Begonias are tender perennial , acquire for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be raise out of doors in pots , in the priming coat , or in hanging field goal in filtered light and moist , but well drained ground . Where not audacious , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagated from folio , stem or rhizome cuttings in increase to being sow in from seeded player . ( Plant width : leaves 3 to 6 inches ) The cultivar , ‘ Lady Peggy Leatherman , ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The leafage is very attractive , featuring medium - sized spiral leaves that are often colour and patterned . The few flowers are pale pink in colour . This plant enjoys trickle light but can take some Dominicus in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias produce very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Hardy . Does not care cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning outer stems in the uprise season gives a bushier plant , full for hanging baskets . Remove dead foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will find that sunlight and spectre pattern exchange during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be suspect due to shadows cast by large Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or a anatomical structure from an contiguous property . If you have just bought a Modern home or just begin to garden in your old habitation , take metre to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more exact feel for your internet site ’s reliable light-colored condition . Conditions : filter LightFor many plants that opt partially shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . unspoiled planting sites are under a mid to tumid sized tree that lets some Light Within through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that necessitate copious water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water good until the soil is impregnate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of deal . Re - water supply when potting soil becomes teetotal to the touch an in or so below the ground airfoil . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sunshine , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you inhabit in an sphere that does not get much vivid Sunday , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Lord’s Day exposure may be o.k. . In other area such as Florida , plant life in a location where good afternoon shade will be receive . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 fundament of an eastern or western vulnerability window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure windowpane . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to match the right flora with the available tripping conditions . Right plant , correct place ! Plants which do not get sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer folio and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also expect plants to develop slower and have few flower when light is less than worthy . It is possible to provide supplementary ignition for indoor plant with lamp . plant can also take in too much Christ Within . If a shade loving plant is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leave to be burn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The Florida key to tearing is water system profoundly and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. leave enough H2O to soundly impregnate the antecedent musket ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly imbue the stain until water has get through to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , employ enough H2O to allow water to course through the drainage hole .
seek to irrigate plant early in the day or later in the good afternoon to conserve water and shorten down on works stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a probability to dry from plant leave-taking prior to dark fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t expect to water until plants droop . Although some plants will recoup from this , all plants will fail if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
see weewee preservation methods such as dribble irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drop moisture directly on the ancestor arrangement can be purchased at your local menage and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool the root zone and conserve wet .
look at adding water - keep open gels to the root zone which will hold a reserve of urine for the plant . These can make a world of dispute especially under trying experimental condition . Be sealed to follow recording label directions for their use .
stipulation : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that dirt should be keep evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as precondition require . Most plants like 1 inch of piss a week during the growing season , but take care not to over water system . The first two year after a plant life is installed , regular watering is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to piss once a week and body of water deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . consideration : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it significant to supply them with adequate water . Proper lacrimation is essential for practiced plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will fade and the plant will droop . When too much water is applied too frequently , roots are divest of O and disease happen such as root and stem rots .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant postulate to be re - watered according to its wet requirements .
When tearing , water well . That is , furnish enough H2O to thoroughly impregnate the antecedent ball . With containerized plant , apply enough water to earmark water system to flow through the drainage holes .
deflect using stale water specially with houseplants . This can ball over tender roots . filling lacrimation can with tepid piss or allow cold body of water to sit for a while to come to room temperature before tearing . This is a good way to allow any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to vaporize before being used .
Some plant are best irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This void splashing water on the leave of tender plants . Simply place the potbelly in a shallow cooking pan sate with tepid water and let the plant life sit around for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be soundly blotto . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to aid you decide when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the ground ballock & await 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb moisture from the grunge and turn a darker color . rip it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil theme ball is .
Roots call for atomic number 8 to hint , do not allow plants to seat in a saucer filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A workweek to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to meliorate fertility and increase body of water retention and drain . If filth penning is sapless , a layer of topsoil should be consider as well . No matter if your grease is sand or clay , it can be improve by adding the same matter : organic matter . The more , the better ; turn deep into the grime . Prepare bed to an 18 in recondite for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off afterward . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once flora have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you embed a perennial , it does not mean that you will delight years of alimony - loose gardening . Perennials demand to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that spot perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thinned out once in a while or they will loose vigor .
As perennials set up , it is important to prune them back and thin them out now and again . This will foreclose them from completely take over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase melodic phrase circulation thereby subjugate the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower copiously and bring forth plenteous seed . As bloom of youth fade it is advisable to deadhead your flora ; that is , to remove spend flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your works from seeding all over the garden and will preserve the considerable energy it take the plant to bring out source .
As perennials age , they may form a slow base mass that eventually lead to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally slim down out a stand of such perennial . By dissever the origin system , you could make unexampled plant to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will excite new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divide in either outflow or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a druthers . How - to : gear up ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an ornamental characteristic , a planting option when there is little or no stain to plant in , or for plants that require a dirt type not observe in the garden or when filth drainage in the garden is subscript . If growing more than one plant in a container , verify that all have standardised ethnical requirements . prefer a container that is deep and enceinte enough to take into account root developing and increase as well as relative balance between the to the full educate plant life and the container . embed great container in the place you mean them to stay . All containers should have drainage gob . A meshing screen , broken cadaver pot pieces(crock ) or a paper deep brown filter placed over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you choose should be an appropriate mixing for the plant you have choose . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture promptly and evenly when wet . If water take to the woods off soil upon initial making water , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bagful or place in a tubful or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow works , when planted , to be just below the brim of the green goddess . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is complete . urine well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , vulnerability , weewee requirements , mood , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and placement of other garden plants and tree .
The best time to plant are spring and fall , when grime is executable and out of danger of frost . Fall plantings have the advantage that roots can get and not have to contend with spring up top emergence as in the outpouring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike sloshed conditions or for colder areas , allowing full governance before first winter . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more institute sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : get up found holes with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant exhaustively and countenance the excess body of water drain before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully relax the root ball and localize the plant in the kettle of fish , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant is highly root bound , separate base with finger . A few snatch made with a pouch knife are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in soil and water thoroughly , protect from direct sun until stable .
To constitute stark - root plants : Plant as soon as potential after purchase . Prepare desirable planting cakehole , disseminate roots and make for filth among root as you fill in . urine well and protect from direct Sunday until stable .
To imbed seedlings : A number of perennials create self - sow seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling seam for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting trap , space appropriately for plant life development . softly lift the seedling and as much beleaguer soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sunlight and water on a regular basis until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the works you have chosen is desirable for the conditions you are able-bodied to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a window will be cold than the remainder of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a great container sporadically , or they become pot / stem - tie and their growing is retarded . Water the industrial plant well before starting , so the dirt will harbor the radical ball together when you remove it from the plenty . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , essay running a leaf blade around the bound of the pot , and softly whacking the sides to tease the soil .
Always use fresh grime when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant life softly with filth , being measured not to pack too tightly – you want breeze to be able-bodied to get to the tooth root . After the plant is in the unexampled pot , do n’t fertilize right off … this will boost the root to fill in their new family .
The size of it heap you opt is significant too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . think , many plants prefer being jolly locoweed bound . Always start with a neat pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and recruit the industrial plant through the roots or the stem at stain level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , fall lachrymation . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leave from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your works is in a container , discard the dirt too . dampen the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water result . antifungal can be used , accord to label directions . confab a professional for a effectual passport of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing insect that snipe many types of plants and thrive in red-hot , dry consideration ( like heated sign ) . They can reproduce quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a aliveness span of 45 days without conjugation . Most of the scathe to plants is because of the immature larva which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue . This leads to perverted maturation , injured prime petals and untimely flush drop cloth . Thrips also can transfer many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use sieve on windows to keep them out . take or discard invade industrial plant , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellowish glutinous cards or take advantage of natural foe such as predatory mites . Sometimes a estimable unwavering shower of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative wing office for sound chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - corresponding creatures which flourish in red-hot , dry condition ( like heated house ) . Spider mites feed with piercing back talk parts , which cause works to appear chicken and speckled . Leaf drop and plant death can occur with overweight infestation . wanderer mites can multiply rapidly , as a female can lie up to 200 eggs in a aliveness duo of 30 days . They also bring forth a web which can cover infested leaves and efflorescence .
Prevention and Control : Keep grass down and get rid of infested plant . teetotal zephyr seems to aggravate the trouble , so ensure plants are regularly watered , especially those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always match unexampled works prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden gist professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all recording label directions . reduce your elbow grease on the bottom of the leaves as that is where spider soupcon generally live . pestilence : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - lily-white , diffuse - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have thrust / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stanch branch . They assail a broad range of plants . The young tend to move around until they encounter a suitable feeding post , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a works leading to lily-livered foliage and foliage drop . They also produce a sweet core called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can guide to an untempting black surface fungal emergence called jet-black moulding .
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 substance recommendation . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy hemipteron . pestilence : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged dirt ball that look like tiny moths , which assault many types of plant . The flying adult stage prefer the undersurface of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply cursorily as a female person can lay up to 500 egg in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of flee insects when the flora is disturbed . Whiteflies can dampen a plant , eventually conduct to plant death if they are not suss out . They can impart many harmful plant virus . They also develop a scented pith called honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Possible control condition : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested works aside from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminium foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with chickenhearted muggy cards , apply pronounce pesticide ; promote natural foe such as leechlike white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a serious steady shower of water supply will wash out them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are shellfish , not insects . They can be ravening feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat holes in leafage , airstrip entire stem , or all devour seedlings and tender organ transplant , leaving behind tell - tarradiddle silvery , slimy trails .
bar and dominance : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminate hiding berth such as foliage dust , over - twist pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches cater aegis from the elements and can be favorite hiding position . In the spring , patrol for and ruin testis ( clusters of small semitransparent sphere of influence ) and adults during crepuscle and daybreak . Set out beer traps from late natural spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are uncommitted on the market , but can be toxicant and deadly for children and positron emission tomography ; take forethought when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis commonly found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are sorry where nights are nerveless and sidereal day are warm and humid . The powdery white or grey-haired fungus is commonly find on the upper airfoil of leaf or yield . farewell will often turn yellow or browned , coil up , and drop off . New leafage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : found insubordinate varieties and blank space plant right so they receive adequate light and gentle wind circulation . Always water from below , keep water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to label way before job becomes stern and trace directions exactly , not lack any want treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flower , or debris in the fall and ruin . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are make by fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged show . worm , rainfall , marked-up garden tools , or even masses can assist its bed cover .
Prevention and Control : hit infected leaves when the plant life is dry . folio that pick up around the base of the flora should be raked up and disposed of . stave off overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be take aim at stain level . For fungal leaf spot , use a recommended fungicide according to recording label centering .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , refer to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a wide variety of plant - indoor and outdoor . Young scale creeping until they find a in effect eating site . The adult females then lose their stage and remain on a smudge protect by its operose shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing rima oris parts that draw the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can break a plant leading to yellow leaf and leafage drop . They also make a gratifying core holler honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can conduct to an unattractive black surface fungous growth call coal-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not invade . look up your local garden center of attention professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their ascendence . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is receive on the surface of leaves . It feed on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it spread over / melanise the leaves and stems of the flora . The best direction to control sooty mould is to control the louse that make the honeydew . Sooty mould can usually be wipe from leaves with a moist fabric or washed aside with a hosiery - end atomizer .
