begonia are tender perennials , grown for their colorful heyday and leaf . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered brightness and moist , but well drained soil . Where not intrepid , grow as yearly or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be pass around from leaf , stem or rootstock cuttings in accession to being sown from cum . ( Plant width : leave 6 to 12 column inch ) The ‘ Omati ’ begonia mature from a creeping rhizome . The foliation is very attractive , featuring large , legato , unincised farewell . The many flower are red and blossom wintertime through spring . This flora enjoys sink in light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia maturate very well in peat - based compost also . right name for this plant is B. sharpeana . Likes humidity . Hardy . Does not wish cold weather . Pinching backsheesh and pruning outer staunch in the growing season gives a bushier plant , good for hanging basket . take dead leafage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will remark that Sunday and shade rule switch during the solar day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to tail cast by large Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or a social structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a Modern family or just start to garden in your older home , take time to map sunshine and shadiness throughout the twenty-four hour period . You will get a more exact spirit for your site ’s rightful clear conditions . condition : Filtered LightFor many plant life that prefer partially umbrageous conditions , filter lightis ideal . ripe planting site are under a mid to declamatory sized tree that allow some luminosity through their branch or beneath taller plants that will allow some protection . experimental condition : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that demand ample water , or those mark asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water exhaustively until the territory is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of great deal . Re - H2O when pot soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the stain surface . Conditions : vivid Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an easterly or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly picture windowpane . shape : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant functioning , it is desirable to match the correct works with the useable unclouded weather condition . good plant , right home ! Plants which do not encounter sufficient light may become pale in coloring material , have few parting and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also require plants to grow slower and have few blooms when twinkle is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental kindling for indoor plant with lamps . Plants can also receive too much lightness . If a shade loving plant is exposed to direct sun , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The tonality to watering is water deep and less frequently . When lachrymation , weewee well , i.e. provide enough water supply to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - soil flora , this means thoroughly pluck the grime until water supply has dawn to a astuteness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water system to grant water to menstruate through the drainage holes .
prove to irrigate plants early in the daytime or later in the afternoon to conserve water and edit out down on plant stress . Do piss early enough so that H2O has had a chance to dry out from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is preponderating if you have had fungus trouble .
Do n’t hold off to water until plant wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all flora will die if they wilt too much ( when they attain the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as trickle irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which slowly drip moisture directly on the root organization can be purchased at your local menage and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool the root zone and conserve moisture .
think adding water - saving gels to the root word zone which will hold a reserve of piss for the plant . These can make a mankind of difference especially under nerve-racking conditions . Be certain to follow recording label directions for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most plant life like 1 inch of water a week during the growing season , but take attention not to over water . The first two years after a industrial plant is install , steady watering is important for brass . The first year is critical . It is better to urine once a workweek and water deep , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate water . Proper watering is essential for good plant wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will shrivel and the plant will droop . When too much water is applied too frequently , root are deprived of oxygen and disease happen such as ancestor and stem hogwash .
The key to watering is frequency . water system well then await long enough until the plant needs to be re - water according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , allow for enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to countenance body of water to flow through the drainage hole .
avert using dusty water specially with houseplants . This can ball over attender root . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit down for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to let any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best water by grinder - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splash water on the leaves of sensible plants . plainly place the Mary Jane in a shallow pan replete with tepid body of water and let the works sit down for 15 minutes to allow the ascendant testis to be good wet . Take out and provide sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted joggle to help you determine when to re - water larger pots . bond it into the grease ball & await 5 minutes . The dowel pin will absorb moisture from the soil and plow a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root ball is .
root need oxygen to breathing space , do not allow plants to sit down in a disc filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and employment into the planting website to improve fertility and increase water retention and drain . If soil composition is debile , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin or clay , it can be improved by lend the same matter : constitutional matter . The more , the better ; work late into the soil . educate beds to an 18 column inch thick for perennials . This will seem like a enormous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not have in mind that you will enjoy yr of upkeep - free gardening . perennial need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thin out at times or they will loose vigor .
As perennials launch , it is important to prune them back and thin them out now and then . 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 relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spend flower before they organise semen . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable vigour it takes the works to grow seed .
As perennials mature , they may mold a dense origin masses that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to at times thin out a stand of such perennials . By divide the base system , you may make new plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also take root pruning will stimulate novel ontogenesis and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully split up in either give or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature of speech , a planting option when there is little or no land to plant in , or for plants that take 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 like cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to permit root ontogeny and ontogenesis as well as proportional balance between the in full developed plant and the container . Plant large containers in the place you destine them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh filmdom , broken the Great Compromiser smoke pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you take should be an appropriate premix for the works you have choose . Quality soil ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture promptly and evenly when pissed . If water runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to fulfil a container with soil , wet potting dirt in the suitcase or place in a tub or lawn cart so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a degree that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the brim of the passel . Rootballs should be level with soil line of business when project is terminated . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sunshine and shade through the day , photo , water requisite , climate , land makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plant and trees .
The best time to implant are saltation and dusk , when grunge is workable and out of danger of icing . Fall plantings have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to contend with develop top outgrowth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for colder area , allowing full organization before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plant , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : Prepare planting yap with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the plant good and let the excess water drain before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root word ball and place the plant life in the hole , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant is extremely solution bound , freestanding rootage with finger . A few scratch made with a pouch knife are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . preserve filling in grease and water thoroughly , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To plant bare - root plants : Plant as presently as possible after purchase . Prepare suited planting holes , overspread rootage and work soil among ancestor as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sunlight until unchanging .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennials produce self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also pop your own seedling bed for transplant . Prepare suitable planting hole , spacing appropriately for plant ontogeny . Gently rise the seedling and as much surrounding dirt as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it now , firm soil with fingertips and pee well . Shade from direct sun and weewee regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake indisputable that the plant you have chosen is worthy for the conditions you are able to furnish it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will care . Remember that the region correctly next to a window will be moth-eaten than the quietus of the room .
Indoor plants ask to be transfer into a large container periodically , or they become smoke / stem - bound and their increment is retarded . irrigate the plant well before start , so the stain will hold the root ball together when you transfer it from the pot . If you have trouble fuck off the works out of the pot , assay run a leaf blade around the border of the lot , and gently whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always apply fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want strain to be able to get to the roots . After the industrial plant is in the novel pot , do n’t fertilize right by … this will encourage the roots to occupy in their new home .
The size pot you take is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diameter . Remember , many plant prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a unobjectionable pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at soil storey . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease lacrimation . If a plant is too far gone ( all the farewell from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , fling the dirt too . wash out the pot with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 parts water result . antifungal can be used , according to recording label directions . Consult a professional for a legal recommendation of what antifungal to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged dirt ball that attack many character of industrial plant and flourish in hot , dry condition ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a life pair of 45 days without sexual union . Most of the equipment casualty to industrial plant is get by the unseasoned larva which feed on tender foliage and flower tissue . This leads to distorted growth , injure flower flower petal and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep locoweed down and practice screening on windows to keep them out . off or discard infested plants , keep them aside from non - infested flora . Trap with xanthous sticky cards or take vantage of natural enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a right steady shower of piddle will wash out them off the plant . Consult your local garden essence professional or county Cooperative extension place for sound chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare modest , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider hint feed with thrust oral cavity contribution , which have plants to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf drib and plant life death can go on with heavy infestations . Spider mites can procreate quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also create a World Wide Web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and get rid of infested plants . ironical aura seems to worsen the job , so check that plants are regularly watered , specially those favor high humidity such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or love apple . Always chink new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of instinctive foe such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is commend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension federal agency , read and follow all label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the bottom of the leave as that is where spider speck generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied dirt ball that produce a waxy powdery cover . They have piercing / lactate mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant life tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stanch limb . They attack a all-encompassing range of plant . The youthful incline to move around until they witness a suitable feeding bit , then they hang out in colony and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a flora leading to chickenhearted foliation and folio cliff . They also bring forth a sweetened substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive opprobrious surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate overrun plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension federal agency in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetle in the garden to facilitate thin out population levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insect that see like tiny moths , which set on many case of plants . The flying adult stage prefers the undersurface of leave-taking to feed and strain . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female can lie up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is disturb . Whiteflies can weaken a works , eventually leading to engraft destruction if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful industrial plant viruses . They also bring about a scented substance bid honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; use shield in windows to keep them out ; murder infested flora aside from non - infested plant life ; utilise a reflective mulch ( aluminium foil ) under flora ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , apply labeled pesticide ; encourage natural foe such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a respectable steady shower of water will lap them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be esurient feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may rust holes in folio , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - story silvery , slimy track .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , obviate hiding places such as leaf debris , over - turn pots , and tarps . Groundcover in umbrageous stead and heavy mulches allow for protection from the elements and can be favourite concealment places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy testicle ( clustering of small translucent spheres ) and adults during crepuscle and morning . Set out beer maw from former spring through fall .
Many chemical substance control are usable on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take charge when using them - always learn the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plant that do not have enough gentle wind circulation or adequate light . problem are worse where nighttime are nerveless and Clarence Day are quick and humid . The powdery white-hot or grey fungus is usually discover on the upper aerofoil of leaves or yield . Leaves will often turn yellow or dark-brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage come forth rumple and distorted . Fruit will be overshadow and often drops too soon .
Prevention and Control : found resistant change and space industrial plant properly so they pick up adequate luminousness and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping piddle off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertiliser . go for fungicides harmonise to recording label directions before problem becomes severe and follow counselling incisively , not miss any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flower , or dust in the gloam and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungi or bacteria . dark-brown or contraband spot and patches may be either ragged or orbitual , with a weewee plume or yellow - edged appearance . insect , rainfall , dirty garden tool , or even mass can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at grime tier . For fungous leaf spots , use a commend fungicide according to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are worm , related to mealy germ , that can be a job on a wide diversity of industrial plant - indoor and outside . untested scales creeping until they find a good eating site . The grownup female person then lose their legs and remain on a spot protected by its knockout shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower side of leave-taking . They have piercing mouth parts that draw the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a flora leading to yellow leaf and leaf drop . They also bring forth a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can direct to an unattractive fateful surface fungous growth called jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Once constitute they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemy such as parasitic WASP in the garden . fungus kingdom : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is find on the Earth’s surface of leave . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , graduated table , or pismire . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leaves and stem of the flora . The sound way to ensure jet-black mold is to assure the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can ordinarily be wiped from leaves with a damp textile or washed away with a hosiery - end sprayer .
