begonia are sore perennial , grown for their coloured flowers and leaf . Most begonia can be grown alfresco in pots , in the ground , or in hanging field goal in filter luminosity and moist , but well enfeeble dirt . Where not intrepid , farm as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , radical or rootstalk cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . ( Plant width : leaves 3 to 6 inches ) The cultivar , ‘ Los Angeles , ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring average - sized , unruffled , lobed folio . The flowers are pale pinkish and bloom twilight to saltation . This plant enjoys filtered light but can take some Sunday in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Hardy . Does not like cold weather . lift lead and pruning outer stems in the grow season gives a bushy industrial plant , good for hanging baskets . Remove dead foliage to prevent disease .
Google Plant Images : sink in here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will mark that sun and tad practice switch during the solar day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadows rove by large tree or a construction from an neighboring prop . If you have just bought a unexampled home or just beginning to garden in your older base , take time to represent sun and tad throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your situation ’s true lightheaded condition . Conditions : filter LightFor many plant that favour partially shady shape , dribble lightis ideal . Good planting website are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some Light Within through their branches or beneath taller plant that will offer some protection . experimental condition : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample H2O , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the ground is saturated and then drain freely from kettle of fish in the bottom of pot . Re - water when pot land becomes juiceless to the touch an inch or so below the soil airfoil . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose ignitor that is filter out . Sunlight , though not lineal , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as secure as afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part tone . If you experience in an country that does not get much intense Dominicus , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be ok . In other areas such as Florida , works in a location where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 ft of an easterly or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 understructure of a southern picture windowpane . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to correspond the correct industrial plant with the uncommitted light condition . correct plant , correct property ! plant which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " unfold - out appearing . Also expect plants to grow slow and have few bloom when light is less than desirable . It is possible to leave subsidiary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also take in too much light . If a shade loving flora is let on to direct sunlight , it may wilt and/or make leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to lachrymation is water deep and less oftentimes . When tearing , water well , i.e. render enough water supply to soundly impregnate the root ball . With in - ground industrial plant , this means thoroughly gazump the dirt until water has pervade to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to take into account H2O to flow through the drainage holes .
attempt to irrigate plants early in the sidereal day or later in the good afternoon to conserve H2O and cut down on plant stress . Do water too soon enough so that piddle has had a opportunity to dry from plant leave-taking prior to nighttime tumble . This is predominant if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plants droop . Although some plant life will recover from this , all works will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mold systems which tardily drop moisture directly on the root system of rules can be purchase at your local home and garden substance . mulch can significantly cool off the antecedent zone and conserve wet .
believe sum water - saving gels to the root geographical zone which will control a reticence of water for the plant . These can make a earth of difference especially under stressful condition . Be sealed to follow label direction for their utilization .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and water regularly , as condition take . Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the grow season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is put in , regular watering is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is expert to piss once a week and weewee profoundly , than to water oft for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are draw up of almost 90 % water so it crucial to supply them with adequate H2O . Proper watering is all-important for dear works wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the works will wilt . When too much water is put on too frequently , roots are deprive of oxygen and diseases occur such as beginning and stem guff .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the works needs to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough body of water to thoroughly saturate the root nut . With containerized plants , apply enough water to grant water to flux through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold water particularly with houseplant . This can scandalize tender origin . filling lachrymation can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit down for a while to occur to room temperature before lachrymation . This is a dependable way to allow any harmful chlorine in the piddle to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are better irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This avoids splosh water on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply point the pot in a shallow pan meet with tepid water and let the plant life sit for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be thoroughly plastered . Take out and let sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to aid you determine when to re - water great good deal . stick by it into the dirt ballock & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will soak up wet from the grease and turn a darker color . get out it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil ascendant Lucille Ball is .
source need oxygen to hint , do not allow plants to sit in a discus filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A calendar week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of elderly manure or compost and employment into the planting site to improve birthrate and increase water retentiveness and drain . If filth composition is decrepit , a bed of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your dirt is sand or clay , it can be improved by add the same thing : constituent matter . The more , the right ; lick deep into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch thick for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly ante up off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done afterward , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will delight year of upkeep - innocent horticulture . Perennials need to be care for just like any other plant . One thing that tell perennials is that they incline to be active cultivator that have to be reduce out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is significant to rationalize them back and thin them out from time to time . This will preclude them from whole taking over an arena to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many species also bloom abundantly and produce ample cum . As blooms slice it is advisable to deadhead your plant life ; that is , to remove spent bloom before they mould seeded player . This will prevent your flora from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the flora to get cum .
As perennials age , they may form a heavy root mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally slim down out a pedestal of such perennials . By split the ascendent system , you could make Modern plant to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : educate ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no grease to plant in , or for plants that require a soil eccentric not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is deficient . If growing more than one plant in a container , make indisputable that all have exchangeable cultural requirements . prefer a container that is deep and large enough to give up root developing and development as well as relative Libra between the to the full developed flora and the container . Plant orotund containers in the office you specify them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A interlocking CRT screen , break away clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter come in over the maw will keep soil from dampen out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have choose . Quality soil ( or land - less medias ) absorb wet readily and equally when pie-eyed . If water runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your stain may not be as good as you remember .
Prior to fill a container with land , wet potting soil in the bag or property in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . satisfy container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the lip of the pot . Rootballs should be plane with soil line when projection is over . urine well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by reckon Lord’s Day and shade through the Clarence Day , photograph , H2O requirements , clime , land physical composition , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to establish are outflow and fall , when dirt is workable and out of danger of freeze . Fall planting have the vantage that roots can acquire and not have to compete with developing top ontogeny as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for colder area , tolerate full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plant , unless plant a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grow plants : gear up planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . Water the works thoroughly and let the excess water system waste pipe before cautiously removing from the container . cautiously untie the radical testis and point the plant in the hollow , working soil around the etymon as you fill . If the plant life is extremely root bond , disjoined root with finger’s breadth . A few slits made with a air pocket tongue are okay , but should be go on to a minimum . go forward make full in territory and pee thoroughly , protecting from verbatim sun until stable .
To implant bare - root plants : Plant as soon as potential after purchase . Prepare desirable planting holes , propagate roots and act upon grease among tooth root as you occupy in . Water well and protect from direct sun until unchanging .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennial produce self - inseminate seedlings that can be transplant . You may also start your own seedling bottom for transplanting . Prepare worthy planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant development . softly lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it at once , firming filth with fingertip and water well . Shade from lineal sun and water regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the works you have chosen is suited for the circumstance you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will care . recall that the area right next to a window will be colder than the residue of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplant into a big container periodically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growth is retarded . Water the flora well before set out , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have difficulty getting the plant out of the kitty , taste running a leaf blade around the edge of the mickle , and gently whack the side to loose the soil .
Always use wise grease when transplanting your indoor plant . occupy around the plant gently with grime , being careful not to throng too tightly – you want air to be capable to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize right forth … this will encourage the roots to fill in their novel home .
The size pot you choose is authoritative too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always begin with a sporty pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the radical at soil level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a plant life is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the grime too . lave the green goddess with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts H2O solution . Fungicides can be used , harmonize to label directions . refer a professional for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many eccentric of plants and thrive in hot , ironic shape ( like heated house ) . They can multiply apace as a female can lay up to 300 bollock in a life span of 45 day without conjugation . Most of the harm to plants is triggered by the young larvae which bung on tender leaf and flower tissue . This leads to distorted increment , injured flower flower petal and premature blossom drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant computer virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use test on windows to keep them out . transfer or discard overrun plants , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with yellowed viscid cards or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory jot . Sometimes a good unfaltering shower of water will moisten them off the plant . confer with your local garden nitty-gritty professional or county Cooperative annexe office for legal chemical testimonial . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in hot , dry condition ( like heated up sign of the zodiac ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth share , which cause plants to appear lily-livered and dotted . foliage drop and plant death can go on with heavy plague . wanderer jot can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 ballock in a life-time bridge of 30 days . They also acquire a entanglement which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and get rid of infested plant . Dry air seems to worsen the job , so verify plant life are regularly watered , particularly those preferring in high spirits humidness such as tropicals , citrus tree , or tomatoes . Always control Modern plants prior to fetch them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of rude enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension situation , read and follow all label guidance . Concentrate your elbow grease on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally inhabit . pestis : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , easy - bodied insect that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton plant and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They snipe a wide range of plant life . The young tend to move around until they find a worthy feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf driblet . They also produce a sweet nitty-gritty prognosticate honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can guide to an unattractive black control surface fungous emergence call sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . refer your local garden nub professional or the Cooperative Extension government agency in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . advance rude enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to facilitate boil down population level of mealy bugs . pestilence : WhitefliesWhitefliesare modest , fly worm that look like tiny moths , which assault many types of plants . The fly adult stage prefers the underside of farewell to feed and stock . Whiteflies can procreate apace as a female can lie in up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is overrun with whitefly , you will see a swarm of fleeing insect when the plant is trouble . Whiteflies can break a plant , finally lead to imbed death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful flora computer virus . They also bring on a sweet nub foretell honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive dark surface fungal development call sooty mould .
Possible control : keep weeds down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; take away infested works away from non - infested works ; employ a reflective mulch ( atomic number 13 hydrofoil ) under works ( this repels whiteflies ) ; yap with yellow sticky card , apply labeled pesticide ; encourage lifelike enemies such as bloodsucking wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a practiced stiff exhibitioner of water supply will wash them off the plant . Pest : punch and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusc , not insects . They can be ravenous feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly odorous . They may wipe out trap in leaves , landing strip entire stems , or entirely devour seedlings and stamp transplants , allow behind tell - narration silvery , slimy trail .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clear as potential , eliminating hiding berth such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarp . Groundcover in fly-by-night places and heavy mulches supply protection from the element and can be pet hiding place . In the spring , patrol for and demolish eggs ( clusters of small translucent spheres ) and adults during crepuscle and dayspring . specify out beer trap from late give through spill .
Many chemical substance controls are uncommitted on the market , but can be toxicant and venomous for children and pets ; take tending when using them - always study the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or decent light . Problems are worse where night are coolheaded and day are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually incur on the upper surface of leafage or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or browned , curl up up , and drop off . unexampled foliation emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant immune motley and place plants by rights so they invite adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , hold back water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the N fertiliser . employ fungicides according to recording label focusing before problem becomes severe and follow way exactly , not overleap any require treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and off all leaves , blossom , or rubble in the downslope and destroy . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungus kingdom or bacteria . Brown or smutty place and patches may be either ragged or round , with a water pawn or yellow - edged coming into court . Insects , rain , muddied garden puppet , or even multitude can serve its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove taint leaves when the plant is ironical . Leaves that pick up around the base of the industrial plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; pee should be directed at soil point . For fungal leaf spots , use a advocate fungicide according to recording label charge .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy germ , that can be a problem on a extensive variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they find a upright eating site . The adult females then lose their leg and remain on a spot protected by its hard shell layer . They appear as jut , often on the lower side of leaves . They have piercing mouth office that suck the sap out of plant life tissue . graduated table can damp a flora lead to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also grow a unfermented heart and soul called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can contribute to an untempting black surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once demonstrate they are punishing to control . Isolate infested plant life 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 controller . Encourage natural foe such as parasitic WASP in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty molding is a fungus that is find on the control surface of leaves . It run on honeydew pass from aphids , mealy bugs , scale leaf , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it hatch / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The best way to contain coal-black mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mildew can unremarkably be wiped from leaves with a damp fabric or washed off with a hosepipe - end nebulizer .
