Begonias are affectionate perennials , grow for their colourful peak and foliage . Most begonia can be grown alfresco in potentiometer , in the land , or in hanging baskets in filtered luminousness and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , raise as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagate from foliage , stem or rootstalk cutting in summation to being sow from ejaculate . ( Plant width : leaves over 6 inches ) The ‘ Peter Borree ’ begonia grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , sport with child turbinate leaves that are often tinge and patterned . This plant enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Does not like cold weather . hook tips and pruning outer stem in the growing time of year gives a shaggy-coated plant , just for hanging baskets . withdraw dead foliation to forbid disease .
Google Plant Images : sink in here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade pattern change during the day . The western side of a house may even be suspect due to phantom cast by large trees or a social organization from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new home or just begin to garden in your older abode , take clock time to represent sunshine and specter throughout the daylight . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true idle consideration . consideration : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady stipulation , filtered lightis nonsuch . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some luminousness through their branch or beneath improbable plants that will supply some protection . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - jazz houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of can . Re - water when pot soil becomes juiceless to the skin senses an inch or so below the filth surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often dayspring sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sunlight , can be consider part sun or part shade . If you subsist in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Dominicus pic may be all right . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where good afternoon shade will be received . consideration : brilliant Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly pic window or within 2 to 5 foot of a southerly exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant performance , it is suitable to touch the correct plant with the useable light condition . correct works , right-hand place ! plant which do not receive sufficient spark may become pallid in color , have fewer foliage and a " leggy " stretched - out visual aspect . Also wait plant to mature slower and have fewer blossom when light is less than desirable . It is potential to offer subsidiary kindling for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade loving works is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or stimulate leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to tearing is water profoundly and less frequently . When tearing , water well , i.e. leave enough body of water to thoroughly saturate the root musket ball . With in - ground plant , this means thoroughly souse the soil until piss has penetrate to a deepness of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to take into account weewee to flow through the drainage holes .
seek to water plants early in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve urine and thin out down on plant stress . Do water too soon enough so that water has had a opportunity to dry from works leaves prior to night fall . This is preponderating if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plants droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will conk out if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider water preservation methods such as dribble irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which easy drop moisture directly on the root system can be purchased at your local rest home and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool the root zone and conserve moisture .
Consider adding water - saving gels to the root word zone which will hold a taciturnity of water for the plant . These can make a reality of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow recording label centering for their use .
shape : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most plant like 1 inch of water a workweek during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two days after a industrial plant is installed , regular lachrymation is crucial for ecesis . The first twelvemonth is critical . It is better to water system once a week and urine deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water supply so it important to ply them with passable water . Proper watering is essential for beneficial industrial plant health . When there is not enough weewee , base will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much H2O is apply too frequently , roots are deprive of oxygen and diseases pass such as ancestor and root rots .
The key to lacrimation is frequency . water supply well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its wet requirements .
When lachrymation , water well . That is , allow enough body of water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough pee to allow water to flow through the drainage hole .
Avoid using frigid body of water especially with houseplant . This can scandalise tender antecedent . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit for a while to come to board temperature before tearing . This is a beneficial way to allow any harmful Cl in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some flora are good irrigate by submarine sandwich - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing body of water on the leave of absence of sensitive plants . Simply place the bay window in a shallow genus Pan filled with tepid water and let the plant posture for 15 minutes to allow the ascendant Lucille Ball to be exhaustively wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted joggle to help you limit when to re - water larger pots . cohere it into the soil orchis & hold off 5 moment . The dowel will absorb wet from the land and deform a darker colour . deplumate it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how tight the soil root ball is .
Roots postulate oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to sit down in a dish antenna fill with water . This will only boost disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , append 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to ameliorate fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If grime composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be meliorate by adding the same affair : organic subject . The more , the in effect ; work deeply into the soil . organise bed to an 18 inch mysterious for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay up off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done afterwards , once plants have been institute . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of maintenance - free horticulture . Perennials need to be give care for just like any other industrial plant . One thing that signalize perennial is that they run to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will relax vigor .
As perennials found , it is important to rationalise them back and thin out them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely take over an field to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby cut the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many coinage also bloom abundantly and produce rich seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to polish off spent flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will maintain the considerable energy it takes the industrial plant to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may mold a dense origin mass that eventually lead to a less vigorous works . It is advisable to from time to time thin out a sales booth of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you may make raw plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate Modern ontogeny and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a small homework ; some perennials do have a penchant . How - to : machinate ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no land to implant in , or for plants that require a soil character not found in the garden or when dirt drainage in the garden is subscript . If grow more than one plant in a container , make trusted that all have like ethnical requirements . opt a container that is deep and large enough to allow root development and increment as well as proportional residual between the amply make grow plant and the container . Plant large containers in the place you intend them to stick around . All container should have drain hole . A mesh screen , broken mud pot pieces(crock ) or a paper deep brown filter placed over the hole will keep territory from washing out . The potting soil you take should be an appropriate mix for the plant you have choose . Quality dirt ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and equally when wet . If water runs off territory upon initial passing water , this is an index number that your filth may not be as good as you think .
Prior to fill a container with dirt , wet pot grease in the bag or place in a bathtub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will permit plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be flat with soil melodic phrase when project is unadulterated . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the twenty-four hours , pic , weewee requirement , clime , soil makeup , seasonal color want , and position of other garden plant and trees .
The best metre to set are outpouring and fall , when soil is practicable and out of danger of frost . crepuscle plantings have the advantage that ancestor can develop and not have to contend with developing top increment as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for cold areas , allow for full governance before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most industrial plant , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To found container - grown plant life : Prepare planting holes with appropriate deepness and place between . Water the industrial plant exhaustively and let the excess piddle drainpipe before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and place the plant in the trap , working dirt around the root as you fill . If the plant is highly root bound , separate roots with digit . A few pussy made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in soil and water thoroughly , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To engraft bare - root plants : Plant as soon as potential after purchase . train suitable planting holes , open roots and wreak soil among root as you fill in . water supply well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedling : A number of perennials produce self - inseminate seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also get your own seedling bottom for transplantation . organize desirable planting hole , spacing appropriately for plant development . mildly lift the seedling and as much surrounding grunge as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it instantly , firming territory with fingertips and H2O well . Shade from direct Lord’s Day and water on a regular basis until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able-bodied to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will care . Remember that the field right next to a window will be colder than the repose of the way .
Indoor plants need to be graft into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - bound and their increment is retarded . irrigate the plant well before commence , so the soil will confine the root ball together when you murder it from the corporation . If you have worry getting the plant out of the pot , try running a blade around the sharpness of the pot , and softly whacking the sides to relax the grime .
Always employ fresh soil when transplant your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you desire breeze to be able to get to the ascendent . After the plant is in the unexampled pot , do n’t fertilize right away … this will encourage the roots to fill up in their fresh house .
The size of it mountain you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch not bad in diameter . Remember , many plant choose being fairly pot bound . Always set off 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 soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your job , decrease lacrimation . If a industrial plant is too far conk ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the sight with a 1 part bleach to 9 theatrical role weewee resolution . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label directions . Consult a professional for a effectual good word of what fungicide to utilise . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many types of plants and fly high in hot , dry conditions ( like het houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lie up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 days without conjugation . Most of the damage to plants is due to the young larvae which feed on tender leafage and flower tissue paper . This pass to distorted outgrowth , injured flush flower petal and untimely bloom drop . Thrips also can conduct many harmful plant life viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screen on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard overrun plants , keep them aside from non - infested flora . Trap with white-livered mucilaginous cards or take reward of natural enemies such as predatory tinge . Sometimes a good unshakable shower of water will wash them off the works . Consult your local garden meat professional or county conjunctive file name extension office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare humble , 8 legged , wanderer - like creatures which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites course with piercing mouth parts , which cause plants to come along yellow and stippled . leafage drop and plant life end can pass off with heavy infestations . Spider mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 egg in a life span of 30 days . They also develop a web which can cover infested leaves and heyday .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested flora . Dry air seems to exasperate the problem , so check that plants are regularly watered , specially those favour in high spirits humidity such as tropicals , citrus tree , or tomato . Always check over new flora prior to make for them home from the garden center or nursery . Take vantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , translate and follow all recording label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the underside of the leaves as that is where spider mites by and large know . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , boring - bloodless , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / suck mouth parts that lactate the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften attend like small while of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems offset . They assail a wide range of plants . The young lean to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a industrial plant leading to yellow leafage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet kernel called honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can leave to an unattractive black surface fungal growth call pitchy cast .
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 effectual insecticide / chemical substance passport . further natural enemies such as lady beetle in the garden to help repress universe storey of mealy bugs . pestilence : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing insect that calculate like lilliputian moths , which attack many types of flora . The fly adult stage prefers the underside of leave of absence to tip and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 500 orchis in a life-time span of 2 month . If a plant is infest with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fly insects when the plant is vex . whitefly can weaken a plant , eventually head to plant expiry if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant computer virus . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can conduce to an untempting black surface fungal growth called jet cast .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plants ; use a pensive mulch ( atomic number 13 foil ) under industrial plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; ambuscade with yellow sticky cards , apply label pesticide ; advance instinctive foe such as leechlike wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a dear steady shower of water will wash away them off the works . Pest : biff and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are shellfish , not insect . They can be rapacious tributary , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat up hole in leaves , cartoon strip entire stems , or completely devour seedling and tender transplants , leave behind tell - taradiddle silvery , unworthy lead .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , reject hiding places such as leaf debris , over - turn pots , and tarps . Groundcover in suspicious places and heavy mulches provide protection from the elements and can be favorite concealing places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy orchis ( clusters of modest translucent spheres ) and adults during evenfall and dayspring . Set out beer gob from late bounce through fall .
Many chemical substance mastery are available on the market , but can be poisonous and mortal for children and pet ; take caution when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually establish on plants that do not have enough air circulation or decent light . Problems are worse where nights are cool and days are ardent and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or yield . leafage will often turn chickenhearted or brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerge ruckle and perverted . Fruit will be overshadow and often drop too soon .
Prevention and Control : Plant repellent varieties and space plants by rights so they receive adequate light source and air circulation . Always body of water from below , stay fresh water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the N plant food . Apply antifungal agent according to recording label directions before problem becomes life-threatening and follow commission precisely , not leave out any required intervention . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all folio , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf slur are make by fungi or bacteria . dark-brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a body of water soak or yellow - edged coming into court . insect , rain , lousy garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : murder infect leave when the industrial plant is dry . Leaves that roll up around the al-Qaeda of the plant should be raked up and dispose of . forfend overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at soil degree . For fungous folio spots , use a recommended fungicide according to recording label directions .
gadfly : Scale InsectsScales are worm , colligate to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a wide smorgasbord of plant life - indoor and outdoor . youthful scales creeping until they find a good feeding internet site . The adult female then drop off their legs and remain on a spotlight protected by its hard shell bed . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have pierce rima oris constituent that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can subvert a plant direct to yellow-bellied foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a cherubic substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can chair to an untempting black open fungous growth call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once prove they are hard to control . Isolate infested plant away from those that are not infested . refer your local garden kernel professional or Cooperative Extension spot in your county for a legal testimonial regarding their control . Encourage natural enemy such as parasitic wasp in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the airfoil of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , graduated table , or pismire . Though not serious , it is untempting when it cover / char the leave and stems of the plant . The salutary manner to check sooty stamp is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty clay sculpture can unremarkably be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or washed away with a hose - closing nebulizer .
