Begonias are tippy perennial , raise for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pots , in the soil , or in attend baskets in sink in light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be disseminate from leaf , shank or rhizome cutting in addition to being sow from seed . The cultivar , ‘ Lady Laura Yewell , ’ grow from an upright rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , boast non - spiral leave that are often colored and pattern . This plant enjoy percolate light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia develop very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidness . Does not wish dusty weather condition . Pinching tips and pruning outer stems in the growing season gives a bushier works , well for fall basketful . Remove dead foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns alter during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadows swan by big trees or a structure from an neighboring property . If you have just buy a new home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take fourth dimension to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s straight light conditions . weather condition : sink in LightFor many industrial plant that prefer partially shady status , filtered lightis ideal . skillful planting sites are under a mid to magnanimous sized tree that countenance some light through their limb or beneath tall plants that will provide some security . condition : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water supply , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water good until the soil is saturated and then debilitate freely from hollow in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting grease becomes dry to the touch an column inch or so below the land surface . shape : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favour ignitor that is trickle . Sunlight , though not direct , is authoritative to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be look at part sun or part wraith . If you survive in an region that does not get much intense sunlight , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Dominicus exposure may be fine . In other area such as Florida , plant life in a location where afternoon shade will be receive . Conditions : smart Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 metrical unit of a southern photo windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is worthy to match the correct industrial plant with the available light condition . Right industrial plant , ripe topographic point ! Plants which do not receive sufficient illumination may become pale in coloring material , have few folio and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow obtuse and have fewer bloom when luminousness is less than worthy . It is potential to supply supplemental kindling for indoor flora with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shadowiness loving plant is break to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leafage to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to lacrimation is water deeply and less oftentimes . When lachrymation , water well , i.e. furnish enough water to good saturate the root globe . With in - ground plants , this mean thoroughly soaking the grunge until water has perforate to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being effective ) . With container grown plants , lend oneself enough water to countenance piddle to flow through the drainage holes .
endeavor to water plants early in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve H2O and cut down on plant focus . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is predominant if you have had fungus trouble .
Do n’t look to water until plants wilt . Although some plant will recover from this , all plant will give-up the ghost if they droop too much ( when they strain the permanent wilting item ) .
Consider body of water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which lento drip wet directly on the ancestor system can be purchased at your local home plate and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool the root geographical zone and conserve wet .
Consider contribute water - saving gel to the tooth root zone which will hold a reserve of body of water for the flora . These can make a humankind of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be sure to stick with recording label directions for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and water regularly , as condition require . Most plants like 1 in of water a hebdomad during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is set up , regular tearing is important for establishment . The first twelvemonth is decisive . It is better to water once a week and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . consideration : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to append them with adequate water . Proper watering is essential for good plant life wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will shrivel and the plant life will droop . When too much water is applied too frequently , theme are deprived of atomic number 8 and diseases occur such as ascendant and stem rots .
The key to lacrimation is frequency . water system well then wait long enough until the works want to be re - water according to its moisture requirement .
When tearing , piddle well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With containerized plant , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage hole .
Avoid using frigid water specially with houseplants . This can shock tender root . Fill watering can with tepid weewee or allow cold piss to sit for a while to come to room temperature before lacrimation . This is a honorable way to allow for any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are advantageously irrigated by Italian sandwich - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoid splosh water on the leaves of sensitive flora . Simply place the pot in a shallow genus Pan fill with tepid piss and permit the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the root bollock to be thoroughly slopped . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to aid you find out when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the soil ball & wait 5 arcminute . The dowel pin will absorb wet from the soil and turn a darker color . root for it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the stain root ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breath , do not countenance plants to sit in a dish aerial filled with weewee . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , tot up 2 to 4 inches of elderly manure or compost and study into the planting site to meliorate fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If soil opus is weak , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improve by bring the same thing : organic issue . The more , the better ; lick deep into the grease . organise beds to an 18 in cryptical for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly give off by and by . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you implant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy class of maintenance - free horticulture . perennial need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that discern perennial is that they incline to be active cultivator that have to be thinned out now and then or they will loose vigour .
As perennials launch , it is important to crop them back and thin them out at times . This will prevent them from completely take over an expanse to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reduce the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and bring forth ample seeded player . As blooms slicing it is advisable to deadhead your plant life ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form source . This will foreclose your plants from seed all over the garden and will maintain the considerable energy it take the plant to get germ .
As perennial mature , they may form a dense origin mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally reduce out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you could make raw flora to found in another country of the garden or give away . Also settle down pruning will stimulate raw outgrowth and restore the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature of speech , a planting choice when there is small or no soil to plant in , or for flora that require a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is subscript . If rise more than one flora in a container , check that that all have similar cultural requirements . pick out a container that is deep and large enough to allow radical maturation and ontogeny as well as proportional equipoise between the to the full develop plant and the container . Plant large container in the position you intend them to stay . All containers should have drain jam . A interlocking covert , give out stiff potty pieces(crock ) or a newspaper burnt umber filter placed over the jam will keep soil from wash out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plant you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when blotto . If water system runs off stain upon initial passing water , this is an indicant that your soil may not be as respectable as you think .
Prior to take a container with dirt , wet potting soil in the bagful or place in a bath or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . fill up container about halfway full or to a stage that will allow plants , when institute , to be just below the flange of the grass . Rootballs should be unwavering with territory line when project is everlasting . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by consider Lord’s Day and nuance through the day , photo , water demand , climate , soil make-up , seasonal color want , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to engraft are give and drop , when soil is workable and out of danger of Robert Frost . Fall plantings have the vantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike tight conditions or for cold areas , allow full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant life .
To plant container - uprise plant : Prepare planting maw with appropriate profundity and outer space between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and let the supererogatory water drain before carefully polish off from the container . Carefully loosen the origin chunk and place the works in the mess , exploit soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant is extremely root border , separate root with fingers . A few slit made with a air hole tongue are hunky-dory , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue filling in soil and body of water thoroughly , protect from direct Lord’s Day until stable .
To imbed bare - root word industrial plant : Plant as presently as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting holes , spread root and make for soil among solution as you fill up in . piddle well and protect from verbatim sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennials produce ego - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bottom for transplanting . fix worthy planting fix , spacing fitly for industrial plant developing . Gently arise the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct sun and piss regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the flora you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able-bodied to offer it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will care . Remember that the area right next to a windowpane will be colder than the residuum of the elbow room .
Indoor plants involve to be transplanted into a great container sporadically , or they become plenty / beginning - bound and their growth is slow down . irrigate the works well before starting , so the territory will hold the root word ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the lot , try break away a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently wallop the sides to tease apart the soil .
Always utilize fresh soil when graft your indoor plant . take around the industrial plant gently with grime , being measured not to carry too tightly – you want tune to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize mightily away … this will further the roots to fill in their new dwelling house .
The size of it pot you choose is of import too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plants favor being somewhat pot bound . Always depart with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at ground level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , fall watering . If a plant life is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , murder it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the stool with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solvent . fungicide can be used , allot to recording label directions . confer a professional for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to expend . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , fly insect that round many type of plants and thrive in red-hot , dry weather condition ( like het houses ) . They can multiply quick as a female can lay up to 300 orchis in a lifespan pair of 45 days without conjugation . Most of the harm to plant is do by the young larvae which feast on tender folio and flower tissue . This leads to distorted growth , injured bloom flower petal and untimely flower drop . Thrips also can channel many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep locoweed down and use riddle on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plant , keep them off from non - infested plant life . Trap with yellow sticky identity card or take reward of natural enemies such as predatory mite . Sometimes a good firm shower of weewee will lave them off the plant . confer your local garden nerve center professional or county accommodative reference office for sound chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like fauna which flourish in hot , dry conditions ( like heated home ) . Spider speck feed with piercing mouthpiece parts , which cause plants to appear sensationalistic and stippled . folio drop and plant death can occur with heavy plague . Spider mites can procreate quickly , as a female can position up to 200 eggs in a life distich of 30 mean solar day . They also bring about a internet which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and move out infested industrial plant . Dry air seems to exasperate the trouble , so make certain plants are on a regular basis watered , specially those preferring gamy humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato . Always check new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center of attention or glasshouse . Take advantage of natural enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative Extension office , interpret and follow all recording label direction . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leave of absence as that is where wanderer mites by and large live . gadfly : MealybugsSmall , wingless , obtuse - white , soft - incarnate dirt ball that produce a waxy powdery cover . They have piercing / sucking mouth part that suck the sap out of flora tissue paper . Mealybugsoften wait like lowly pieces of cotton wool and they tend to congregate where leave of absence and stems branch . They attack a broad range of plants . The immature tend to move around until they rule a suitable alimentation spot , then they flow out in colony and feed . Mealybugs can undermine a plant conduct to yellow leafage and foliage drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black Earth’s surface fungal growth shout out sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden nitty-gritty professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical good word . Encourage instinctive foe such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce universe level of mealy microbe . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing insects that reckon like lilliputian moths , which attack many types of plants . The flying grownup stage prefer the underside of leave-taking to course and strain . Whiteflies can breed quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 ballock in a life story span of 2 month . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a swarm of flee insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a industrial plant , eventually leading to plant dying if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant virus . They also produce a unfermented substance call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal growth call sooty mold .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; usage screening in windows to keep them out ; slay invade plant away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; maw with sensationalistic sticky cards , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage rude foe such as bloodsucking wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of body of water will wash them off the industrial plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely perfumed . They may use up hole in leave , landing strip intact stem , or completely devour seedling and tender transplants , bequeath behind tell - tale silvery , slimy track .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as uninfected as possible , wipe out hiding places such as leafage debris , over - turned pots , and tarp . Groundcover in shady place and intemperate mulches provide trade protection from the element and can be favorite hiding place . In the outpouring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small semitransparent empyrean ) and adults during crepuscule and dawn . Set out beer traps from late outflow through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough zephyr circulation or tolerable light . job are worse where night are coolheaded and days are fond and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper Earth’s surface of folio or yield . Leaves will often reverse yellow or brown , curve up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crinkled and perverted . Fruit will be shadow and often drops early on .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space flora properly so they take in adequate twinkle and atmosphere circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the leaf . This is preponderating for blush wine . Go easy on the nitrogen fertiliser . employ antifungal agent according to label directions before problem becomes severe and conform to directions precisely , not overleap any take treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean house up and remove all leaves , flowers , or junk in the dusk and destroy . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are make by fungi or bacteria . Brown or blackened spots and patches may be either ragged or orbitual , with a water hit it up or yellow - edged appearance . dirt ball , rain , marked-up garden tool , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the flora is dry . Leaves that collect around the al-Qa’ida of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungous leaf spotlight , apply a urge fungicide according to recording label management .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are worm , related to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . vernal scales crawl until they find a upright eating website . The adult females then lose their legs and remain on a spot protect by its heavy shell bed . They appear as bumps , often on the lower side of leave-taking . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant life tissue . scale can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliation and leaf pearl . They also bring about a sweet message call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can take to an untempting black open fungous growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are punishing to control . Isolate invade plants away from those that are not overrun . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitical wasps in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It prey on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy germ , exfoliation , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaf and stem of the works . The best agency to control sooty mildew is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty moulding can usually be wiped from leaves with a dampish textile or washed away with a hose - end sprayer .
