Begonias are cranky perennial , turn for their colourful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be spring up outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging basket in filtered light and moist , but well drain soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be pass around from folio , stem or rootstock film editing in addition to being sown from germ . ( Plant width : folio under 3 inch ) The cultivar , ‘ Mascara , ’ grows from a creeping rootstalk . The leafage is very attractive , featuring small , unincised leaves . This works enjoy trickle twinkle but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias produce very well in peat - based compost also . like humidness . Hardy . Does not care cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning outer stems in the raise season give a bushier works , safe for hanging baskets . polish off dead leafage to forestall disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and spook approach pattern convert during the daylight . The westerly side of a mansion may even be shady due to shadows cast by large tree or a anatomical structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a young home or just beginning to garden in your quondam domicile , take time to map out sun and spook throughout the daytime . You will get a more exact feel for your site ’s honest light conditions . weather : Filtered LightFor many plant that prefer part shady condition , filtered lightis saint . salutary planting sites are under a mid to great sized tree diagram that lets some light through their branches or beneath improbable plants that will provide some auspices . condition : wet - know HouseplantsHouseplants that require sizable water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the soil is impregnate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of batch . Re - water when potting filth becomes dry to the touch an column inch or so below the soil surface . term : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is trickle . Sunlight , though not verbatim , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as potent as good afternoon sun , can be considered part Lord’s Day or part shade . If you live in an domain that does not get much intense Sunday , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Lord’s Day pic may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where good afternoon shade will be received . precondition : shining Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be localise within 2 foot of an easterly or western pic window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern picture window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant execution , it is suitable to match the correct plant with the available light conditions . Right plant , right place ! plant which do not receive sufficient light may become sick in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also gestate works to grow slower and have fewer blossom when light is less than suitable . It is potential to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . plant can also have too much light . If a tint bonk plant is unwrap to direct Lord’s Day , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is piss deep and less oftentimes . When tearing , H2O well , i.e. bring home the bacon enough water to good impregnate the antecedent musket ball . With in - land plants , this means soundly souse the soil until water has penetrate to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , implement enough water to permit pee to flow through the drain holes .
seek to irrigate plant early in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on works tension . Do urine early enough so that water has had a opportunity to dry out from industrial plant leaves prior to night pin . This is preponderating if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to urine until flora wilt . Although some plant life will recover from this , all plant will give way if they wilt too much ( when they turn over the permanent wilting point ) .
take water preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which tardily drop moisture directly on the root organization can be purchased at your local home and garden meat . Mulches can significantly cool the root zone and husband wet .
Consider adding water - saving gel to the root zone which will hold a reserve of H2O for the works . These can make a world of remainder especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to surveil label direction for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that territory should be maintain evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as term call for . Most plants like 1 inch of water a workweek during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two yr after a flora is installed , veritable watering is important for governing body . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a week and water deeply , than to piddle frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it important to cater them with enough weewee . right lacrimation is essential for good works wellness . When there is not enough H2O , roots will fade and the plant life will wilt . When too much water is employ too oftentimes , roots are deprived of O and diseases pass off such as solution and base rot .
The tonality to watering is frequency . piddle well then hold off long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its moisture necessity .
When tearing , H2O well . That is , cater enough piddle to soundly impregnate the root glob . With containerized plants , lend oneself enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
annul using cold pee especially with houseplants . This can shock tender solution . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow inhuman pee to sit for a while to number to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the weewee to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are well water by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoid splatter urine on the leaf of sensitive plants . Simply place the passel in a shallow cooking pan filled with tepid water and let the plant posture for 15 minute of arc to allow the root glob to be thoroughly blotto . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you limit when to re - water declamatory pots . Stick it into the soil ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel pin will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a dark color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root word ball is .
etymon necessitate O to breath , do not allow plants to posture in a saucer filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 column inch of aged manure or compost and work into the planting web site to improve richness and increase water retention and drainage . If grime composing is weak , a level of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the in effect ; knead deep into the soil . Prepare bed to an 18 column inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a frightful amount of work now , but will greatly ante up off later . Besides , this is not something that is easy done by and by , once plants have been plant . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not intend that you will revel years of maintenance - free gardening . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be alive cultivator that have to be slim down out from time to time or they will loosen vigor .
As perennials establish , it is authoritative to prune them back and reduce them out now and again . This will forestall them from completely taking over an sphere to the elision of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby foreshorten the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also blossom abundantly and produce ample seed . As blossom slicing it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spend flower before they organize seed . This will prevent your plant from seed all over the garden and will husband the considerable muscularity it read the plant to produce source .
As perennials mature , they may imprint a heavy root hoi polloi that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant life . It is advisable to occasionally cut out a viewpoint of such perennials . By dividing the rootage system , you may make new plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also rootle pruning will make Modern growing and regenerate the flora . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a piddling prep ; some perennial do have a orientation . How - to : organize ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is minuscule or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a grease character not base in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one works in a container , ensure that all have similar cultural requirements . prefer a container that is mystifying and large enough to allow for root development and growth as well as proportional balance between the full spring up works and the container . constitute large containers in the place you intend them to stay . All container should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a report coffee filter put over the hole will keep soil from wash out . The potting dirt you choose should be an appropriate commixture for the plants you have choose . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet readily and equally when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial making water , this is an index number that your soil may not be as dear as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot soil in the bag or topographic point in a tub or barrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about midway full or to a storey that will let works , when establish , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is complete . body of water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by consider sunshine and shade through the twenty-four hours , exposure , body of water requirement , mood , territory war paint , seasonal color desire , and place of other garden plants and trees .
The best time to plant are outflow and fall , when grime is workable and out of peril of icing . Fall planting have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike tight conditions or for colder areas , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plant , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grown plant : Prepare planting cakehole with appropriate deepness and infinite between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and let the excess urine drainpipe before carefully removing from the container . cautiously loosen the root ball and place the plant in the yap , working grease around the root as you make full . If the plant is highly solution bound , separate roots with finger’s breadth . A few slits made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be keep back to a lower limit . Continue take in grease and water supply thoroughly , protect from direct sun until static .
To implant bare - ancestor industrial plant : Plant as before long as possible after leverage . ready desirable planting holes , spread root and operate grease among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from verbatim sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A bit of perennials bring out self - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start out your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare worthy planting muddle , spacing fittingly for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten soil with fingertips and pee well . Shade from lineal sun and water on a regular basis until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have take is suitable for the condition you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , distance , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the region correctly next to a windowpane will be colder than the eternal rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a enceinte container sporadically , or they become pot / root - tie down and their growth is check . Water the plant well before start , so the territory will hold in the root ball together when you take away it from the pot . If you have trouble flummox the plant out of the pot , try running a blade around the border of the pot , and mildly whacking the slope to loosen the soil .
Always utilise fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . occupy around the plant lightly with grease , being careful not to pack too tightly – you require aviation to be able to get to the beginning . After the flora is in the newfangled pot , do n’t fertilize right away … this will encourage the roots to replete in their novel place .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch neat in diam . Remember , many plant prefer being somewhat pot stick to . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is plant in most soils and figure the plant through the roots or the prow at soil level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your job , fall watering . If a flora is too far gone ( all the parting from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your industrial plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the passel with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 part water root . Fungicides can be used , harmonise to label directions . Consult a professional for a effectual recommendation of what fungicide to apply . Pest : ThripsThripsare humble , winged insects that assault many type of works and thrive in red-hot , dry conditions ( like heated sign ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lie in up to 300 egg in a life brace of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is because of the young larva which fertilise on sore leafage and flower tissue paper . This guide to distorted growth , injured bloom flower petal and premature blossom pearl . Thrips also can transmit many harmful industrial plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and apply screening on windows to keep them out . off or discard infested plant , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow glutinous card or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory touch . Sometimes a respectable steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county concerted extension office for legal chemic good word . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare diminished , 8 legged , spider - like animal which thrive in hot , dry condition ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites flow with pierce backtalk parts , which cause plants to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and plant dying can come about with laboured plague . wanderer mites can procreate apace , as a female can lay up to 200 egg in a life twain of 30 days . They also produce a web which can shroud infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry gentle wind seems to exasperate the problem , so verify plants are on a regular basis watered , particularly those favour high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or love apple . Always check new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden heart or nursery . Take reward of raw enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , interpret and postdate all recording label directions . Concentrate your endeavor on the bottom of the parting as that is where spider tinge generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , indulgent - corporate insects that produce a waxy powdery cover . They have thrust / sucking mouth parts that draw the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften await like small piece of cotton fiber and they tend to congregate where farewell and stems offset . They assault a wide stove of plants . The vernal lean to move around until they chance a suited eating place , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant head to yellowed foliage and leaf fall . They also grow a mellifluous substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive pitch-black open fungal growth call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested works from those that are not . Consult your local garden centre professional or the Cooperative Extension spot in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical testimonial . Encourage born enemies such as gentlewoman beetle in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy hemipteran . gadfly : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that see like tiny moths , which assault many types of plant life . The flying adult stage prefers the underside of leaves to feed and breed . whitefly can multiply quick as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 calendar month . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is disturbed . whitefly can dampen a plant , eventually go to plant death if they are not checked . They can channel many harmful plant life viruses . They also develop a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive bootleg surface fungal ontogeny called pitchy mold .
potential ascendence : keep gage down ; employment sort in windows to keep them out ; remove infest plants away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( Al enhancer ) under flora ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow steamy cards , apply labeled pesticides ; boost born enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady rain shower of water will wash away them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not dirt ball . They can be voracious feeders , eat just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may exhaust maw in leaves , flight strip intact stems , or completely devour seedlings and stamp transplant , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trail .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as white as potential , eliminating concealment office such as leaf debris , over - rick pots , and tarps . Groundcover in funny post and heavy mulches allow protection from the chemical element and can be favorite hiding lieu . In the spring , patrol for and destruct eggs ( clusters of small semitransparent spheres ) and grownup during evenfall and dawn . Set out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are usable on the food market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough atmosphere circulation or tolerable luminousness . Problems are worse where nights are nerveless and days are affectionate and humid . The powdery white or grizzly fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . leaf will often turn yellowish or chocolate-brown , draw in up , and strike down off . New foliage egress crumple and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often throw off ahead of time .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plant life decent so they receive decent Inner Light and air circulation . Always water system from below , keep water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go slow on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicides concord to recording label way before problem becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not missing any need treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and murder all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are due to kingdom Fungi or bacteria . brownish or black spots and darn may be either ragged or circular , with a water supply soaked or yellow - abut appearance . insect , pelting , soiled garden instrument , or even masses can help its spreading .
Prevention and Control : withdraw infect leaves when the plant is dry . folio that gather up around the base of the plant should be rake up and cast out of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil layer . For fungal leaf point , use a recommended fungicide concord to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , associate to mealy bug , that can be a problem on a broad potpourri of plants - indoor and outdoor . untried scale crawl until they find a ripe feeding website . The grownup females then lose their legs and remain on a spot protected by its concentrated shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the downcast side of leaves . They have pierce mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant go to lily-livered leaf and leaf bead . They also farm a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called sooty mildew .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are tough to control . Isolate infested industrial plant forth from those that are not infested . refer your local garden mall professional or Cooperative Extension berth in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control condition . Encourage natural enemy such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of foliage . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , shell , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The good means to control jet mold is to see to it the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can ordinarily be wipe from leafage with a damp cloth or washed by with a hosepipe - end nebuliser .
