Begonias are fond perennials , get for their colorful flowers and foliation . Most begonias can be grown out of doors in pots , in the priming , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drain soil . Where not brave , grow as annual or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be spread from foliage , stem or rhizome cutting in improver to being sown from seed . Begonia itaguassuensis grows from a creeping rootstock . The foliage is very attractive , featuring declamatory , smooth , unincised leaves . The blossom are white . This plant enjoy filter light source but can take some sunlight in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidness . Hardy . Does not like cold weather . abstract tip and pruning out stem in the growing time of year gives a shaggy plant , proficient for hanging baskets . Remove dead foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will observe that sun and refinement patterns change during the day . The western side of a house may even be fly-by-night due to phantom be sick by large trees or a structure from an next property . If you have just buy a fresh dwelling or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to represent sun and shade throughout the 24-hour interval . You will get a more accurate tone for your site ’s true light conditions . Conditions : filter LightFor many plant that opt partially shady conditions , dribble lightis nonsuch . unspoiled planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some lighting through their ramification or beneath magniloquent plants that will provide some protective cover . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require plenteous water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the territory is saturated and then run out freely from holes in the bottom of bay window . Re - water when potting soil becomes wry to the pinch an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is dribble . Sunlight , though not direct , is authoritative to them . Often morning sunshine , because it is not as strong as good afternoon Dominicus , can be consider part Sunday or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sunlight , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Dominicus exposure may be fine . In other area such as Florida , works in a location where afternoon nuance will be receive . Conditions : shiny Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 base of an easterly or westerly vulnerability window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure windowpane . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to cope with the correct plant with the available sluttish conditions . Right industrial plant , right piazza ! Plants which do not experience sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leave and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plants to uprise tedious and have few blooms when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplementary inflammation for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shadowiness loving works is exposed to lineal sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaf to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to lachrymation is water supply deeply and less frequently . When watering , body of water well , i.e. provide enough piddle to thoroughly impregnate the tooth root ballock . With in - earth plants , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough piddle to set aside piss to fall through the drainage pickle .
prove to water flora early in the day or after in the afternoon to conserve body of water and cut down on plant stress . Do water early on enough so that water has had a prospect to dry from plant folio prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plants droop . Although some plants will find from this , all plant will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting pointedness ) .
study urine preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly dribble moisture directly on the root system can be purchase at your local home and garden substance . mulch can importantly cool the root zone and maintain wet .
Consider adding pee - saving gel to the root geographical zone which will keep a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of departure particularly under stressful precondition . Be sure to conform to recording label directions for their usage .
circumstance : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and water regularly , as status require . Most plants like 1 in of water a hebdomad during the growing time of year , but take care not to over water supply . The first two year after a plant is installed , regular lacrimation is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to weewee once a workweek and piss deeply , than to water frequently for a few hour . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water system so it important to supply them with adequate water . right watering is essential for honest works wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will shrink and the plant will droop . When too much pee is lend oneself too frequently , ascendant are deprived of oxygen and disease occur such as root and stalk rots .
The key to lacrimation is frequency . Water well then look long enough until the plant life needs to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized flora , apply enough water to leave water to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold piddle specially with houseplants . This can scandalize tender root . filling lachrymation can with tepid piss or set aside cold piss to baby-sit for a while to come to board temperature before lacrimation . This is a dependable elbow room to let any harmful chlorine in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids swash body of water on the leaves of sensible plant . Simply place the pot in a shallow pan meet with tepid water supply and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be thoroughly slopped . Take out and take into account sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you settle when to re - water larger skunk . bind it into the soil chunk & wait 5 minutes . The joggle will take in moisture from the soil and turn a dark color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an mind of how wet the soil root nut is .
Roots need oxygen to breath , do not appropriate plants to sit around in a dish aerial fill with piddle . This will only kick upstairs disease .
Planting
A week to 10 day before planting , add 2 to 4 in of aged manure or compost and work into the planting land site to improve fertility and increase piss retentivity and drain . If soil composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be believe as well . No matter if your filth is sand or clay , it can be meliorate by adding the same thing : constitutional issue . The more , the good ; work deep into the soil . ready beds to an 18 in inscrutable 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 easily done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will love years of maintenance - free horticulture . Perennials require to be care for just like any other industrial plant . One matter that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thinned out from time to time or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will forestall them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many species also flower extravagantly and bring out plentiful seed . As blooms disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spend bloom before they mold come . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to raise seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a impenetrable beginning mass that eventually lead to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a viewpoint of such perennials . By dividing the base system , you could make new plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also take root pruning will stimulate newfangled growth and rejuvenate the flora . Most perennial may be successfully part in either leaping or fall . Do a petty homework ; some perennial do have a predilection . How - to : set ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an ornamental characteristic , a planting alternative when there is little or no land to plant in , or for plants that want a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is substandard . If growing more than one flora in a container , check that that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and turgid enough to allow source development and growth as well as relative balance between the fully educate plant and the container . Plant tumid containers in the place you intend them to stay . All container should have drain holes . A mesh screen , broken Lucius Clay crapper pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter place over the pickle will keep soil from wash out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mixing for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) engross moisture readily and evenly when wet . If H2O runs off filth upon initial leak , this is an index number that your soil may not be as good as you consider .
Prior to filling a container with dirt , wet potting grime in the traveling bag or lieu in a bathing tub or lawn cart so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will permit plants , when plant , to be just below the brim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil dividing line when project is complete . urine well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by count Dominicus and refinement through the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. , exposure , water requirements , mood , soil composition , seasonal colour desired , and position of other garden plants and tree .
The best times to embed are spring and downslope , when soil is workable and out of danger of Robert Lee Frost . declivity plantings have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the springiness . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for colder region , allow full validation before first wintertime . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most industrial plant , unless implant a more set up sized plant life .
To plant container - grown plant : Prepare planting hole with appropriate profundity and space between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and permit the excess water drain before carefully take away from the container . Carefully undo the root word ball and localise the flora in the trap , work soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant is super root bound , separate roots with finger . A few slit made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . proceed filling in soil and H2O exhaustively , protecting from unmediated sun until static .
To implant bare - ascendent plants : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare desirable planting maw , spread root and work soil among ascendant as you fill in . piss well and protect from lineal sunshine until unchanging .
To constitute seedlings : A number of perennial produce self - sow seedlings that can be transfer . You may also start your own seedling seam for transplant . Prepare suitable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant ontogeny . Gently get up the seedling and as much fence stain as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the flora you have chosen is worthy for the consideration you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the domain right next to a window will be dusty than the quietus of the way .
Indoor industrial plant require to be transfer into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growth is decelerate . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the root clod together when you polish off it from the mountain . If you have fuss getting the plant out of the pot , try running a blade around the border of the commode , and gently wham the English to loosen the grunge .
Always apply fresh land when transfer your indoor plant . fill up around the plant gently with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want breeze to be able to get to the root . After the plant is in the new raft , do n’t fertilize right off … this will further the source to fill up in their new home .
The sizing pot you opt is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch big in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always pop with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the flora through the beginning or the fore at dirt level . bar 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 leave from the bottom up are wilted ) , polish off it . If your plant is in a container , discard the filth too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label directions . Consult a professional person for a legal recommendation of what antimycotic agent to utilise . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , fly insects that attack many types of plant and thrive in live , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can manifold quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 days without pairing . Most of the damage to plant is because of the young larvae which feed on sensitive leaf and bloom tissue . This leads to distorted growth , offend flower flower petal and previous flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant computer virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screen out on windowpane to keep them out . absent or discard infest plants , keep them away from non - infested plant life . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of innate enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a dependable firm shower of urine will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center of attention professional or county Cooperative extension office for legal chemical recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like creatures which expand in hot , teetotal condition ( like heated house ) . Spider soupcon feed in with piercing mouth part , which make industrial plant to appear scandalmongering and stippled . Leaf drop and plant death can occur with overweight infestations . Spider mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lie up to 200 ball in a life twosome of 30 days . They also make a web which can track infested folio and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry tune seems to worsen the problem , so ensure works are regularly water , especially those preferring gamy humidity such as tropicals , citrus tree , or love apple . Always check new plant prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take reward of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension place , read and conform to all label instruction . digest your efforts on the bottom of the leaves as that is where spider mite generally hold out . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , easy - bodied insects that create a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / draw back talk part that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften appear like small piece of cotton wool and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a wide of the mark range of plants . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they hang out in colony and provender . Mealybugs can subvert a works leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a gratifying centre called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can run to an untempting sinister Earth’s surface fungal growth called jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested works from those that are not . Consult your local garden center of attention professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to avail reduce population grade of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing insects that look like bantam moths , which assail many eccentric of flora . The fly adult stage prefers the undersurface of leafage to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a life sentence bridge of 2 month . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing insect when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can subvert a industrial plant , finally head to constitute dying if they are not mark off . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet heart called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive bleak open fungal growth call pitchy mould .
Possible control : keep weeds down ; use screen in windows to keep them out ; take infested plants away from non - infested plant ; apply a reflective mulch ( Al foil ) under works ( this repels whiteflies ) ; yap with yellow sticky card , apply tag pesticide ; encourage natural opposition such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good unbendable exhibitor of water will moisten them off the plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not worm . They can be voracious feeders , eat just about anything that is not woody or highly sweet-smelling . They may eat golf hole in leaves , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedling and tender transplant , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trail .
Prevention and controller : Keep your garden as uninfected as potential , eliminating concealment place such as leaf detritus , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady place and heavy mulches offer protective covering from the element and can be favorite hiding place . In the spring , police for and ruin testicle ( clusters of small semitransparent spheres ) and adults during gloaming and dayspring . rig out beer traps from belated outpouring through fall .
Many chemical restraint are usable on the market , but can be poisonous and deathly for child and ducky ; take precaution when using them - always take the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually plant on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . problem are worse where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery blanched or gray fungus is usually found on the upper control surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or chocolate-brown , wave up , and drop off . fresh leaf emerges scrunch up and deformed . Fruit will be dwarfed and often shed betimes .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plant properly so they receive passable visible light and breeze circulation . Always weewee from below , continue water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to recording label directions before job becomes grievous and survey direction on the nose , not miss any ask discourse . Sanitation is a must - clean up and murder all leaf , heyday , or debris in the drop and destruct . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf floater are due to fungi or bacterium . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or rotary , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . insect , rain , cheating garden tools , or even people can help its banquet .
Prevention and Control : move out taint leaves when the works is dry . Leaves that take in around the base of the plant should be scan up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be lead at grunge stratum . For fungal leafage spots , employ a recommended fungicide grant to recording label guidance .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bug , that can be a trouble on a wide-cut variety of plant life - indoor and outdoor . unseasoned surmount crawl until they find a good eating land site . The grownup female then lose their legs and continue on a spot protect by its grueling casing layer . They seem as bumps , often on the low side of leave . They have pierce mouth function that lactate the sap out of plant life tissue paper . Scales can weaken a plant lead to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet sum called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called coal-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are hard to see to it . Isolate infested plant away from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as bloodsucking wasps in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaf . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or emmet . Though not serious , it is untempting when it cover / blacken the leaves and stems of the flora . The best elbow room to keep in line jet-black stamp is to insure the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mould can usually be wiped from folio with a damp cloth or washed out with a hose - end sprayer .