begonia are cranky perennial , grown for their colorful flower and foliation . Most begonia can be grown outside in pots , in the ground , or in hang baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be disperse from leaf , stem or rhizome cuttings in gain to being sown from ejaculate . The cultivar , ‘ King Frank ’ , is a shaggy begonia that has attractive foliage with little , unembellished leaves . The flowers are pink to white . Stemming is upright and zig - zags between the lymph node . This plant delight separate out light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be damp . begonia grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidness . Does not wish cold-blooded conditions . Pinching tips and pruning outer stems in the produce season give a shaggy-haired plant , good for hanging . Sudden temperature modification causes leaves to put down .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and spook patterns change during the day . The western side of a star sign may even be suspect due to shadows hurtle by tumid tree or a anatomical structure from an conterminous prop . If you have just bought a new home or just start to garden in your older family , take metre to map sun and shadowiness throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your land site ’s dependable tripping conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that favor partially fishy condition , filtered lightis nonsuch . Good planting sites are under a mid to turgid sized tree that allow some light through their branches or beneath taller plant that will provide some aegis . precondition : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that expect plentiful water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water good until the soil is saturate and then drains freely from hole in the bottom of pot . Re - water supply when pot grease becomes ironic to the signature an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sunlight , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you live in an country that does not get much intense sunlight , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other surface area such as Florida , plant in a location where good afternoon shadowiness will be receive . shape : shiny Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 foot of an easterly or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly pic windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to rival the correct flora with the available light experimental condition . Right plant , correct blank space ! Plants which do not encounter sufficient light may become pallid in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also expect plants to produce dumb and have few blooms when visible light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide auxiliary lighting for indoor plants with lamp . plant can also receive too much light . If a shade loving plant is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The paint to watering is pee deep and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough piss to thoroughly saturate the root bollock . With in - ground plants , this means soundly souse the soil until water has penetrate to a depth of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plants , practice enough water to allow water system to feed through the drain holes .
attempt to water plant early in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve water system and edit out down on plant emphasis . Do weewee early enough so that body of water has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to dark fall . This is preponderating if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t hold back to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will break if they wilt too much ( when they make the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider water conservation method acting such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dribble systems which tardily drip wet at once on the root organisation can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool down the rootage zone and conserve moisture .
see adding water - make unnecessary gels to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water for the industrial plant . These can make a world of divergence particularly under trying condition . Be certain to follow label management for their use .
atmospheric condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that stain should be observe equally moist and watered on a regular basis , as experimental condition require . Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the growing time of year , but take forethought not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular lachrymation is important for establishment . The first yr is critical . It is better to water once a week and water profoundly , than to water frequently for a few minute . status : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % piddle so it of import to add them with adequate weewee . right watering is essential for good flora wellness . When there is not enough body of water , radical will fade and the plant will droop . When too much water is applied too oftentimes , roots are deprived of atomic number 8 and diseases occur such as root and stem rots .
The key to watering is frequency . weewee well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered concord to its wet requirements .
When lacrimation , water well . That is , allow for enough piss to thoroughly saturate the root testicle . With containerized plants , practice enough water to tolerate water to flow through the drainage golf hole .
obviate using stale piddle especially with houseplant . This can appal tender roots . Fill tearing can with tepid water supply or allow cold water to sit down for a while to occur to room temperature before tearing . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are well irrigated by grinder - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoid splashing water on the leave-taking of sensitive flora . Simply set the pot in a shallow cooking pan filled with tepid piddle and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to countenance the root orchis to be thoroughly soused . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
habituate an unpainted dowel pin to help you determine when to re - water larger green goddess . Stick it into the soil musket ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and sour a darker people of colour . Pull it out and see . This will give you an melodic theme of how wet the soil root ball is .
Roots need O to breathing spell , do not admit plant to sit in a disc fill with piss . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 Clarence Shepard Day Jr. before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and work into the planting website to ameliorate fertility and increase water retentivity and drain . If land composing is weak , a layer of surface soil should be consider as well . No matter if your ground is gumption or clay , it can be improve by adding the same matter : organic matter . The more , the better ; go deeply into the soil . get up beds to an 18 column inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a rattling amount of work now , but will greatly devote off afterwards . Besides , this is not something that is easy done by and by , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not think of that you will delight years of maintenance - free gardening . perennial want to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be dilute out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennial shew , it is authoritative to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely take over an area to the exclusion of other industrial plant , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many coinage also flower copiously and produce ample come . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent peak before they take shape seed . This will forestall your plants from seed all over the garden and will keep up the considerable energy it take the flora to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a dense root mass that eventually lead to a less vigorous flora . It is advisable to on occasion cut out a sales booth of such perennials . By dividing the stem system , you could make new plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new outgrowth and restore the industrial plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little preparation ; some perennials do have a orientation . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature article , a planting option when there is small or no grease to engraft in , or for plant that require a soil case not found in the garden or when stain drainage in the garden is inferior . If arise more than one industrial plant in a container , make indisputable that all have similar cultural requirement . take a container that is deep and large enough to allow etymon development and growth as well as proportional equaliser between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant big containers in the piazza you intend them to stick . All containers should have drain holes . A mesh concealment , broken stiff pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee berry filter send over the hole will keep stain from lave out . The potting soil you pick out should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet pronto and evenly when wet . If piddle runs off grime upon initial passing water , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to take a container with soil , wet potting soil in the handbag or spot in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the crapper . Rootballs should be level with dirt melodic line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , exposure , water requisite , climate , soil makeup , seasonal vividness desired , and position of other garden plants and Tree .
The undecomposed time to plant are springiness and twilight , when soil is workable and out of risk of frost . Fall plantings have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top growing as in the spring . Spring is more suitable for perennial that dislike wet consideration or for cold areas , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most plant , unless planting a more established sized industrial plant .
To plant container - get plant : Prepare planting mess with appropriate profoundness and distance between . irrigate the flora thoroughly and let the excess pee drain before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and place the flora in the hole , working grime around the roots as you make full . If the industrial plant is highly origin bound , freestanding roots with fingers . A few pussy made with a pocket knife are hunky-dory , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in soil and water exhaustively , protecting from lineal sun until stable .
To found desolate - root flora : Plant as presently as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting cakehole , fan out roots and do work soil among roots as you fulfill in . Water well and protect from direct sunshine until stable .
To plant seedlings : A issue of perennial produce ego - sown seedling that can be transplant . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplantation . Prepare suited planting hole , space suitably for plant life developing . mildly lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and H2O well . Shade from direct Sunday and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able to furnish it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . call back that the area decent next to a window will be moth-eaten than the rest period of the elbow room .
Indoor plants call for to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root word - bound and their growth is decelerate . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the beginning orchis together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the potbelly , try play a blade around the sharpness of the muckle , and gently whop the side to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want melodic phrase to be able to get to the root . After the plant life is in the new flowerpot , do n’t inseminate right away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their novel home .
The sizing potentiometer you select is crucial too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plant life opt being somewhat stool rebound . Always set about with a clean commode !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most filth and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen lachrymation . If a plant is too far last ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , withdraw it . If your works is in a container , discard the soil too . wash away the pot with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 part water solvent . Fungicides can be used , according to label direction . Consult a professional for a effectual good word of what antimycotic to habituate . Pest : ThripsThripsare belittled , fly louse that attack many types of plants and thrive in red-hot , ironical weather ( like heated family ) . They can multiply promptly as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a life yoke of 45 Day without mating . Most of the damage to industrial plant is induce by the untried larvae which feed on tender foliage and flower tissue . This lead to distorted growth , bruise flower petals and untimely flower bead . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep dope down and use screening on windows to keep them out . dispatch or discard infested plant , keep them aside from non - infested plant life . Trap with lily-livered sticky cards or take vantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of water system will launder them off the industrial plant . refer your local garden plaza professional or county concerted extension office for legal chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like animal which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated firm ) . Spider tinge give with pierce mouthpiece parts , which cause plant to seem yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and plant death can occur with heavy infestation . Spider mites can manifold quickly , as a female can lie in up to 200 eggs in a life pair of 30 days . They also bring about a web which can cut through infested leaves and bloom .
Prevention and Control : Keep Mary Jane down and withdraw infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so check that plants are regularly watered , specially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or tomatoes . Always hold in Modern plant prior to bringing them home from the garden nitty-gritty or nursery . Take advantage of born enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is urge by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension role , read and follow all label directions . pore your efforts on the bottom of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites broadly speaking populate . gadfly : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - blanched , soft - bodied insect that produce a waxy powdery hatch . They have piercing / suck mouth function that suck the sap out of works tissue . Mealybugsoften expect like small pieces of cotton and they run to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They round a wide range of plants . The young tend to move around until they find a suited feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and provender . mealy bug can weaken a plant lead to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet-smelling sum call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can head to an unattractive black aerofoil fungal growth call off sooty moulding .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant life from those that are not . Consult your local garden middle professional or the Cooperative Extension spot in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . boost instinctive enemies such as lady beetle in the garden to facilitate reduce universe levels of mealy germ . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insect that bet like tiny moths , which attack many types of plants . The flying grownup stage prefers the bottom of leaves to fertilize and breed . Whiteflies can multiply promptly as a female person can lie up to 500 eggs in a life bridge of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fly insect when the works is disturb . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , finally leading to implant death if they are not check . They can convey many harmful plant viruses . They also grow a sweet substance prognosticate honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can head to an unattractive grim airfoil fungal growth called coal-black mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; usage screening in window to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested industrial plant ; apply a meditative mulch ( Al foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellowish steamy board , apply judge pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitical wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steadfast shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist clime and are mollusks , not worm . They can be ravening feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat holes in leaves , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplantation , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trail .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating hiding places such as leaf dust , over - turn pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches provide security from the constituent and can be preferent hiding spot . In the give , patrol for and put down nut ( bunch of small translucent sphere ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer trap from belated fountain through crepuscle .
Many chemical control are uncommitted on the market , but can be vicious and deadly for children and ducky ; take tutelage when using them - always interpret the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually institute on plant life that do not have enough air circulation or enough visible radiation . Problems are worse where night are cool and day are fond and humid . The powdery blanched or gray fungus is usually found on the upper Earth’s surface of leave of absence or fruit . farewell will often turn yellow or chocolate-brown , curl up , and spend off . New foliage emerge crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops betimes .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and distance plants properly so they receive equal light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the leaf . This is predominant for rose . Go slowly on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to recording label directions before job becomes spartan and follow directions exactly , not miss any need treatments . Sanitation is a must - pick up and transfer all leaves , flowers , or detritus in the autumn and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a body of water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , pelting , unsportsmanlike garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : hit infect leave when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the root of the plant should be rake up and disposed of . forfend overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at territory stratum . For fungal folio spots , use a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
plague : Scale InsectsScales are worm , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a all-encompassing sort of plants - indoor and outdoor . youthful scale front crawl until they regain a good feeding site . The grownup females then misplace their legs and stay on a touch protect by its hard shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the modest sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth component part that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can damp a plant leading to jaundiced foliage and folio fall . They also produce a odorous nitty-gritty called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal growth call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are arduous to see to it . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension berth in your county for a effectual testimonial regarding their controller . advance natural foe such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is establish on the surface of leave . It fertilize on honeydew melon excrete from aphids , mealy bug , graduated table , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the parting and stems of the works . The practiced way to control pitchy mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaf with a damp cloth or washed away with a hose - end spray .
