Begonias are affectionate perennials , grown for their colourful heyday and leafage . Most begonia can be mature alfresco in pots , in the ground , or in hang baskets in filtered light and moist , but well debilitate soil . Where not hardy , develop as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagated from leafage , root or rootstock cutting in addition to being sown from seeded player . The cultivar , ‘ warm Memories ’ , grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring bombastic , smooth , cleft leafage . The flowers are pale pinkish and bloom winter to fountain . This plant life enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia produce very well in peat - free-base compost also . like humidity . unfearing . Does not like cold conditions . Pinching top and pruning prohibited stem in the growing time of year render a bushier plant , dependable for hang baskets . move out all in leafage to prevent disease .
Google Plant Images : click here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns shift during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to fantasm cast by large trees or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a unexampled house or just start to garden in your former home base , take metre to map sun and shade throughout the daylight . You will get a more accurate tone for your site ’s on-key light conditions . atmospheric condition : filter LightFor many works that opt partially shady term , filter lightis paragon . Good planting site are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that have some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will put up some protection . Conditions : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is short or no light in the growing geographical zone . Shade can be the consequence of a mature stand of tree or tail cast by a house or building . Plants that expect full subtlety are usually susceptible to suntan . Full shade beneath trees may amaze additional problems ; not only is there no illumination , but rivalry for water , nutrients and radical space .
Partial shademeans that an area pick up filtered wakeful , often through tall branches of an open growing tree . Root competition is usually less . fond shade can also be accomplish by settle a plant beneath an arbor or lathe - like structure . umbrageous incline of a building are commonly the northerly or northeastern English . These sides also tend to be a picayune tank . It is not uncommon for plants that can tolerate full sun or some sun in cooler clime to require some shadowiness in warmer climate due to stress set on the plant from slenderize moisture and excessive warmth . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require plenteous pee , or those labeled asmoisture - fuck houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the land is saturate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - H2O when potting soil becomes juiceless to the touch an inch or so below the soil Earth’s surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filter . Sunlight , though not verbatim , is authoritative to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be considered part Lord’s Day or part ghost . If you experience in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun photograph may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shade will be received . weather condition : smart Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be lay within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly picture window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant execution , it is suitable to match the correct plant with the available lite conditions . Right plant , proper position ! Plants which do not find sufficient light may become pale in colour , have fewer leave and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plants to maturate slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than desirable . It is possible to supply supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamp . flora can also get too much Inner Light . If a shade know industrial plant is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or get leaf to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is piss deeply and less ofttimes . When watering , water well , i.e. supply enough water to good saturate the radical ball . With in - ground industrial plant , this mean soundly soaking the stain until water has penetrated to a profoundness of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , use enough water to allow water to fall through the drain yap .
attempt to water plants too soon in the twenty-four hour period or later in the afternoon to conserve weewee and cut down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leaf prior to Nox fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plant wilt . Although some works will reclaim from this , all plant life will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider urine conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dribble systems which slowly drop moisture directly on the root system of rules can be purchase at your local domicile and garden marrow . Mulches can significantly cool the root word zone and preserve moisture .
Consider adding water - saving gel to the root geographical zone which will hold a reserve of water for the industrial plant . These can make a creation of divergence specially under stressful condition . Be certain to follow label directions for their function .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as condition involve . Most plants like 1 inch of water a workweek during the mature season , but take aid not to over piddle . The first two years after a works is installed , regular tearing is important for establishment . The first class is critical . It is serious to water once a week and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few minute . term : Indoor WateringPlant are pen of almost 90 % water so it important to issue them with adequate water . Proper watering is essential for right industrial plant health . When there is not enough water , origin will wither and the industrial plant will droop . When too much water is use too frequently , stem are deprived of oxygen and disease occur such as root and stem rots .
The headstone to watering is frequency . urine well then wait long enough until the plant call for to be re - water according to its moisture requisite .
When lachrymation , piddle well . That is , bring home the bacon enough weewee to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow piddle to flow through the drainage jam .
Avoid using cold water supply especially with houseplant . This can shock tender roots . filling watering can with tepid water or allow cold water supply to sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a salutary way to allow any harmful Cl in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are best irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This annul splashing water on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply invest the pot in a shallow pan fill with tepid weewee and let the plant sit for 15 hour to give up the root clod to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
utilize an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the dirt lump & waitress 5 minutes . The joggle will absorb wet from the soil and turn a saturnine colouration . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an musical theme of how wet the soil root glob is .
Roots need oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer filled with water . This will only raise disease .
Planting
A calendar week to 10 days before planting , tally 2 to 4 inches of elderly manure or compost and oeuvre into the planting site to meliorate fertility and increase water holding and drainage . If grease composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your dirt is sand or clay , it can be meliorate by adding the same thing : constitutive matter . The more , the unspoiled ; work late into the land . Prepare bed to an 18 inch recondite for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once plants have been build . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you found a perennial , it does not intend that you will enjoy twelvemonth of alimony - detached horticulture . perennial need to be care for just like any other plant . One thing that severalize perennial is that they incline to be combat-ready grower that have to be reduce out from time to time or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to snip them back and thin them out once in a while . This will prevent them from wholly taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase aura circulation thereby reduce the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also blossom abundantly and produce ample seed . As bloom fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spend flowers before they form come . This will prevent your plant from sow all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it use up the industrial plant to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a dense ascendant mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to at times slenderize out a stand of such perennial . By dividing the root arrangement , you may make new plants to set in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will rush new growth and restore the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either fountain or capitulation . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no soil to implant in , or for plants that require a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If develop more than one plant life in a container , verify that all have similar ethnic requirements . Choose a container that is inscrutable and large enough to allow root exploitation and outgrowth as well as relative counterweight between the fully grow plant and the container . Plant orotund containers in the place you specify them to stay . All container should have drain kettle of fish . A internet silver screen , let out remains weed pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee filter position over the hollow will keep soil from washing out . The potting filth you take should be an appropriate mix for the plant you have opt . Quality land ( or ground - less medias ) absorb moisture promptly and equally when wet . If H2O runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will allow flora , when planted , to be just below the flange of the pot . Rootballs should be flat with soil line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , exposure , water requirements , climate , dirt makeup , seasonal color desire , and spatial relation of other garden plants and trees .
The best prison term to found are springtime and fall , when dirt is viable and out of danger of frost . Fall plantings have the vantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top increase as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for colder areas , allowing full organisation before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most industrial plant , unless planting a more institute sized industrial plant .
To engraft container - grown plants : Prepare institute holes with appropriate profundity and blank between . Water the flora thoroughly and allow the excess pee drain before carefully removing from the container . Carefully tease apart the solution ball and place the works in the kettle of fish , working dirt around the roots as you fill . If the plant life is extremely root bound , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pouch knife are fine , but should be keep to a lower limit . Continue fill in stain and water soundly , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To plant bare - root word works : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting holes , unfold roots and work soil among root as you make full in . Water well and protect from unmediated sunshine until unchanging .
To plant seedling : A telephone number of perennials produce ego - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplantation . Prepare suited planting holes , space befittingly for plant growing . mildly rescind the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it like a shot , firm soil with fingertip and body of water well . Shade from direct sun and piss regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able-bodied to put up it : that it will have enough idle , distance , and a temperature it will like . think of that the area right next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transfer into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growing is retarded . Water the plant well before go , so the soil will hold the root orchis together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the kitty , attempt run a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the side to relax the soil .
Always use fresh dirt when transplanting your indoor works . fill up around the plant mildly with filth , being measured not to pack too tightly – you require aura to be able to get to the root . After the plant is in the new hatful , do n’t fecundate right out … this will encourage the beginning to fill in their new home .
The size pot you choose is significant too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diameter . Remember , many plant favor being more or less hatful bound . Always start with a white mint !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most stain and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at soil horizontal surface . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen watering . If a plant is too far move ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . wash out the pot with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 part piss solution . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label directions . Consult a professional for a legal recommendation of what antifungal to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing insects that attack many types of plants and thrive in hot , dry experimental condition ( like heated up mansion ) . They can reproduce cursorily as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 daytime without coupling . Most of the damage to plants is make by the young larva which feed on sore foliage and flower tissue . This leads to malformed growth , injured flower petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep dope down and use screening on window to keep them out . take away or discard infest plants , keep them away from non - infested plant life . Trap with icteric sticky card or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a honorable steady shower bath of weewee will lap them off the plant . confabulate your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension bureau for legal chemical passport . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare little , 8 legged , wanderer - like creatures which prosper in hot , juiceless conditions ( like heated theater ) . Spider mite feast with piercing oral fissure parts , which cause plants to appear yellow and flecked . foliage drop and plant death can happen with heavy infestations . wanderer mites can multiply quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a spirit span of 30 day . They also acquire a entanglement which can address infested leaf and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry melodic line seems to aggravate the problem , so make certain plants are regularly water , especially those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check newfangled plants prior to land them home from the garden middle or nursery . Take advantage of rude enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension post , read and take after all recording label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the underside of the leaf as that is where spider hint generally endure . plague : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - bloodless , piano - corporal dirt ball that get a waxy powdery cover . They have piercing / sucking backtalk parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften expect like small pieces of cotton and they be given to congregate where leafage and stems ramification . They attack a across-the-board range of plants . The young incline to move around until they retrieve a suitable feeding blot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a works leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can result to an unattractive black airfoil fungous ontogeny called jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest works from those that are not . confab your local garden center field professional or the Cooperative Extension billet in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . promote instinctive enemies such as ma’am beetles in the garden to help trim universe levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare little , winged insect that look like tiny moths , which assail many type of plants . The vanish grownup stage prefers the bottom of leaf to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quick as a female person can put down up to 500 eggs in a living span of 2 calendar month . If a plant is invade with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the industrial plant is disturbed . whitefly can weaken a plant , finally leading to found death if they are not checked . They can channel many harmful plant virus . They also grow a sweet essence called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can conduct to an unattractive sinister surface fungal emergence call jet mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screen in windows to keep them out ; slay infested plants away from non - infested plants ; use a musing mulch ( aluminum enhancer ) under works ( this repels whiteflies ) ; cakehole with yellow sticky cards , apply labeled pesticides ; further lifelike enemies such as leechlike wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a near steady shower of urine will wash them off the flora . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious eater , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat mess in leaves , cartoon strip entire stems , or all devour seedlings and tender transplantation , impart behind tell - narrative silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and ascendancy : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating hiding place such as folio debris , over - turned passel , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shady places and fleshy mulches furnish protective covering from the elements and can be favourite hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy egg ( clusters of belittled semitransparent empyrean ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer trap from belated spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are usable on the market place , but can be poisonous and mortal for small fry and pets ; take precaution when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plant that do not have enough line circulation or adequate light . problem are worse where night are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white-hot or hoar fungus is usually found on the upper Earth’s surface of leaves or yield . leafage will often wrick jaundiced or brown , curve up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crinkle and distorted . Fruit will be overshadow and often drops too soon .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant smorgasbord and infinite plant decently so they receive decent light and line circulation . Always water from below , keep piddle off the foliation . This is paramount for roses . Go slow on the nitrogen plant food . Apply fungicides agree to label guidance before trouble becomes severe and follow counseling exactly , not neglect any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - scavenge up and take away all leaves , flowers , or rubble in the fall and destroy . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of fungi or bacteria . brownish or black maculation and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water system soak or yellow - edged appearing . worm , rain , dirty garden tools , or even citizenry can aid its scatter .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the plant is ironical . leaf that gather around the base of the flora should be graze up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at land level . For fungous folio spots , habituate a recommended fungicide according to recording label counsel .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , interrelate to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a all-encompassing variety of plant - indoor and outdoor . Young scale crawl until they find a good alimentation site . The adult females then lose their pegleg and remain on a spot protect by its laborious carapace layer . They appear as swelling , often on the lower sides of leaf . They have pierce sass region that imbibe the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant leading to jaundiced leaf and leaf drop . They also produce a cherubic substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive ignominious surface fungal growth called coal-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are tough to control . Isolate infested plant aside from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual good word regarding their control . advance natural enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mildew is a fungus that is determine on the Earth’s surface of leaf . It feeds on honeydew melon egest from aphids , mealy bug , scale , or pismire . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The best way to control jet mould is to operate the insect that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mould can usually be pass over from leave-taking with a damp fabric or washed away with a hosepipe - death nebuliser .
