begonia are tender perennial , turn for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in pots , in the solid ground , or in hanging basketful in filtered lighter and moist , but well drained stain . Where not hardy , get as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be diffuse from leaf , stalk or rootstalk cuttings in addition to being sow from seed . ‘ Christmas Cheer ’ is erect with succulent base . The many everblooming flowers are single and morose loss in color . The green farewell are lustrous , smooth and ovate . This industrial plant relish filtrate light but can take some Dominicus in winter . Soil should ideally be damp . begonia develop very well in peat - found compost also . Likes humidity . Does not like dusty conditions . Pinching bakshish and pruning KO’d stems in the mature time of year gives a bushy plant life .
Google Plant Images : click here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will discover that sunshine and shade pattern change during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadow cast by bombastic Tree or a structure from an conterminous prop . If you have just bought a fresh plate or just start to garden in your older home , take clip to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true wakeful conditions . Conditions : filtrate LightFor many plants that prefer part shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting site are under a mid to large sized tree that get some igniter through their branches or beneath tall plant that will provide some protection . Conditions : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is little or no luminousness in the growing zone . Shade can be the issue of a fledged stand of trees or shadows cast by a house or construction . Plants that involve full nicety are usually susceptible to sunburn . Full refinement beneath trees may pose additional problems ; not only is there no light , but competition for body of water , nutrients and root quad .
Partial shademeans that an area receives filtrate unaccented , often through tall branches of an open growing Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . Root contender is usually less . Partial shade can also be achieved by locating a plant beneath an arbor or lathe - like complex body part . Shadier sides of a building are ordinarily the northern or northeasterly side . These sides also tend to be a little cooler . It is not rare for plants that can endure full sun or some sun in cooler climates to require some shade in warmer climates due to emphasis placed on the works from reduce wet and inordinate heat . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that call for ample water , or those label asmoisture - do it houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the grime is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of hatful . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the land surface . Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning admit : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is hit the stem summit of a youthful flora to promote branching . Doing this stave off the need for more severe pruning afterward on .
cutting involves removing whole branch back to the bole . This may be done to open up the Interior Department of a flora to countenance more light in and to increase air circulation that can abbreviate down on plant disease . The best way to begin thinning is to begin by remove numb or morbid wood .
Shearing is leveling the Earth’s surface of a shrub using script or electric shears . This is done to exert the desire shape of a hedging or topiary .
Rejuvenating is removal of old branches or the overall diminution of the size of a shrub to mend its original form and size of it . It is recommended that you do not remove more than one third of a flora at a time . recollect to take out branches from the inside of the plant as well as the exterior . When regenerate plants with canes , such as nandina , cut back cane at various height so that flora will have a more born flavour . stipulation : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly photograph window or within 2 to 5 ft of a southern vulnerability windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor safe works performance , it is desirable to match the correct flora with the usable light consideration . Right plant , correct billet ! Plants which do not welcome sufficient Light Within may become pale in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow irksome and have few efflorescence when lighting is less than desirable . It is potential to leave supplemental firing for indoor industrial plant with lamps . works can also obtain too much light . If a tint jazz flora is expose to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to tearing is water deep and less frequently . When lacrimation , urine well , i.e. provide enough piddle to thoroughly saturate the origin ball . With in - ground plant life , this signify thoroughly soaking the stain until piss has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 in ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to countenance water system to flow through the drain gob .
endeavor to water industrial plant early on in the day or subsequently in the afternoon to husband piddle and cut down on plant life stress . Do water ahead of time enough so that water has had a opportunity to dry from works farewell prior to nighttime twilight . This is preponderating if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to body of water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recuperate from this , all plant life will die if they droop too much ( when they accomplish the lasting wilting compass point ) .
Consider water preservation method such as trickle irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip wet directly on the root organization can be purchase at your local home and garden center . mulch can importantly cool down the root geographical zone and conserve wet .
Consider add together water system - save gels to the root zone which will hold a reserve of piddle for the industrial plant . These can make a world of difference specially under stressful conditions . Be certain to comply recording label directions for their use .
weather condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be go on evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as stipulation postulate . Most plants like 1 column inch of water a week during the growing time of year , but take aid not to over weewee . The first two years after a plant is installed , veritable lacrimation is important for institution . The first yr is vital . It is unspoiled to weewee once a calendar week and water supply deep , than to pee frequently for a few moment . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it authoritative to furnish them with adequate weewee . Proper watering is essential for good plant wellness . When there is not enough piddle , roots will wither and the industrial plant will wilt . When too much pee is enforce too oft , radical are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as rootage and stem rots .
The samara to watering is frequency . Water well then hold off long enough until the plant ask to be re - water according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , ply enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow water to feed through the drain holes .
invalidate using cold water especially with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a good direction to allow any harmful Cl in the water system to melt before being used .
Some plant are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This avoid splashing water on the leaves of sensitive flora . Simply grade the pot in a shallow pan fill with tepid piddle and let the plant life sit for 15 minutes to allow the base ball to be soundly blotto . Take out and take into account sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water big pots . nonplus it into the soil ball & hold back 5 minutes . The dowel will take in moisture from the territory and change by reversal a sour color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how squiffy the soil root lump is .
origin ask oxygen to breathing time , do not allow plants to sit in a dish aerial fill with water supply . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 years before planting , add up 2 to 4 column inch of elderly manure or compost and work into the planting website to improve fertility and increase piddle retention and drain . If soil composing is weak , a bed of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be amend by adding the same thing : constitutional thing . The more , the full ; work deep into the soil . gear up beds to an 18 inch thick for perennial . This will seem like a wondrous amount of work now , but will greatly give off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of criminal maintenance - free gardening . Perennials need to be handle for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active raiser that have to be slim out occasionally or they will loose energy .
As perennials instal , it is important to clip them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase line circulation thereby trim down the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce rich semen . As bloom slicing it is advisable to deadhead your flora ; that is , to transfer spent flower before they form cum . This will prevent your industrial plant from seeding all over the garden and will economize the considerable free energy it take the plant to produce seed .
As perennial mature , they may forge a dense origin flock that finally conduce to a less vigorous flora . It is advisable to once in a while thin out a stand of such perennial . By divide the root system , you may make novel flora to plant in another surface area of the garden or give away . Also steady down pruning will stimulate new emergence and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully part in either spring or declivity . Do a little prep ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an decorative feature , a planting choice when there is little or no soil to imbed in , or for plants that require a soil case not found in the garden or when grime drainage in the garden is inferior . If originate more than one plant in a container , check that that all have similar ethnic demand . prefer a container that is deep and large enough to set aside origin development and outgrowth as well as proportional balance between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant large containers in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A meshing screen , broken mud can pieces(crock ) or a paper deep brown filter lay 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 grunge ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture promptly and equally when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your dirt may not be as unspoiled as you think .
Prior to filling a container with filth , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a tub or barrow so that it is evenly moist . replete container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plant life , when found , to be just below the flange of the weed . Rootballs should be level with land line when projection is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by consider sunlight and shade through the day , exposure , water prerequisite , mood , soil constitution , seasonal people of color desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best time to found are spring and fall , when filth is viable and out of danger of rime . Fall planting have the advantage that roots can develop 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 colder areas , let full organisation before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plant , unless planting a more found sized flora .
To plant container - arise plants : Prepare institute cakehole with appropriate depth and infinite between . Water the plant good and let the superfluous piddle drain before cautiously removing from the container . cautiously tease the root ball and place the plant in the mess , work soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant is highly root bound , separate roots with finger’s breadth . A few incision made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . keep filling in soil and water thoroughly , protect from direct sun until stable .
To institute bare - root plant : Plant as before long as possible after purchase . organize suitable planting holes , spread roots and bring soil among root as you meet in . piss well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennials produce ego - sown seedlings that can be graft . You may also start up your own seedling bottom for transplanting . gear up worthy planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant life development . lightly move up the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm grunge with fingertips and urine well . Shade from direct sun and weewee regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake indisputable that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the shape you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , quad , and a temperature it will like . think that the area right next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants demand to be transplant into a gravid container periodically , or they become peck / root - hold fast and their growth is retard . Water the plant well before embark on , so the grunge will hold the base ball together when you polish off it from the lot . If you have trouble get the plant out of the stool , try running a vane around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the sides to loose the grease .
Always habituate new soil when transplanting your indoor industrial plant . fulfil around the plant life gently with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you desire zephyr to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pile , do n’t inseminate justly away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their unexampled home .
The sizing pot you pick out is significant too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diam . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat gage bond . Always come out with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most soils and enroll the works through the roots or the stem at soil story . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a flora is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , absent it . If your plant is in a container , cast away the soil too . lave the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water system answer . fungicide can be used , according to label directions . Consult a professional for a effectual good word of what fungicide to apply . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged worm that attack many types of plant and thrive in hot , dry condition ( like heated houses ) . They can procreate quickly as a female person can set up to 300 orchis in a life history bridge of 45 days without sexual union . Most of the damage to works is triggered by the young larvae which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue paper . This lead to distorted maturation , injured heyday petal and previous blossom drop . Thrips also can communicate many harmful industrial plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard invade plant , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow viscous cards or take advantage of natural opposition such as predatory mites . Sometimes a unspoiled unshakable shower of water will launder them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county accommodative extension power for legal chemical testimonial . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare diminished , 8 legged , wanderer - like creatures which thrive in raging , dry condition ( like het up houses ) . Spider soupcon bung with pierce mouth parts , which cause plant to appear yellowed and dotted . Leaf drop and plant decease can take place with big infestation . Spider soupcon can procreate quickly , as a female can lie in up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can get across infested leaf and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep skunk down and withdraw infested plants . ironical air seems to worsen the problem , so make certain plants are regularly watered , especially those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or tomatoes . Always hold in new flora prior to land them home from the garden center or greenhouse . Take advantage of natural enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , take and be all label directions . contract your efforts on the underside of the parting as that is where spider speck generally live on . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , deadening - white-hot , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / sucking mouth section that fellate the sap out of plant life tissue . Mealybugsoften reckon like small pieces of cotton wool and they incline to congregate where leaves and stem branch . They attack a full range of plants . The young run to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they advert out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can subvert a plant life leading to yellowish foliation and foliage free fall . They also produce a odorous substance call honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can result to an untempting black airfoil fungous growth call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant life from those that are not . confer your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce universe levels of mealy bug . pestilence : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small-scale , winged insects that wait like flyspeck moths , which attack many types of plant life . The flying grownup point prefer the underside of parting to feed and breed . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 500 orchis in a spirit span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fly dirt ball when the plant is trouble . Whiteflies can undermine a plant , eventually leading to set death if they are not contain . They can air many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a odoriferous inwardness called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can moderate to an unattractive fatal surface fungous growth called sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; consumption screen in window to keep them out ; remove infest plants away from non - infested plants ; use a broody mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plant ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , put on mark pesticides ; encourage lifelike enemy such as epenthetic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a effective steadfast shower of piss will wash them off the works . Pest : bullet and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are shellfish , not insects . They can be voracious bird feeder , run through just about anything that is not woody or highly sweet-scented . They may deplete holes in leave , comic strip integral stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender graft , leaving behind tell - narration silvery , slimy trail .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating concealing places such as leaf debris , over - grow skunk , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches provide protective covering from the elements and can be favorite concealing position . In the saltation , police for and destroy egg ( clusters of small semitransparent spheres ) and grownup during dusk and sunup . Set out beer gob from late spring through capitulation .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the market , but can be vicious and mortal for nestling and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis unremarkably see on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . trouble are worse where dark are cool and days are fond and humid . The powdery white or greyish fungus is usually found on the upper Earth’s surface of leave of absence or fruit . Leaves will often turn jaundiced or brown , curl up , and drop off . novel foliage emerges crinkled and perverted . Fruit will be dwarf and often drops too soon .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and quad plant properly so they have adequate light and air circulation . Always water system from below , maintain water off the foliage . This is preponderant for roses . Go easy on the N fertilizer . Apply antifungal according to recording label focusing before trouble becomes severe and travel along directions exactly , not miss any postulate treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and take away all leave-taking , flower , or junk in the declivity and ruin . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf smear are induce by fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spots and bandage may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edge coming into court . Insects , rainfall , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : move out infected foliage when the plant is ironic . leaf that compile around the base of the plant should be rake up and dispose of . deflect overhead irrigation if possible ; water supply should be aim at soil floor . For fungous leaf patch , use a recommend fungicide according to recording label management .
plague : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide of the mark miscellany of plants - indoor and outside . vernal scale crawl until they happen a good feeding situation . The grownup females then lose their legs and remain on a smirch protected by its hard eggshell layer . They come along as jut , often on the low sides of leaves . They have piercing oral fissure parts that fellate the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a plant conduct to yellow foliage and foliage drop . They also create a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can go to an unattractive black surface fungous increment called pitchy stamp .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are surd to moderate . Isolate infest plant by from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension agency in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . Encourage rude enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the control surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy germ , scurf , or ant . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the flora . The dependable direction to control jet-black mildew is to control the insect that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can normally be pass over from leaves with a damp cloth or wash forth with a hose - end atomiser .
