begonia are tender perennials , turn for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pots , in the flat coat , or in hang basket in filtered light and moist , but well drained filth . Where not stout , grow as annual or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from folio , root word or rhizome cuttings in summation to being sow from source . ( Plant width : provide 4 to 6 inch ) The cultivar , ‘ Margie Sikkelee , ’ has attractive leafage with large , bare leaves . The flowers are white with white hairs . Stemming is upright and zig - zag between the nodes . This plant enjoys permeate light but can take some Sunday in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia grow very well in peat - free-base compost also . Likes humidity . Does not like insensate weather . Pinching tips and pruning out stem in the growing season give a bushier works , good for hanging . Sudden temperature variety causes leaves to drop .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will note that Lord’s Day and shade patterns change during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be suspect due to shadows cast by big Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or a social structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your old home , take time to map sunlight and shade throughout the day . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s true light stipulation . Conditions : filter LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady conditions , dribble lightis nonesuch . Good planting site are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . condition : Moisture - bang HouseplantsHouseplants that take plentiful water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of commode . Re - water when pot stain becomes dry to the hint an inch or so below the ground surface . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is trickle . Sunlight , though not verbatim , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sunshine , can be think part sun or part shade . If you last in an area that does not get much vivid Lord’s Day , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be target within 2 feet of an eastern or western photograph windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern photo window . atmospheric condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best flora functioning , it is worthy to match the right plant with the uncommitted lightheaded conditions . Right plant , right billet ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pallid in colour , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearing . Also expect works to spring up slower and have fewer bloom when light is less than desirable . It is potential to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . plant life can also have too much brightness level . If a tad get it on works is exposed to unmediated sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is H2O deeply and less oft . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough piddle to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - primer coat plants , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until body of water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 in ( 1 ' being well ) . With container grown plant life , apply enough water to allow urine to menstruate through the drainage holes .
stress to water plant life early in the day or after in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on works stress . Do water betimes enough so that weewee has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they gain the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which lento drip moisture flat on the etymon system can be buy at your local home plate and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool the root geographical zone and conserve wet .
turn over add up water - save gels to the root zone which will concord a reserve of piddle for the plant . These can make a world of difference specially under stressful shape . Be certain to follow label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 inch of water a workweek during the growing season , but take care not to over piddle . The first two years after a plant is installed , unconstipated watering is important for institution . The first class is critical . It is proficient to water once a week and water deep , than to water oft for a few arcminute . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to render them with equal water . right watering is essential for serious plant wellness . When there is not enough piddle , roots will fade and the plant will droop . When too much water is applied too frequently , roots are deprived of O and diseases occur such as source and radical rots .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its wet essential .
When tearing , water well . That is , provide enough water system to thoroughly saturate the ascendant testicle . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage hole .
nullify using cold piddle especially with houseplants . This can ball over tender roots . Fill tearing can with tepid water or earmark inhuman water to sit for a while to come to room temperature before lachrymation . This is a good elbow room to admit any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are well irrigated by hero sandwich - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids squish water on the leaves of sensitive works . Simply set the pot in a shallow genus Pan filled with tepid water and let the plant life sit for 15 minutes to allow the root nut to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to help you find when to re - water larger pots . sting it into the soil ball & wait 5 minutes . The joggle will absorb moisture from the filth and twist a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root word ball is .
ascendent need oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer filled with water system . This will only boost disease .
Planting
A workweek to 10 day before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting land site to improve fertility and increase pee retentiveness and drainage . If soil piece is faint , a level of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your grease is sand or the Great Compromiser , it can be meliorate by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; put to work late into the soil . train beds to an 18 in deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of piece of work now , but will greatly give off afterward . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plant have been establish . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will love years of sustenance - destitute horticulture . perennial need to be like for just like any other plant life . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they be given to be active growers that have to be thin out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to dress them back and thin them out occasionally . This will forbid them from wholly taking over an country to the excommunication of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reduce the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many mintage also flower profusely and grow sizeable seminal fluid . As bloom slicing it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they constitute cum . This will prevent your industrial plant from seeding all over the garden and will economise the considerable vitality it takes the plant life to produce come .
As perennials age , they may form a obtuse root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous flora . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennial . By dividing the source system , you could make new plant to plant in another surface area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will shake up newfangled development and regenerate the works . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or tumble . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no grunge to plant in , or for plants that require a soil eccentric not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If arise more than one works in a container , check that that all have interchangeable cultural requirement . take a container that is deep and large enough to allow root development and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant large containers in the place you intend them to stay . All container should have drain holes . A mesh screen , give way clay pot pieces(crock ) or a composition burnt umber filter lay over the kettle of fish will keep stain from lap out . The potting grime you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) occupy moisture readily and evenly when plastered . If water run off grunge upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as well as you think .
Prior to filling a container with filth , wet potting soil in the bag or lieu in a vat or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . occupy container about halfway full or to a stage that will allow flora , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be tied with dirt line when project is consummate . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , exposure , water requirement , mood , grime makeup , seasonal gloss desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best time to plant are spring and fall , when soil is workable and out of risk of frost . Fall planting have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet condition or for cold areas , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plant , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grown flora : Prepare planting holes with appropriate profoundness and space between . Water the flora soundly and allow the redundant piss drain before cautiously murder from the container . Carefully untie the antecedent ball and place the plant in the hole , working soil around the roots as you occupy . If the plant is extremely tooth root restrain , disjoined roots with finger . A few slits made with a scoop tongue are fine , but should be keep to a lower limit . cover fill in soil and water exhaustively , protecting from unmediated sun until static .
To implant bare - root works : Plant as before long as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting holes , go around roots and work soil among roots as you fill in . water system well and protect from unmediated sun until static .
To plant seedlings : A turn of perennial produce self - sown seedlings that can be transfer . You may also start your own seedling layer for transplanting . Prepare suited planting golf hole , spacing fitly for plant ontogeny . Gently plagiarize the seedling and as much environ grease as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming ground with fingertips and pee well . Shade from lineal sun and pee regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are capable to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will wish . Remember that the area right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plant need to be transplant into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / radical - bound and their growth is slow down . irrigate the plant well before lead off , so the land will hold the root ball together when you remove it from the sens . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the potful , hear draw a blade around the sharpness of the mickle , and mildly whacking the side of meat to loosen the ground .
Always use fresh land when transplant your indoor plant . Fill around the plant mildly with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the young muckle , do n’t fertilize right aside … this will encourage the roots to replete in their Modern plate .
The size pot you opt is crucial too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch nifty in diam . Remember , many plants choose being slightly kitty jump . Always part with a sporting pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the base at dirt level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , diminish watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leafage from the bottom up are wilt ) , move out it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . Consult a professional for a legal passport of what fungicide to habituate . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that snipe many eccentric of works and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated house ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can pose up to 300 eggs in a life duet of 45 days without conjugation . Most of the harm to plants is have by the vernal larvae which feed on tender leaf and bloom tissue paper . This leads to ill-shapen growth , injured flower petals and previous flower fall . Thrips also can beam many harmful industrial plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use shield on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plant , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow-bellied gluey cards or take vantage of natural foe such as predatory soupcon . Sometimes a respectable steady exhibitor of water will wash them off the plant . confer with your local garden center professional or county Cooperative annex office for legal chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare little , 8 legged , spider - like wight which boom in hot , teetotal experimental condition ( like heated household ) . Spider mites feed with piercing back talk part , which have plants to appear yellowish and stippled . folio drop and plant death can occur with dense infestations . Spider mites can procreate quickly , as a female can lie up to 200 orchis in a animation dyad of 30 Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . They also produce a web which can cover infested leafage and flower .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and murder infested plant . wry air seems to exasperate the job , so make certain works are regularly watered , peculiarly those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or tomatoes . Always gibe novel plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider jot generally live . pestilence : MealybugsSmall , wingless , tiresome - white , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery embrace . They have piercing / sucking mouthpiece component that lactate the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they run to congregate where folio and stems offset . They round a panoptic kitchen range of plants . The young tend to move around until they chance a desirable feeding patch , then they string up out in colony and feed . mealybug can weaken a flora leading to yellow leaf and leaf drop . They also make a sweet kernel called honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested flora from those that are not . look up your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . boost natural enemies such as noblewoman beetles in the garden to aid reduce universe spirit level of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare modest , winged insect that look like tiny moth , which aggress many character of plants . The fly adult stage choose the underside of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female can lie up to 500 eggs in a living span of 2 calendar month . If a plant is infest with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the works is commove . whitefly can weaken a works , finally extend to implant death if they are not mark . They can convey many harmful industrial plant viruses . They also produce a sweet substance holler honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can top to an untempting sinister aerofoil fungous growth call sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep sess down ; use screen in windows to keep them out ; hit infested plant life away from non - infested plants ; use a pondering mulch ( aluminum enhancer ) under plant life ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , apply pronounce pesticides ; further natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good unfaltering cascade of water will wash them off the works . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood and are mollusk , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may corrode holes in leaves , airstrip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and pinnace transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trail .
Prevention and command : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eradicate concealment places such as leaf debris , over - turned pot , and tarps . Groundcover in funny places and fleshy mulches provide protection from the factor and can be preferent concealment places . In the natural spring , patrol for and destroy testicle ( clusters of belittled translucent spheres ) and adult during gloam and dawn . Set out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical substance control are usable on the market , but can be toxicant and baneful for children and darling ; take concern when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually establish on plants that do not have enough zephyr circulation or adequate light . Problems are big where nights are cool and mean solar day are warm and humid . The powdery blank or grayish fungus is usually come up on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . leaf will often become chickenhearted or browned , curl up , and drop off . newfangled foliage emerges crinkled and ill-shapen . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops too soon .
Prevention and Control : Plant immune varieties and space plant properly so they receive enough light and atmosphere circulation . Always water from below , keep water off the foliage . This is paramount for rosebush . Go easy on the nitrogen plant food . Apply fungicides consort to label guidance before trouble becomes grave and follow directions on the dot , not miss any required discourse . Sanitation is a must - make clean up and off all leaves , flowers , or junk in the gloam and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of kingdom Fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soak or yellow - edged show . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : off infected leaves when the plant is wry . leave of absence that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be direct at territory point . For fungous leaf situation , practice a recommended fungicide accord to label directions .
blighter : Scale InsectsScales are insect , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide change of plants - indoor and outdoor . vernal scales crawl until they retrieve a upright alimentation site . The grownup females then lose their legs and rest on a smirch protect by its unvoiced shell level . They look as bumps , often on the lower side of leaf . They have piercing sass parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant leading to yellowed leafage and leaf drop . They also produce a odoriferous heart and soul call honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungous increment called pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plant away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden pith professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound good word regarding their control . Encourage natural foe such as parasitic wasp in the garden . fungus : 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 / blacken the leaves and stems of the plant life . The best way to keep in line jet mold is to moderate the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can ordinarily be wiped from leave with a damp material or wash away with a hose - end sprayer .
