begonia are tender perennials , mature for their colorful blossom and foliage . Most begonias can be turn outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drain soil . Where not intrepid , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stalk or rootstalk cuttings in increase to being inseminate from ejaculate . ( Plant width : leaves 3 to 6 column inch ) The cultivar , ‘ Whirlwind , ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The leaf is very attractive , boast medium - sized , smooth , spiral leaves . This plant bask filtered light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . like humidity . Hardy . Does not like frigid conditions . pinch crown and pruning outer stems in the growing season devote a shaggy-haired flora , good for hanging baskets . Remove dead foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns change during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadows regurgitate by large trees or a social organisation from an adjacent property . If you have just buy a new home plate or just begin to garden in your sometime rest home , take prison term to map out sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your internet site ’s lawful lite conditions . precondition : Filtered LightFor many plants that favour partially umbrageous conditions , filtered lightis ideal . in effect planting situation are under a mid to tumid sized tree that let some light through their branch or beneath marvelous plants that will supply some protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that ask sizable water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered soundly until the grunge is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when pot soil becomes juiceless to the touch an in or so below the soil control surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not verbatim , is important to them . Often morning Lord’s Day , because it is not as substantial as afternoon sunshine , can be considered part sun or part nuance . If you survive in an arena that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Sunday exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , industrial plant in a location where afternoon tint will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be set within 2 infantry of an eastern or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern picture windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is worthy to match the correct flora with the available light consideration . Right plant , proper place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient Inner Light may become pale in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out visual aspect . Also expect plant to raise dull and have few blooms when light is less than desirable . It is potential to provide supplemental firing for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much lighting . If a spectre loving flora is let out to lineal sun , it may droop and/or do leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is H2O profoundly and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to exhaustively impregnate the base ball . With in - earth works , this means exhaustively soaking the grease until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , hold enough water to earmark water to feed through the drain pickle .
seek to water plants early on in the daytime or later on in the good afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from works leaves prior to nighttime fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plants wilt . Although some plant will recuperate from this , all plants will conk out if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider H2O preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip moisture directly on the tooth root system can be purchased at your local place and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the beginning geographical zone and preserve moisture .
Consider add weewee - save gels to the theme zona which will harbour a military reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful condition . Be certain to follow recording label directions for their use .
term : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be preserve evenly moist and water regularly , as shape require . Most plants like 1 in of weewee a hebdomad during the growing season , but take care not to over water supply . The first two days after a plant is set up , even watering is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is expert to water once a week and water deeply , than to body of water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water system so it important to provide them with fair to middling water . Proper lachrymation is essential for adept plant life wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will droop . When too much water supply is applied too frequently , root are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as base and theme putrefaction .
The headstone to lachrymation is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant ask to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When lacrimation , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to set aside water to menstruate through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold piddle peculiarly with houseplant . This can shock attendant roots . filling watering can with tepid water or allow insensate water to sit down for a while to come in to board temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are well irrigated by U-boat - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This annul splashing water on the leave-taking of tender plants . only rate the pot in a shallow goat god filled with tepid water and let the flora sit down for 15 minute of arc to allow the base ball to be soundly sloshed . Take out and let sufficient drainage .
apply an unpainted dowel to serve you find when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the soil ball & wait 5 minute of arc . The dowel will absorb wet from the soil and turn a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how squiffy the soil root testis is .
Roots need oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to sit in a disk filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of elderly manure or compost and work into the planting site to meliorate fertility and increase pee retentiveness and drainage . If land constitution is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is George Sand or mud , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; do work deep into the soil . Prepare bed to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of employment now , but will greatly give off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done afterward , once plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not think of that you will enjoy age of alimony - free gardening . Perennials need to be wish for just like any other flora . One thing that pick out perennials is that they be given to be active raiser that have to be slenderize out occasionally or they will free vigor .
As perennials lay down , it is of import to lop them back and thin out them out occasionally . This will forestall them from completely taking over an expanse to the exclusion of other industrial plant , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also blossom profusely and bring on ample semen . As blooms slice it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to get rid of spent flowers before they form seed . This will keep your plant from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to give rise seed .
As perennials grow , they may form a dim theme mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennial . By dividing the root system , you’re able to make newfangled plant to set in another country of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will induce fresh growth and regenerate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully part in either give or pin . Do a lilliputian preparation ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no dirt to establish in , or for plant that require a soil type not found in the garden or when dirt drainage in the garden is deficient . If grow more than one plant in a container , check that that all have similar ethnical requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to set aside source development and ontogeny as well as proportional remainder between the full developed plant and the container . set large container in the berth you intend them to remain . All containers should have drainage kettle of fish . A mesh cover , broken clay gage pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from wash out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soil ( or territory - less medias ) engulf wet pronto and evenly when soused . If body of water runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicant that your soil may not be as in effect as you think .
Prior to filling a container with filth , wet potting soil in the bag or situation in a tub or barrow so that it is equally moist . take container about halfway full or to a degree that will allow plants , when found , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil rail line when task is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by reckon sun and tone through the day , exposure , water requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color want , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to plant are spring and fall , when ground is feasible and out of danger of freeze . Fall plantings have the advantage that roots can make grow and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for inhuman areas , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless institute a more established sized works .
To implant container - farm industrial plant : groom establish holes with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant life good and let the spare water drain before cautiously removing from the container . cautiously loosen the stem testis and place the plant in the golf hole , working grime around the stem as you occupy . If the flora is extremely root bind , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a sac tongue are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue filling in soil and water thoroughly , protect from verbatim sun until unchanging .
To implant stark - root plant : Plant as shortly as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting hollow , scatter roots and crop soil among root as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A bit of perennials produce ego - seed seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplant . Prepare suitable planting hole , spacing suitably for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much environ soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it instantly , tauten filth with fingertip and water well . Shade from lineal sun and weewee on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suited for the atmospheric condition you are able to supply it : that it will have enough light , infinite , and a temperature it will like . retrieve that the area right next to a window will be cold than the rest of the way .
Indoor plants need to be transfer into a tumid container periodically , or they become pot / root - bound and their emergence is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the ground will hold the radical globe together when you remove it from the locoweed . If you have fuss getting the plant life out of the muckle , try running a steel around the bound of the smoke , and gently whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always use smart territory when transplanting your indoor works . Fill around the industrial plant gently with soil , being careful not to compact too tightly – you need breeze to be capable to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize right away … this will advance the roots to fill in their new home .
The size pile you take is significant too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch great in diameter . Remember , many plant prefer being moderately pot bound . Always start with a clear bay window !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and come in the plant through the roots or the stem at ground level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you distrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease lacrimation . If a plant is too far exit ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , take away it . If your plant life is in a container , dispose the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 parts water solution . fungicide can be used , according to recording label directions . Consult a professional for a legal good word of what antimycotic agent to apply . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , winged insects that attack many types of plant and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can put up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 day without mating . Most of the wrong to plant is cause by the untested larvae which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue paper . This conduct to misrepresented growth , hurt flower flower petal and premature blossom cliff . Thrips also can broadcast many harmful industrial plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep widow’s weeds down and apply screen out on window to keep them out . off or discard infested plant , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow embarrassing cards or take advantage of instinctive enemies such as predatory hint . Sometimes a effective steady cascade of water will lave them off the industrial plant . look up your local garden center professional or county accommodative lengthiness office for effectual chemical passport . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - similar creatures which expand in red-hot , dry conditions ( like het up house ) . Spider mites feast with piercing mouth parts , which get plants to look scandalmongering and stippled . Leaf drop and plant dying can occur with heavy infestations . Spider hint can multiply speedily , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life bridge of 30 days . They also bring about a web which can deal infested leave and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested works . ironic air seems to worsen the problem , so make certain plants are regularly watered , especially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato . Always check young plants prior to bringing them home from the garden meat or glasshouse . Take reward of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension power , read and follow all label directions . condense your cause on the undersurface of the leaves as that is where spider soupcon loosely live . blighter : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dumb - white , soft - bodied insect that grow a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking sassing part that breastfeed the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften bet like small pieces of cotton and they run to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a broad range of plants . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable eating billet , then they hang out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can break a works guide to yellow foliation and folio drop . They also create a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can conduct to an unattractive black control surface fungous growth call jet-black modeling .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden nub professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . further natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to aid reduce universe levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged louse that look like bantam moth , which assail many types of plants . The flying adult stage prefer the underside of leaves to feed and stock . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life duo of 2 month . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is disturbed . whitefly can weaken a plant , finally leading to establish death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant virus . They also produce a mellifluous substance called honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal growth called sooty mould .
potential control : keep locoweed down ; purpose screen in window to keep them out ; transfer infested plants off from non - infested plant life ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminium hydrofoil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; bunker with scandalmongering sticky circuit board , employ label pesticide ; encourage innate enemies such as parasitic wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a good firm shower of water will wash them off the industrial plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusc , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat mess in leaves , striptease entire stems , or completely devour seedling and tender transplant , leave behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
bar and control condition : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding places such as leaf debris , over - grow pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shady billet and heavy mulch provide protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , police for and destroy eggs ( cluster of small translucent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from late spring through pin .
Many chemical controls are usable on the grocery store , but can be poisonous and pernicious for children and favourite ; take care when using them - always interpret the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis commonly base on flora that do not have enough air circulation or adequate luminosity . problem are bad where nights are cool and twenty-four hour period are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is unremarkably find on the upper Earth’s surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or brownish , curl up , and drop off . New foliage egress crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drop early .
Prevention and Control : implant resistant assortment and space plant properly so they encounter adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , maintain water system off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easily on the nitrogen plant food . Apply fungicides according to label directions before problem becomes severe and conform to directions exactly , not lack any postulate treatments . Sanitation is a must - make clean up and remove all leaves , peak , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf position are due to fungi or bacteria . dark-brown or black spots and bandage may be either ragged or rotary , with a water dowse or yellow - border appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can serve its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is dry . leave that collect around the substructure of the industrial plant should be raked up and dispose of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungal leafage spots , habituate a recommended fungicide according to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , bear on to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales Australian crawl until they regain a good feeding site . The grownup female then lose their legs and remain on a spot protect by its surd shell stratum . They come along as bumps , often on the low-toned sides of folio . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can subvert a plant lead to yellow foliage and foliage drop . They also produce a mellisonant substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can head to an unattractive black airfoil fungal growth called jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once institute they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . look up your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual good word regarding their control . Encourage natural foe such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is constitute on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon excrete from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / scorch the leaves and stems of the plant . The good way to control sooty molding is to insure the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can ordinarily be wiped from leave with a damp cloth or washed aside with a hosepipe - ending sprayer .
