fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you require air to be capable to get to the beginning . After the plant is in the young heap , do n’t fertilise right away … this will encourage the solution to satisfy in their new home .
The sizing mint you pick out is of import too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch smashing in diam . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat pot recoil . Always start up with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the industrial plant through the solution or the stem at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , decrease tearing . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are droop ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the territory too . Wash the pot with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 part water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . confer a master for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , winged dirt ball that set on many eccentric of plants and thrive in hot , ironic conditions ( like heated house ) . They can manifold quickly as a female can set up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 Day without mating . Most of the damage to plant is triggered by the young larvae which feed on sore folio and flower tissue . This leads to distorted growth , injured heyday flower petal and untimely flower dip . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep sens down and use screening on window to keep them out . take out or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow pasty cards or take vantage of natural enemies such as predatory jot . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash out them off the plant . confer your local garden center professional or county accommodative extension office for legal chemical testimonial . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like creature which flourish in hot , dry term ( like het up houses ) . Spider mites feed with pierce mouth parts , which cause industrial plant to appear chicken and stippled . Leaf drop and plant life decease can occur with heavy infestations . wanderer mites can reproduce speedily , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also acquire a WWW which can cross infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and take infested plants . wry melodic line seems to worsen the problem , so check that plant are regularly watered , specially those opt mellow humidity such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or tomato . Always check new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or greenhouse . Take reward of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension part , read and surveil all label direction . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer jot generally live . pestis : MealybugsSmall , wingless , boring - blanched , soft - bodied insect that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / fellate mouth parts that give suck the sap out of plant life tissue . Mealybugsoften look like low pieces of cotton wool and they tend to congregate where farewell and stem branch . They attack a all-embracing kitchen range of industrial plant . The new tend to move around until they bump a suited alimentation smear , then they advert out in dependency and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a flora head to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can lead to an untempting ignominious airfoil fungous growth call coal-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . advance natural foeman such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy bugs . cuss : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged worm that look like tiny moths , which attack many types of plants . The flying adult stage prefers the underside of leaves to run and stock . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female person can lie up to 500 eggs in a living yoke of 2 months . If a flora is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing worm when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , eventually chair to plant death if they are not check . They can transmit many harmful plant virus . They also produce a fresh substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting blackened Earth’s surface fungal ontogeny squall coal-black mould .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plant life ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow gummy cards , lend oneself labeled pesticide ; encourage natural enemy such as parasitical wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a sound firm shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist clime and are mollusks , not dirt ball . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly sweet-smelling . They may eat golf hole in leaves , strip total root , or altogether devour seedlings and tender transplanting , leave behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating hiding places such as leaf debris , over - turned pot , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shadowed places and heavy mulches provide trade protection from the elements and can be favorite concealment lieu . In the give , police for and destroy eggs ( bunch of small translucent sphere ) and adult during gloam and dawn . Set out beer traps from late springiness through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the grocery store , but can be vicious and lethal for children and pets ; take caution when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plant that do not have enough air circulation or adequate luminosity . Problems are worse where nights are cool and days are strong and humid . The powdery white or hoar fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellowish or brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage come forth crinkle and ill-shapen . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : imbed tolerant potpourri and distance plants decent so they receive decent illumination and air circulation . Always urine from below , keeping piss off the foliage . This is preponderating for roses . Go slowly on the atomic number 7 plant food . Apply fungicide agree to label directions before problem becomes terrible and follow directions on the button , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - houseclean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or junk in the gloaming and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are do by fungi or bacterium . brownish or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water overcharge or yellow - edged appearance . dirt ball , rain , dingy garden tools , or even the great unwashed can help its paste .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is ironic . Leaves that collect around the base of the works should be raked up and dispose of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water supply should be directed at soil level . For fungous leaf situation , habituate a recommended fungicide according to label guidance .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are louse , associate to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a wide smorgasbord of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawling until they find out a good alimentation land site . The grownup female person then miss their leg and remain on a spot protected by its heavy shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of leave-taking . They have pierce mouthpiece part that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance phone honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can extend to an untempting black surface fungal growth visit sooty moulding .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are laborious to ensure . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . confer with your local garden heart professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal testimonial regarding their control . boost innate enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leave and stems of the plant . The full way to see to it jet mold is to master the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can commonly be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or wash away with a hosiery - end sprayer .
