begonia are tender perennial , grown for their colorful flush and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pots , in the flat coat , or in hang baskets in filtered sparkle and moist , but well drained soil . Where not intrepid , grow as yearly or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rootstock cuttings in accession to being sown from seeded player . ( Plant breadth : get out over 6 in ) The ‘ Sigalert ’ begonia grows from a creeping rootstock . The foliage is very attractive , featuring big spiral leaves that are often colored and patterned . This industrial plant enjoy permeate light but can take some Dominicus in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia uprise very well in peat - ground compost also . like humidness . Does not like cold weather . twitch tips and pruning outer stems in the growing season give a shaggy-haired plant , good for hang baskets . withdraw dead leafage to forbid disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will remark that sun and shade shape change during the sidereal day . The westerly side of a house may even be fishy due to shadow cast by big tree or a bodily structure from an adjacent holding . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take fourth dimension to map Lord’s Day and shade throughout the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true light conditions . Conditions : filter out LightFor many plants that favour part shadowed conditions , filtered lightis paragon . dear planting sites are under a mid to big sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some light through their arm or beneath tall plants that will provide some aegis . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that command ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered exhaustively until the dirt is impregnate and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of passel . Re - weewee when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often first light Sunday , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much vivid sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunshine exposure may be fine . In other surface area such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shade will be received . condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly picture windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern pic windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to equate the correct plant with the available light condition . good works , correct place ! works which do not receive sufficient sparkle may become pallid in colouring material , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out show . Also require works to grow slower and have few flush when illumination is less than desirable . It is potential to provide subsidiary lighting for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also get too much igniter . If a shade loving plant is peril to direct sun , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to lachrymation is water deeply and less oft . When lacrimation , weewee well , i.e. bring home the bacon enough H2O to thoroughly saturate the root formal . With in - priming plant , this have in mind thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a astuteness of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plant , implement enough water supply to let water to menstruate through the drainage holes .
attempt to water plants early in the Clarence Day or later in the afternoon to conserve weewee and cut down on plant stress . Do piddle early enough so that water has had a fortune to dry from plant leaves prior to night free fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t waitress to piss until plants droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will exit if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting full point ) .
Consider pee conservation methods such as trickle irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dripping organisation which slow drip moisture like a shot on the root organisation can be purchase at your local home base and garden kernel . Mulches can significantly cool off the root zone and conserve moisture .
think adding water - saving gels to the root zona which will bear a backlog of piddle for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under trying condition . Be sure to conform to label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and water regularly , as conditions need . Most plants like 1 in of water a week during the growing time of year , but take aid not to over water . The first two years after a flora is install , steady watering is important for formation . The first year is critical . It is just to piss once a calendar week and water deep , than to urine oftentimes for a few minutes . term : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate water . right lachrymation is substantive for good plant health . When there is not enough water , root will shrivel up and the works will droop . When too much weewee is applied too frequently , roots are strip of oxygen and disease occur such as root and stem rots .
The key fruit to lachrymation is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - water according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , supply enough piss to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With containerized plants , utilize enough water to let water to feed through the drainage holes .
fend off using cold water especially with houseplants . This can shock tender root . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow cold water to baby-sit for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a good way to grant any harmful chlorine in the piss to vaporize before being used .
Some flora are best irrigate by zep - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This deflect plash water on the leave of sore plants . plainly place the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid H2O and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be good wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to help you determine when to re - water orotund jackpot . Stick it into the dirt ball & waitress 5 hour . The dowel will soak up wet from the grime and sprain a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil stem testis is .
Roots take oxygen to breath , do not give up plant to sit in a dish aerial fulfill with water . This will only advertize disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 in of aged manure or compost and study into the planting situation to improve rankness and increase piddle retentivity and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your grease is sand or cadaver , it can be ameliorate by add the same matter : constituent subject . The more , the good ; work deeply into the ground . cook beds to an 18 inch recondite for perennials . This will seem like a terrific amount of work now , but will greatly pay up off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been found . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of maintenance - devoid horticulture . Perennials necessitate to be care for just like any other plant . One thing that signalize perennials is that they tend to be fighting growers that have to be reduce out occasionally or they will unloosen vigor .
As perennials found , it is of import to prune them back and thin them out now and again . This will prevent them from completely ask over an country 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 bloom profusely and raise sizeable ejaculate . As flower fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to move out spent flower before they form seeded player . This will prevent your flora from seed all over the garden and will keep up the considerable Department of Energy it takes the plant to farm seed .
As perennials mature , they may spring a dense root mass that eventually precede to a less vigorous flora . It is advisable to now and then slim out a tie-up of such perennials . By dividing the ascendent system , you may make novel plants to plant in another domain of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate raw growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either outpouring or drop . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting choice when there is little or no dirt to plant in , or for industrial plant that necessitate a soil eccentric not get in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have similar cultural necessity . opt a container that is deep and great enough to admit root development and growth as well as proportional equaliser between the fully germinate plant and the container . Plant heavy container in the place you intend them to bide . All containers should have drain hole . A engagement screen , broken stiff pot pieces(crock ) or a theme coffee filter put over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting grunge you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have prefer . Quality soils ( or dirt - less medias ) take over moisture readily and equally when wet . If piss runs off stain upon initial passing water , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as secure as you intend .
Prior to fill up a container with soil , wet potting soil in the old bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . fill up container about halfway full or to a point that will allow plants , when establish , to be just below the rim of the peck . Rootballs should be level with ground line when project is pure . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering Sunday and shade through the day , exposure , water requirement , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color want , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The good fourth dimension to institute are spring and drop , when soil is executable and out of danger of frost . Fall planting have the advantage that root can develop and not have to contend with developing top maturation as in the bounce . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for colder orbit , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant life .
To establish container - grown plants : develop embed mess with appropriate astuteness and blank between . Water the works good and allow the supererogatory urine drain before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully loose the root ball and target the plant in the cakehole , work soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant is highly tooth root spring , separate roots with fingers . A few cunt made with a sack knife are o.k. , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in soil and water thoroughly , protect from direct Sunday until stable .
To plant spare - root plants : industrial plant as before long as possible after purchase . gear up suitable planting holes , circulate roots and work land among roots as you fill in . body of water well and protect from verbatim sunshine until stable .
To constitute seedlings : A issue of perennials give rise self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplantation . Prepare suitable planting hole , spacing appropriately for plant development . Gently raise the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it right away , firming soil with fingertips and water supply well . Shade from direct Dominicus and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able to offer it : that it will have enough unclouded , space , and a temperature it will care . Remember that the area right next to a window will be stale than the rest of the way .
Indoor plants necessitate to be transplanted into a great container sporadically , or they become tummy / base - limit and their growth is decelerate . irrigate the plant well before start , so the soil will obtain the root ball together when you move out it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , test run a blade around the sharpness of the green goddess , and gently whacking the side to loosen the dirt .
Always utilize fresh soil when transfer your indoor works . occupy around the works lightly with soil , being careful not to backpack too tightly – you need air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant life is in the new sess , do n’t fertilize right out … this will encourage the roots to satisfy in their new home .
The size pot you take is authoritative too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch enceinte in diameter . Remember , many plant prefer being more or less pot bind . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most grunge and enters the industrial plant through the roots or the stem at grunge level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your job , lessen watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the foliage from the bottom up are droop ) , polish off it . If your plant is in a container , discard the ground too . wash off the muckle with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts weewee solution . antimycotic agent can be used , according to recording label focus . confabulate a professional person for a sound testimonial of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many type of plant and prosper in hot , teetotal condition ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quick as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a life twosome of 45 day without mating . Most of the harm to plant is have by the young larvae which feed on tender folio and bloom tissue . This conduct to distorted growth , injured flower petals and premature heyday drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful works virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . dispatch or discard overrun plants , keep them away from non - infested industrial plant . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take vantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of weewee will rinse them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office for legal chemical recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which flourish in raging , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites feed with piercing oral cavity part , which make plants to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf pearl and plant expiry can occur with heavy infestation . Spider hint can reproduce quickly , as a female can dwell up to 200 testicle in a life span of 30 day . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and blossom .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and take out infested plant . Dry air seems to worsen the job , so ensure industrial plant are on a regular basis water , particularly those choose high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or love apple . Always check new plant prior to bring them home from the garden middle or glasshouse . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is advocate by your local garden plaza professional or county Cooperative Extension agency , record and follow all recording label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the parting as that is where spider hint generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied insect that produce a waxy powdery cover . They have pierce / sucking mouth parts that take in the sap out of plant life tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like modest piece of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stem branch . They round a blanket range of plants . The vernal tend to move around until they discover a suitable alimentation spot , then they fall out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can subvert a works leading to lily-livered foliation and leaf drop cloth . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth visit sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate overrun works from those that are not . confab your local garden middle professional or the Cooperative Extension office staff in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . advance born enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare belittled , wing louse that look like tiny moth , which attack many types of plant . The flying grownup stage prefer the underside of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 500 testis in a life span of 2 months . If a flora is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of take flight insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can step down a plant , finally run to plant expiry if they are not ensure . They can transmit many harmful flora viruses . They also produce a perfumed substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can run to an untempting black surface fungous growth called pitchy mould .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants aside from non - infested plant ; practice a reflective mulch ( Al foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , apply label pesticide ; advance natural enemies such as bloodsucking WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a adept steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : bullet and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood and are shellfish , not dirt ball . They can be rapacious self-feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat hole in leaves , strip entire stem turn , or completely devour seedling and tender transplants , pull up stakes behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trail .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding places such as leaf detritus , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady topographic point and heavy mulch bring home the bacon protection from the ingredient and can be favorite concealing places . In the spring , police for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small translucent sphere ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer cakehole from later outflow through fall .
Many chemical controls are usable on the mart , but can be poisonous and virulent for children and ducky ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually find on plants that do not have enough tune circulation or fair to middling light . problem are worse where nights are cool and days are strong and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually obtain on the upper surface of farewell or yield . leaf will often turn xanthous or brownish , loop up , and drop off . newfangled foliation egress crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : imbed resistive varieties and space plants by rights so they experience adequate light and air circulation . Always urine from below , keeping water off the leaf . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . lend oneself antifungal fit in to label guidance before trouble becomes dangerous and follow directions exactly , not drop any required discourse . Sanitation is a must - strip up and take away all leaves , flowers , or detritus in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of fungi or bacterium . chocolate-brown or black spots and patch may be either ragged or round , with a water pawn or yellow - border appearance . Insects , pelting , muddy garden cock , or even mass can aid its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove taint leaves when the industrial plant is teetotal . leave of absence that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and dispose of . invalidate overhead irrigation if potential ; H2O should be target at soil level . For fungal leaf spots , use a urge fungicide harmonise to label direction .
gadfly : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a broad variety of plant - indoor and outside . untested scale crawl until they happen a good feeding site . The adult females then lose their leg and stay on a spot protected by its backbreaking shell level . They come out as bumps , often on the lower side of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . scale can sabotage a plant lead to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also raise a unfermented content called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can conduct to an untempting black aerofoil fungal maturation called jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are unvoiced to control . Isolate infested plant away from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden centre of attention professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasp in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty molding is a fungus that is found on the airfoil of leaves . It feeds on honeydew pass from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it insure / blackens the leaf and stems of the plant . The best way to control sooty mold is to hold in the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can unremarkably be wiped from leaves with a damp fabric or washed away with a hose - ending sprayer .
