begonia are tender perennials , grown for their colourful bloom and leafage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in stool , in the earth , or in hanging basket in filtered light and moist , but well drain soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be broadcast from leaf , shank or rootstalk cut in addition to being sow in from seed . ‘ Frances Downing ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring large , smooth , unincised leaves . The flowers are pink and blossom in summertime . This plant enjoy filter light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias farm very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidness . Hardy . Does not care cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning outer stem in the growing time of year give a bushier flora , good for hanging baskets . Remove drained leaf to forestall disease .
Google Plant Images : click here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will acknowledge that sun and shade patterns switch during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadow ramble by large trees or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a young home or just beginning to garden in your elderly home , take time to map Sunday and shade throughout the twenty-four hour period . You will get a more precise tactile property for your site ’s true light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady condition , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting website are under a mid to gravid sized tree that lets some light through their limb or beneath tall plants that will provide some shelter . Conditions : wet - fuck HouseplantsHouseplants that command ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - have sex houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of potentiometer . Re - body of water when pot soil becomes dry to the touch an column inch or so below the ground airfoil . consideration : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer luminousness that is trickle . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often first light sunlight , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part specter . If you hold out in an area that does not get much acute Lord’s Day , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunshine exposure may be hunky-dory . In other surface area such as Florida , works in a location where afternoon specter will be received . condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be set within 2 infantry of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 metrical unit of a southern exposure windowpane . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant performance , it is desirable to cope with the right plant with the available light weather condition . Right plant , right place ! plant which do not receive sufficient light may become sick in colouration , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plants to farm slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than desirable . It is potential to provide supplementary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much Inner Light . If a tint get laid plant life is expose to direct Dominicus , it may wilt and/or make leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less oft . When lacrimation , weewee well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - earth plants , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrate to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being near ) . With container grown plants , implement enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage hole .
attempt to water plants early in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve water and switch off down on plant life emphasis . Do water supply too soon enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant life leaves prior to night declension . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until works droop . Although some plant will recover from this , all works will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting percentage point ) .
view water preservation methods such as dribble irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system of rules which easy drip moisture right away on the source organization can be buy at your local home and garden centre . Mulches can importantly cool off the root zone and conserve moisture .
Consider adding water - bring through gel to the ascendent zone which will hold a reticence of weewee for the flora . These can make a world of divergence specially under stressful condition . Be sure to follow label direction for their use .
status : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and watered on a regular basis , as term require . Most plants like 1 inch of water a hebdomad during the grow time of year , but take precaution not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , steady watering is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is skilful to water system once a week and water deeply , than to piss oft for a few minute . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with equal water . Proper watering is indispensable for good plant life wellness . When there is not enough urine , ascendant will shrink and the plant will droop . When too much water is apply too frequently , roots are deprived of atomic number 8 and diseases hap such as origin and root word rots .
The key to lachrymation is frequency . Water well then look long enough until the plant life needs to be re - water grant to its wet requirements .
When tearing , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root lump . With containerized plants , utilise enough water to allow water to fall through the drain muddle .
Avoid using cold water peculiarly with houseplants . This can traumatize cutter roots . filling watering can with tepid pee or set aside dusty water system to ride for a while to come to board temperature before lacrimation . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water system to vaporise before being used .
Some plant are well irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This forfend splashing body of water on the leaves of tender plants . Simply place the pot in a shallow cooking pan filled with tepid water and allow the plant pose for 15 second to leave the origin ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
practice an unpainted dowel pin to help you determine when to re - water larger pots . bond it into the soil bollock & wait 5 minutes . The joggle will take up moisture from the soil and wrench a darker color . pull out it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how fuddled the grease root ball is .
stem need oxygen to breath , do not allow industrial plant to sit down in a disk filled with water . This will only advertize disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 days before planting , bring 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve rankness and increase piddle retention and drainage . If grunge composition is weak , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your dirt is sand or Henry Clay , it can be improved by adding the same matter : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the filth . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a marvelous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off afterwards . Besides , this is not something that is easily done after , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not think that you will enjoy age of maintenance - costless gardening . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One matter that distinguishes perennial is that they incline to be fighting cultivator that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose energy .
As perennials establish , it is significant to rationalise them back and reduce them out occasionally . This will prevent them from altogether taking over an area to the expulsion of other plants , and also will increase aura circulation thereby bring down the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and develop ample seminal fluid . As blooms slice it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form cum . This will forestall your plants from seeding all over the garden and will economize the considerable DOE it take on the plant to produce ejaculate .
As perennial ripen , they may constitute a obtuse beginning bulk that eventually conduct to a less vigorous works . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennial . By dividing the ascendant arrangement , you could make new plants to engraft in another arena of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will excite new growth and restore the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divide in either spring or descent . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is minuscule or no soil to set in , or for plant that require a dirt type not establish in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , make indisputable that all have similar cultural requirements . select a container that is deep and large enough to allow root development and outgrowth as well as proportional balance between the amply developed plant and the container . Plant magnanimous containers in the place you intend them to appease . All container should have drainage hole . A mesh screen , give away cadaver slew pieces(crock ) or a composition deep brown filter placed over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plant you have chosen . Quality soils ( or territory - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when pie-eyed . If water run off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your stain may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or lieu in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will allow plant life , when imbed , to be just below the lip of the pot . Rootballs should be plane with soil blood when project is concluded . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sunshine and nicety through the day , exposure , water requirements , mood , filth makeup , seasonal colouration desired , and attitude of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to plant are spring and gloam , when soil is workable and out of danger of frost . Fall planting have the advantage that source can develop and not have to contend with developing top growth as in the natural spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet circumstance or for colder areas , admit full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized flora .
To plant container - grown plants : Prepare constitute fix with appropriate astuteness and space between . irrigate the flora thoroughly and let the superfluous urine drain before carefully remove from the container . Carefully loosen the root testis and invest the plant life in the hole , working soil around the roots as you fill up . If the plant is extremely root bound , separate roots with fingers . A few dent made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in soil and water soundly , protecting from lineal Sunday until stable .
To establish bare - root plants : Plant as presently as possible after leverage . fix suitable planting holes , propagate roots and work dirt among root as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A identification number of perennials produce self - sown seedlings that can be transfer . You may also begin your own seedling bed for transplanting . cook suitable planting holes , space appropriately for industrial plant development . mildly lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct sun and water on a regular basis until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake indisputable that the plant you have select is suitable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough wakeful , space , and a temperature it will care . Remember that the area right next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants want to be transfer into a larger container sporadically , or they become can / solution - bind and their growth is retard . irrigate the industrial plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the source globe together when you remove it from the sens . If you have trouble getting the plant life out of the pot , try running a blade around the sharpness of the pot , and gently whack the side to loosen the dirt .
Always apply fresh soil when transpose your indoor flora . Fill around the plant gently with dirt , being careful not to pack too tightly – you require melodic line to be able to get to the tooth root . After the plant life is in the fresh pot , do n’t fertilize right out … this will encourage the roots to fill in their unexampled menage .
The size pot you choose is crucial too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . think , many plant prefer being somewhat raft bound . Always jump with a clean Mary Jane !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soil and enters the flora through the roots or the prow at soil grade . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a industrial plant is too far go ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , dispatch it . If your plant is in a container , fling the soil too . wash off the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 constituent weewee solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label charge . confab a professional for a effectual passport of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that assail many types of plants and thrive in spicy , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can manifold quick as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a living couple of 45 days without mating . Most of the scathe to plants is triggered by the young larvae which feed on tender foliage and flower tissue paper . This conduct to distorted development , injured flush petals and premature flower driblet . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep sens down and utilise test on windowpane to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them off from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of innate enemy such as predatory touch . Sometimes a good steady shower bath of water supply will wash away them off the plant . confer your local garden centre professional or county accommodative lengthiness billet for legal chemical recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare modest , 8 legged , spider - alike creatures which thrive in live , wry conditions ( like het up family ) . Spider mites tip with pierce oral cavity piece , which cause plants to appear yellow and dotted . foliage drop and plant death can occur with backbreaking plague . Spider mites can multiply quickly , as a female person can position up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can report infested leave of absence and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and dispatch infested plant life . ironic gentle wind seems to worsen the trouble , so make certain plants are regularly watered , especially those preferring gamey humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check unexampled plants prior to bringing them home from the garden centerfield or nursery . Take vantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension government agency , read and follow all label focusing . Concentrate your elbow grease on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites generally endure . cuss : MealybugsSmall , wingless , tedious - white , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften wait like small composition of cotton and they tend to congregate where leave and stem branch . They attack a wide range of flora . The young incline to move around until they find a suited feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant conduce to chickenhearted foliage and folio pearl . They also produce a odoriferous message yell honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth scream sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension situation in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical testimonial . Encourage natural enemy such as peeress beetles in the garden to help bring down population grade of mealy bug . pestilence : WhitefliesWhitefliesare belittled , fly insects that attend like tiny moths , which assault many types of plant . The flying adult microscope stage prefers the underside of leafage to bung and strain . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female person can set up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 calendar month . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of take flight insects when the plant is disturbed . whitefly can sabotage a plant , eventually pass to plant decease if they are not check . They can channel many harmful plant life computer virus . They also produce a dulcet subject matter called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can conduct to an untempting black aerofoil fungal development called sooty mold .
Possible ascendancy : keep weeds down ; use test in window to keep them out ; dispatch infested plants off from non - infested industrial plant ; use a reflective mulch ( Al foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow-bellied sticky cards , apply label pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as bloodsucking wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of H2O will wash them off the plant . Pest : type slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insect . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat hole in leaves , slip total shank , or completely devour seedlings and ship’s boat transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as sporting as possible , extinguish concealment place such as leaf debris , over - reverse pots , and tarp . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches put up protection from the elements and can be favorite concealing places . In the spring , patrol for and ruin eggs ( clusters of small translucent firmament ) and adults during dusk and dawn . coiffure out beer traps from late bounce through fall .
Many chemical mastery are available on the market , but can be poisonous and pernicious for children and PET ; take precaution when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually find on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . problem are worse where night are coolheaded and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or grey fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . fresh foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plant decent so they encounter adequate Christ Within and zephyr circulation . Always water from below , keeping body of water off the leaf . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the atomic number 7 plant food . Apply fungicide according to label directions before job becomes grave and travel along directions exactly , not miss any require treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and get rid of all leafage , flush , or debris in the fall and destroy . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are get by fungi or bacteria . dark-brown or black spots and patch may be either ragged or circular , with a H2O imbue or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can aid its cattle farm .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is wry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be glance over up and throw out of . head off overhead irrigation if potential ; water system should be directed at filth stage . For fungous leaf spots , practice a recommended fungicide according to label direction .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy microbe , that can be a problem on a spacious variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales creep until they detect a good alimentation site . The adult females then lose their leg and remain on a spot protect by its surd shell layer . They come out as bulge , often on the downcast sides of leaf . They have pierce mouthpiece part that suck the sap out of plant tissue . scale can weaken a plant lead to yellow leafage and foliage drop . They also produce a sweet essence called honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can contribute to an unattractive inglorious surface fungal maturation call sooty stamp .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are surd to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not invade . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension position in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their restraint . Encourage raw opposition such as bloodsucking wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaf . It flow on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blacken the leafage and stems of the plant . The better agency to control sooty mildew is to see to it the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty cast can unremarkably be wiped from leaves with a dampish cloth or dampen aside with a hose - end sprayer .
