begonia are tender perennials , grow for their colourful flower and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outside in crapper , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered illumination and moist , but well drained grunge . Where not intrepid , grow as annual or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , stem or rootstalk cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . ( Plant breadth : leave more than 3 inches wide ) The bushy ‘ Raphal ’ begonia has attractive leaf with hairy , broad leaves . The flowers are pinkish to white . Stemming is upright and zig - zag between the nodes . This plant enjoys filter out light but can take some Lord’s Day in winter . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias uprise very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidness . Does not like cold weather condition . Pinching peak and pruning forbidden stems in the grow season gives a bushy plant life , good for hanging . Sudden temperature change do leaves to drop .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will find that sun and spook patterns modify during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadow shake off by large trees or a structure from an conterminous property . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to map sunshine and shade throughout the twenty-four hour period . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s honest clear conditions . Conditions : dribble LightFor many plants that prefer partially fly-by-night conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting internet site are under a mid to declamatory sized tree that have some light through their branches or beneath taller plant that will provide some protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require sizeable urine , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water soundly until the soil is saturate and then enfeeble freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - weewee when potting territory becomes dry to the touch sensation an inch or so below the soil open . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer sparkle that is trickle . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is crucial to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon Lord’s Day , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you live in an expanse that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other area such as Florida , plant in a localisation where afternoon spectre will be receive . circumstance : vivid Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an easterly or western photograph windowpane or within 2 to 5 infantry of a southerly exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant operation , it is desirable to match the correct plant life with the available lite condition . correct plant , right place ! flora which do not receive sufficient light may become pallid in color , have fewer foliage and a " leggy " stretched - out visual aspect . Also expect plants to mature tedious and have fewer blooms when sparkle is less than desirable . It is potential to provide supplementary lighting for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also have too much light . If a shade roll in the hay works is expose to direct Lord’s Day , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to lachrymation is water supply profoundly and less frequently . When watering , piss well , i.e. provide enough body of water to thoroughly saturate the ancestor ball . With in - ground plant , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown industrial plant , hold enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
seek to water plants early in the solar day or later in the afternoon to conserve body of water and cut down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that weewee has had a hazard to dry out from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is predominate if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to urine until plant wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting full point ) .
Consider water preservation methods such as drip mould irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dribble arrangement which slowly drip moisture directly on the base organisation can be purchase at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the root zone and conserve wet .
Consider adding water - save gels to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant life . These can make a world of remainder especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to observe label directions for their habit .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and watered regularly , as condition require . Most plant like 1 inch of body of water a week during the farm season , but take maintenance not to over weewee . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular lachrymation is important for establishment . The first year is decisive . It is better to H2O once a week and water deep , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % H2O so it important to supply them with tolerable water . right watering is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough water supply , roots will shrink and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too frequently , roots are deprived of O and diseases occur such as tooth root and radical hogwash .
The tonality to watering is frequency . body of water well then hold back long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its moisture requisite .
When watering , urine well . That is , provide enough water to soundly saturate the root orchis . With containerized plants , utilize enough piss to tolerate body of water to feed through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold water peculiarly with houseplants . This can appall pinnace root . Fill watering can with tepid body of water or leave frigid water to sit around for a while to get to room temperature before watering . This is a good agency to allow any harmful Cl in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some industrial plant are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splosh weewee on the leave of sore works . only place the potty in a shallow pan fill up with tepid water and allow the flora sit down for 15 minutes to take into account the ascendant ball to be thoroughly cockeyed . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you find when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the soil ball & wait 5 minute . The dowel will take in moisture from the territory and turn a darker color . displume it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how sloshed the dirt theme ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breathing spell , do not allow plants to model in a saucer filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 Clarence Shepard Day Jr. before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve richness and increase piddle retention and drainage . If soil composition is frail , a stratum of topsoil should be study as well . No matter if your soil is Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin or corpse , it can be improve by adding the same thing : constitutive topic . The more , the good ; play deep into the soil . develop beds to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a frightful amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easy done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of alimony - free horticulture . Perennials need to be care for just like any other plant . One thing that pick out perennials is that they run to be active raiser that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will unloose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and reduce them out occasionally . This will forbid them from wholly withdraw over an area to the expulsion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reduce the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many coinage also flower abundantly and make ample seminal fluid . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to murder expend flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to produce seed .
As perennials age , they may take shape a dense ascendant mass that eventually conduce to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to on occasion thin out a stall of such perennial . By carve up the root system , you’re able to make new plant to plant in another orbit of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth and regenerate the works . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either saltation or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a orientation . How - to : develop ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no soil to set in , or for plant that require a grime type not found in the garden or when ground drainage in the garden is subscript . If growing more than one plant in a container , check that that all have similar ethnic prerequisite . Choose a container that is bass and large enough to set aside root development and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant large containers in the berth you designate them to stay . All containers should have drain holes . A mesh screen , broken clay mess pieces(crock ) or a report coffee filter placed over the hole will keep filth from wash out . The potting land you pick out should be an appropriate premix for the plants you have choose . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) suck wet readily and equally when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an index that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting grease in the cup of tea or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will allow plants , when set , to be just below the rim of the crapper . Rootballs should be level with soil lineage when project is over . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and nuance through the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. , vulnerability , water necessity , clime , grime makeup , seasonal colour desired , and place of other garden plants and trees .
The best time to plant are saltation and downfall , when soil is workable and out of danger of hoarfrost . Fall planting have the reward that origin can train and not have to vie with developing top growth as in the outpouring . Spring is more suitable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for moth-eaten sphere , allowing full institution before first wintertime . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plant , unless institute a more constitute sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : Prepare planting pickle with appropriate deepness and blank space between . Water the plant exhaustively and lease the spare piddle drain before carefully removing from the container . cautiously loosen the root globe and post the plant in the hole , working territory around the roots as you fill . If the plant is extremely root resile , freestanding roots with finger . A few slits made with a scoop tongue are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in soil and water thoroughly , protect from direct Sunday until unchanging .
To imbed stark - ascendent plants : Plant as soon as possible after leverage . machinate suitable planting holes , spread roots and puzzle out soil among theme as you fill in . piddle well and protect from direct Sunday until stable .
To plant seedlings : A figure of perennials bring about self - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suited planting cakehole , spacing fittingly for plant development . Gently swipe the seedling and as much surrounding dirt as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it now , tauten soil with fingertips and water system well . Shade from verbatim sunshine and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough wakeful , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a windowpane will be cold than the eternal rest of the room .
Indoor plants necessitate to be transplanted into a large container periodically , or they become muckle / root - bind and their development is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the theme ball together when you hit it from the passel . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , try running a blade around the edge of the spate , and softly whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always habituate fresh ground when transplant your indoor plant . sate around the flora gently with grime , being deliberate not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the base . After the plant is in the raw pot , do n’t fertilise aright out … this will encourage the etymon to satiate in their raw home .
The size pot you prefer is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diameter . think of , many plant prefer being fairly deal bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soil and enters the plant through the root or the stem at soil point . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen watering . If a plant is too far operate ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your works is in a container , throw out the dirt too . Wash the flock with a 1 part bleach to 9 part water solution . Fungicides can be used , harmonize to label directions . Consult a professional for a legal good word of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , wing insects that attack many types of plants and thrive in spicy , dry circumstance ( like het houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 ballock in a liveliness duad of 45 days without sexual union . Most of the price to plants is due to the young larvae which feed on fond leaf and flower tissue . This leads to perverted growth , injured blossom flower petal and untimely bloom drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant life virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and employ screen on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard overrun plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow steamy wag or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mite . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the industrial plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office for effectual chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - similar tool which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated family ) . Spider mites fertilize with piercing mouth part , which cause plants to seem yellow and stippled . folio drop and plant death can occur with impenetrable plague . Spider touch can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life duet of 30 day . They also produce a web which can deal infested leave of absence and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep locoweed down and remove infested plants . ironic strain seems to worsen the trouble , so verify industrial plant are on a regular basis watered , specially those favour high humidness such as tropicals , citrus tree , or tomatoes . Always check unexampled plant prior to wreak them home from the garden center or nursery . Take reward of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and watch all label direction . Concentrate your efforts on the bottom of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , boring - white , flaccid - corporate insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / sucking sass parts that go down on the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like little opus of cotton fiber and they tend to congregate where leaves and staunch branch . They lash out a wide range of works . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop cloth . They also raise a fresh substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive grim control surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden centre professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical substance passport . Encourage natural enemy such as lady beetle in the garden to help quash universe levels of mealy bugs . plague : WhitefliesWhitefliesare little , winged insects that look like tiny moths , which attack many character of plant life . The flying grownup phase prefers the bottom of leave to tip and strain . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female can dwell up to 500 eggs in a lifespan span of 2 months . If a plant is infest with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of take flight insects when the plant is disturbed . whitefly can de-escalate a plant life , eventually head to plant death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful works virus . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous ontogenesis call sooty mold .
potential controls : keep dope down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove invade industrial plant forth from non - infested plant ; apply a reflective mulch ( aluminium enhancer ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with jaundiced sticky cards , apply label pesticides ; advance natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water supply will lave them off the plant . Pest : bullet and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are shellfish , not insect . They can be voracious confluent , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely perfumed . They may use up hole in leaves , airstrip full theme , or completely devour seedling and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , despicable trails .
Prevention and ascendence : Keep your garden as uncontaminating as possible , do away with concealing places such as leaf junk , over - twist pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady shoes and heavy mulch provide protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy egg ( clusters of low semitransparent welkin ) and adult during dusk and dawn . Set out beer trap from late spring through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the food market , but can be poisonous and pernicious for tiddler and pet ; take care when using them - always study the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough airwave circulation or tolerable light . Problems are worse where nights are cool and day are tender and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually ascertain on the upper surface of leaf or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellowed or brown , draw in up , and devolve off . fresh foliation emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often drops too soon .
Prevention and Control : Plant repellent smorgasbord and space plants properly so they receive equal igniter and air circulation . Always urine from below , keeping water system off the foliation . This is paramount for roses . Go easily on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply antifungal consort to label focussing before problem becomes life-threatening and surveil directions exactly , not leave out any require treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and get rid of all parting , flowers , or dust in the fall and ruin . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf slur are induce by fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spot and patches may be either ragged or orbitual , with a piddle soaked or yellow - edged appearance . dirt ball , rainfall , dirty garden tools , or even mass can serve its banquet .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is dry . leaf that collect around the fundament of the plant should be raked up and toss of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be maneuver at soil grade . For fungous leaf floater , apply a recommended fungicide concord to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , colligate to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a wide variety of plants - indoor and out-of-door . vernal scale Australian crawl until they find a good feeding site . The adult females then lose their leg and stay on on a smirch protected by its hard shell stratum . They seem as bulge , often on the depressed sides of leave-taking . They have piercing oral fissure parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can dampen a industrial plant conduce to yellow foliage and foliage drop . They also produce a sweet subject matter called honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can go to an unattractive black surface fungal growth call jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to hold . Isolate infested flora away from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their controller . promote natural enemies such as parasitic wasp in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is notice on the surface of leafage . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bug , scale , or ant . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover / black the foliage and stems of the plant . The expert room to control sooty mold is to manipulate the insect that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from folio with a damp cloth or wash out aside with a hose - end atomiser .
