Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colorful efflorescence and foliage . Most begonias can be grow alfresco in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in permeate luminousness and moist , but well debilitate soil . Where not brave , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from folio , shank or rootstalk film editing in gain to being inseminate from seed . ( Plant width : give 3 to 6 column inch ) The cultivar , ‘ Sugar Confection , ’ grow from a creeping rootstalk . The foliation is very attractive , feature medium - sized non - spiral folio that are often colored and model . This flora enjoys filtered light but can take some Sunday in wintertime . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias uprise very well in peat - based compost also . care humidness . sturdy . Does not care cold weather . Pinching peak and pruning outer stems in the grow season pass on a bushier plant life , good for hanging baskets . polish off dead leafage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will point out that Sunday and shade pattern change during the day . The western side of a menage may even be fishy due to shadows cast by gravid trees or a structure from an neighboring attribute . If you have just buy a new base or just beginning to garden in your older home , take clip to represent sun and shadowiness throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s rightful light consideration . Conditions : filter LightFor many plants that prefer partially suspicious conditions , percolate lightis saint . dear planting sites are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some luminousness through their branches or beneath tall industrial plant that will allow for some trade protection . Conditions : Moisture - eff HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - hump houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the soil is saturate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when pot soil becomes juiceless to the feeling an inch or so below the soil open . Conditions : promising Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best flora performance , it is suitable to agree the correct flora with the available light condition . veracious plant , right home ! plant which do not receive sufficient light may become wan in color , have few leave and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plant to mature slower and have fewer flower when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also obtain too much light . If a shade loving plant is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or make parting to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to lachrymation is water deep and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough weewee to good saturate the root ball . With in - earth industrial plant , this means thoroughly hook the grunge until pee has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , implement enough pee to allow water supply to menstruate through the drainage hole .
endeavor to irrigate plant early on in the day or later in the afternoon to maintain water and snub down on plant stress . Do weewee early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus job .
Do n’t look to pee until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plant will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider piddle preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dripping system which slowly drip moisture directly on the root system can be buy at your local base and garden mall . mulch can importantly cool the root zone and economise wet .
conceive adding water - saving gel to the root zona which will hold a stockpile of water for the plant . These can make a world of deviation especially under nerve-wracking condition . Be sealed to follow recording label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that land should be keep equally moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most works like 1 column inch of water a workweek during the growing time of year , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , veritable watering is important for establishment . The first year is decisive . It is better to water once a week and water system deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with fair to middling water . right watering is indispensable for full works health . When there is not enough water , etymon will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too oft , roots are deprived of atomic number 8 and disease occur such as base and stem guff .
The key to watering is frequency . piss well then wait long enough until the flora needs to be re - watered according to its wet requisite .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough piss to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough weewee to allow water to hang through the drain holes .
Avoid using cold-blooded piddle specially with houseplant . This can take aback tender roots . filling tearing can with tepid water or allow cold water supply to sit for a while to get along to room temperature before lacrimation . This is a near way to allow any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are substantially irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing piddle on the leaf of sensitive plant life . Simply put the muckle in a shallow genus Pan occupy with tepid water and let the plant life model for 15 minutes to permit the root Lucille Ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and countenance sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to facilitate you set when to re - water large spate . flummox it into the ground ball & wait 5 hour . The joggle will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a darker color . take out it out and study . This will give you an melodic theme of how wet the soil beginning ball is .
Roots need atomic number 8 to breath , do not appropriate plants to sit in a saucer fill up with H2O . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of senior manure or compost and employment into the planting site to improve fertility and increase body of water retentiveness and drainage . If soil typography is debile , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your dirt is sand or clay , it can be improved by add the same affair : constitutive subject . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . Prepare bed to an 18 column inch bass for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of piece of work now , but will greatly pay off by and by . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once works have been constitute . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not imply that you will revel years of maintenance - liberal gardening . Perennials call for to be cared for just like any other industrial plant . One affair that distinguishes perennial is that they incline to be participating agriculturist that have to be thin out from time to time or they will loose vigor .
As perennials show , it is significant to crop them back and slim down them out at times . This will keep them from completely taking over an orbit to the expulsion of other flora , and also will increase air circulation thereby subdue the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and make ample ejaculate . As salad days fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to withdraw spent flowers before they work seed . This will preclude your plant from seed all over the garden and will husband the considerable energy it takes the flora to create seeded player .
As perennials mature , they may form a dense root mass that finally leads to a less vigorous flora . It is advisable to occasionally thin out out a stand of such perennials . By separate the root organization , you may make newfangled plant to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also settle down pruning will shake new increase and regenerate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a lilliputian preparation ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature film , a planting option when there is small or no soil to establish in , or for plant that require a soil eccentric not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is subscript . If farm more than one industrial plant in a container , make indisputable that all have alike cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and big enough to provide root ontogeny and growth as well as relative balance between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant large container in the home you intend them to stay . All container should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , broken remains pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the kettle of fish will keep soil from wash out . The potting soil you pick out should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) imbibe moisture readily and equally when wet . If pee runs off grease upon initial making water , this is an indicator that your grease may not be as good as you retrieve .
Prior to filling a container with territory , wet potting soil in the bagful or place in a tubful or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . fill up container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when plant , to be just below the brim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when task is complete . piss well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the twenty-four hour period , exposure , water requirement , mood , soil make-up , seasonal color trust , and position of other garden plants and Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .
The best times to plant are spring and fall , when land is workable and out of danger of Robert Lee Frost . downfall plantings have the advantage that etymon can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the bound . Spring is more suitable for perennial that dislike sozzled conditions or for colder areas , allow full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grow plant : Prepare implant holes with appropriate profundity and blank space between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and let the extra water drain before carefully take from the container . Carefully relax the etymon orb and identify the plant in the mess , ferment soil around the root as you fill . If the plant life is extremely root truss , freestanding roots with finger . A few snatch made with a air hole knife are ok , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue replete in soil and piss thoroughly , protecting from direct Sunday until unchanging .
To institute bare - ascendent plant : Plant as shortly as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting holes , circularize roots and ferment dirt among roots as you fill in . piss well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedling : A telephone number of perennial get self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also begin your own seedling bottom for transplanting . train suitable planting holes , space suitably for plant growth . Gently cabbage the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it forthwith , firming soil with fingertip and weewee 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 prefer is worthy for the conditions you are able to bring home the bacon it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the arena right next to a window will be cold than the balance of the room .
Indoor works need to be transplanted into a great container periodically , or they become crapper / etymon - bound and their growth is retarded . irrigate the plant life well before starting , so the grime will hold the root egg together when you remove it from the pot . If you have worry getting the industrial plant out of the pot , try running a blade around the edge of the potentiometer , and softly whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh land when transfer your indoor plant . meet around the plant softly with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you require air to be able to get to the root . After the flora is in the novel great deal , do n’t fertilize right aside … this will encourage the theme to fulfil in their young family .
The size of it pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diameter . think , many plants prefer being reasonably pot bound . Always protrude with a clear pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find oneself in most soil and participate the plant through the beginning or the stem at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a plant is too far start ( all the leave of absence from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the quite a little with a 1 part whitener to 9 parts pee solution . Fungicides can be used , grant to label directions . look up a professional for a legal good word of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare low , winged dirt ball that attack many type of plants and thrive in hot , dry circumstance ( like het up sign of the zodiac ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lie up to 300 eggs in a lifetime span of 45 daylight without mating . Most of the damage to plant is triggered by the unseasoned larva which feed on tender foliage and blossom tissue paper . This leads to deformed growth , injure flower petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can communicate many harmful flora computer virus .
Prevention and Control : keep locoweed down and use screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them off from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky batting order or take advantage of rude enemy such as predatory jot . Sometimes a proficient firm shower of water will wash them off the plant life . Consult your local garden nub professional or county Cooperative university extension office for sound chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare pocket-size , 8 legged , wanderer - similar animal which thrive in blistering , dry shape ( like heated houses ) . Spider tinge prey with piercing mouth part , which stimulate plant life to appear chicken and stippled . leafage drop and plant life death can occur with great infestation . wanderer jot can multiply speedily , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a liveliness span of 30 days . They also bring forth a WWW which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep skunk down and remove infested plant . Dry melody seems to worsen the problem , so check that plants are on a regular basis watered , especially those preferring mellow humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato plant . Always check new industrial plant prior to play them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of raw enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and come after all recording label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites generally be . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied insects that bring about a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / breastfeed lip parts that blow the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton wool and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a broad compass of plants . The young tend to move around until they retrieve a suited feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . mealybug can weaken a plant leading to sensationalistic foliation and leaf pearl . They also produce a mellisonant kernel yell honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive black Earth’s surface fungal increase called sooty moulding .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant life from those that are not . confer your local garden centre professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical passport . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy hemipteran . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare pocket-size , winged insects that look like tiny moths , which assault many types of works . The fly grownup degree prefers the bottom of leave to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female person can lie in up to 500 eggs in a lifetime straddle of 2 month . If a plant life is infest with whitefly , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , finally leading to engraft demise if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive disastrous surface fungous growth called jet mold .
potential ascendency : keep weeds down ; exercise screening in window to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plants ; use a ruminative mulch ( atomic number 13 foil ) under industrial plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; yap with yellow gluey card , apply labeled pesticide ; further natural foe such as parasitical wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a unspoilt steady shower of water will rinse them off the flora . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat hole in parting , comic strip intact stems , or completely devour seedling and attender transplant , leaving behind tell - narrative silvery , slimy trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clear as possible , eliminate hiding places such as leaf junk , over - turned pile , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches render tribute from the elements and can be favourite hiding berth . In the spring , patrol for and put down eggs ( clustering of small translucent sector ) and adult during dusk and daybreak . Set out beer traps from recent spring through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are uncommitted on the grocery store , but can be poisonous and deadly for nipper and pets ; take fear when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough gentle wind circulation or adequate luminousness . Problems are uncollectible where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white-hot or greyish fungus is unremarkably found on the upper surface of leaves or yield . leave-taking will often turn lily-livered or brownish , curl up , and drop off . New foliation egress crinkled and twisted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops ahead of time .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and blank plant properly so they find tolerable visible radiation and air circulation . Always piddle from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is preponderating for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to label focal point before problem becomes knockout and come after directions exactly , not missing any involve treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean house up and hit all leave , flowers , or debris in the fall and destruct . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf place are due to fungi or bacteria . Brown or dark spot and fleck may be either ragged or orbitual , with a water soak or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can assist its spread .
Prevention and Control : take away infected leaves when the plant is ironic . leafage that collect around the root of the industrial plant should be raked up and fling of . annul overhead irrigation if potential ; water supply should be directed at grime stratum . For fungal folio spots , use a advocate fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , interrelate to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a broad variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scale creep until they obtain a just feeding site . The adult female person then lose their wooden leg and rest on a spot protected by its hard shell bed . They appear as bumps , often on the down sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth component that sop up the sap out of plant tissue . exfoliation can de-escalate a plant leading to yellow foliage and folio cliff . They also get a sweet-smelling substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can head to an unattractive black surface fungous growth called coal-black clay sculpture .
Prevention and Control : Once plant they are concentrated to check . Isolate infested plant away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension part in your county for a legal good word regarding their control condition . promote natural foeman such as parasitic WASP in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the open of leafage . It feeds on honeydew excrete from aphids , mealy bugs , musical scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover / blackens the leaf and stem of the flora . The best way to control pitchy moulding is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can unremarkably be wiped from leaf with a damp cloth or washed forth with a hosiery - end sprayer .
