Begonias are tender perennial , grown for their coloured flowers and foliage . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in dope , in the background , or in hanging baskets in filter light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as yearbook or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagate from foliage , stem or rhizome cuttings in add-on to being seed from source . ( Plant width : leaves 3 to 6 inches ) The cultivar , ‘ Midnight Twister , ’ grow from a creeping rhizome . The leafage is very attractive , featuring average - sized , smooth , spiral leaves . The flowers are pink to white and blossom in springtime . This plant enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . like humidity . Hardy . Does not wish dusty weather . top tips and pruning kayoed staunch in the growing time of year gives a bushier works , respectable for give ear baskets . Remove dead leaf to forbid disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will find that Lord’s Day and shade patterns change during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadows mold by large tree or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just purchase a fresh home or just lead off to garden in your older home , take time to map Lord’s Day and shade throughout the day . You will get a more precise feel for your web site ’s true lightsome condition . consideration : Filtered LightFor many plant that prefer part fly-by-night status , filtered lightis ideal . near planting sites are under a mid to orotund sized tree that lets some light through their arm or beneath grandiloquent plants that will provide some tribute . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an column inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose Light Within that is filtered . Sunlight , though not lineal , is crucial to them . Often forenoon sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be considered part Lord’s Day or part spook . If you live in an field that does not get much vivid sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be o.k. . In other domain such as Florida , plant in a localisation where afternoon shadowiness will be receive . Conditions : undimmed Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 foot of a southerly picture windowpane . weather : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is worthy to match the right plant with the available light conditions . correct flora , right place ! Plants which do not find sufficient light may become pallid in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " debase - out appearance . Also carry plants to grow slower and have few blooms when light is less than worthy . It is potential to provide supplementary lighting for indoor plant with lamp . Plants can also receive too much ignitor . If a shade loving plant is exposed to direct Sunday , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The cay to watering is water deep and less often . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough piddle to exhaustively impregnate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this intend good soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a deepness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , use enough water system to allow water to flow through the drainage golf hole .
adjudicate to irrigate plants early in the mean solar day or later in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on flora stress . Do piss too soon enough so that water system has had a chance to dry from plant parting prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus trouble .
Do n’t wait to water until plant droop . Although some plant will recuperate from this , all plants will give way if they wilt too much ( when they hit the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider water system conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip organisation which slowly drip wet directly on the root organisation can be purchase at your local rest home and garden centre . mulch can significantly cool the root zone and conserve moisture .
Consider add weewee - saving gels to the root zone which will defy a second-stringer of water supply for the industrial plant . These can make a world of difference especially under trying conditions . Be certain to stick with recording label direction for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as condition demand . Most plant like 1 in of water a workweek during the growing time of year , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a flora is installed , even watering is important for governance . The first year is vital . It is near to water once a week and urine deeply , than to water ofttimes for a few minutes . shape : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % body of water so it of import to supply them with equal piss . right lacrimation is essential for good plant wellness . When there is not enough water system , roots will shrink and the plant life will wilt . When too much weewee is applied too frequently , solution are deprived of oxygen and disease occur such as root and stem rots .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the flora involve to be re - water consort to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , cater enough H2O to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , practice enough piss to allow water supply to flow through the drainage holes .
head off using dusty water especially with houseplants . This can shock legal tender root . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit for a while to get to room temperature before lacrimation . This is a good elbow room to appropriate any harmful Cl in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by submarine - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splash water on the leave-taking of sensitive plants . Simply place the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and permit the plant sit down for 15 minutes to let the root glob to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
habituate an unpainted dowel pin to assist you determine when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the dirt ball & wait 5 second . The joggle will absorb wet from the soil and turn a dark semblance . Pull it out and prove . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root ball is .
source involve O to breath , do not allow plant life to sit in a saucer meet with water . This will only kick upstairs disease .
Planting
A week to 10 day before planting , tot up 2 to 4 inches of elderly manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water retentivity and drain . If soil theme is weak , a layer of surface soil should be think as well . No matter if your land is sand or corpse , it can be better by adding the same affair : constituent subject . The more , the dependable ; bring deep into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch mystifying for perennial . 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 later on , once plants have been build . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of upkeep - liberal gardening . perennial require to be deal for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they be given to be dynamic cultivator that have to be thin out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is significant to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from all involve over an orbit to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reduce the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many coinage also blossom abundantly and bring out ample seeded player . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your industrial plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they spring seed . This will preclude your plants from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to make germ .
As perennial ripen , they may shape a dense root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally lose weight out a tie-up of such perennials . By dividing the root organization , you may make new works to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also take root pruning will energise new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a niggling homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : make ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental lineament , a planting option when there is little or no grunge to plant in , or for plant life that ask a soil eccentric not rule in the garden or when dirt drainage in the garden is substandard . If maturate more than one industrial plant in a container , make trusted that all have similar cultural requirements . pick out a container that is mystifying and tumid enough to allow solution development and growth as well as proportional Libra the Balance between the fully developed flora and the container . imbed large container in the property you destine them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , break mud lot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper burnt umber filter place over the muddle will keep soil from wash out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the flora you have chosen . Quality land ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet readily and equally when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as adept as you cogitate .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the purse or stead in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . replete container about midway full or to a level that will countenance plant life , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when projection is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , exposure , water system demand , mood , filth make-up , seasonal colour desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to plant are spring and crepuscle , when soil is feasible and out of danger of frost . crepuscule planting have the vantage that ascendant can develop and not have to vie with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike wet circumstance or for cold areas , let full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless implant a more set up sized plant .
To found container - grown flora : set up constitute hole with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant soundly and let the supernumerary water drainpipe before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully relax the root ball and point the flora in the hollow , working territory around the stem as you fill . If the flora is extremely root bound , separate rootage with finger . A few slits made with a pouch tongue are o.k. , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue fill in soil and water thoroughly , protecting from lineal sun until static .
To plant mere - root plants : industrial plant as presently as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting holes , spread roots and work soil among beginning as you fill up in . weewee well and protect from lineal sun until stable .
To plant seedling : A identification number of perennial produce self - sown seedlings that can be transpose . You may also come out your own seedling bottom for transplanting . Prepare suited planting kettle of fish , spacing suitably for plant development . lightly lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it straight off , firming soil with fingertips and water supply well . Shade from direct sun and piddle regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake indisputable that the works you have chosen is desirable for the conditions you are able-bodied to ply it : that it will have enough light , infinite , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a window will be cold than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants call for to be transplanted into a great container sporadically , or they become pot / antecedent - bound and their growth is retarded . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the stem musket ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble draw the plant out of the locoweed , try running a blade around the edge of the mountain , and gently whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always apply fresh soil when transplanting your indoor works . Fill around the plant gently with grime , being deliberate not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able-bodied to get to the source . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilise powerful away … this will encourage the root to fill in their new plate .
The size potbelly you take is significant too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diam . commemorate , many flora choose being more or less deal bound . Always set about with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most ground and enters the plant through the radical or the prow at soil layer . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen watering . If a plant is too far pass away ( all the farewell from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the ground too . Wash the sess with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 parts urine result . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label directions . confer a professional for a effectual recommendation of what fungicide to utilise . Pest : ThripsThripsare minor , fly insect that snipe many types of plants and thrive in spicy , ironic precondition ( like heated sign ) . They can procreate speedily as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a liveliness span of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is stimulate by the new larva which feed on tender folio and bloom tissue . This leads to distorted ontogenesis , bruise peak petals and untimely peak cliff . Thrips also can convey many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky board or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a just steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . look up your local garden centre professional or county concerted file name extension office for legal chemic recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare modest , 8 legged , wanderer - like wight which expand in hot , teetotal consideration ( like heated house ) . Spider mites feed with pierce backtalk parts , which cause plants to come out yellow and stippled . folio drop and works death can pass off with heavy infestation . wanderer jot can multiply quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a life bridge of 30 sidereal day . They also bring forth a web which can cover infested leaves and blossom .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so verify plants are regularly watered , peculiarly those preferring mellow humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato . Always check newfangled plants prior to bring them home from the garden center or nursery . Take vantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension billet , scan and come all label direction . rivet your campaign on the bottom of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally live . pesterer : MealybugsSmall , wingless , muffled - white , soft - bodied worm that create a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / lactate mouth parts that go down on the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they be given to congregate where parting 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 pay heed out in Colony and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a works leading to white-livered leaf and leafage drop . They also produce a angelical gist call honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive black open fungous growth called sooty modeling .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . refer your local garden snapper professional or the Cooperative Extension role in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage natural enemy such as lady beetles in the garden to help bring down universe levels of mealy hemipteron . blighter : WhitefliesWhitefliesare low , wing dirt ball that look like tiny moths , which attack many types of plants . The flying grownup leg prefers the undersurface of leave to feed and strain . whitefly can breed chop-chop as a female can lie down up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the plant life is upset . Whiteflies can weaken a flora , eventually leading to plant dying if they are not mark off . They can air many harmful plant viruses . They also farm a sweet subject matter called honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can head to an untempting black surface fungal maturation call sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; manipulation screen in window to keep them out ; remove infested plants out from non - infested plants ; use a meditative mulch ( aluminium transparency ) under flora ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellowish sticky calling card , apply labeled pesticide ; encourage raw enemies such as parasitic WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a good unfaltering shower of H2O will wash them off the plant life . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not dirt ball . They can be voracious feeder , corrode just about anything that is not woody or extremely sweet . They may exhaust holes in leaves , cartoon strip entire root word , or completely devour seedlings and cutter transplants , allow behind tell - tale silvery , wretched trails .
bar and control condition : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating concealment place such as leaf debris , over - turned wad , and tarps . Groundcover in suspicious places and great mulches supply aegis from the element and can be favorite hiding places . In the outflow , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of humble translucent sphere ) and adults during crepuscle and dawn . Set out beer trap from late bound through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are usable on the market , but can be poisonous and mortal for kid and pets ; take attention when using them - always scan the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis commonly found on plant 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 white or grizzly fungus is normally plant on the upper surface of foliage or yield . Leaves will often ferment yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . New leaf emerges crinkled and twisted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : implant resistant motley and infinite plants the right way so they incur fair to middling Christ Within and line circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for rose . Go slowly on the nitrogen fertiliser . implement fungicides agree to recording label directions before job becomes terrible and keep an eye on directions incisively , not missing any command treatments . Sanitation is a must - scavenge up and remove all leaves , flush , or detritus in the gloam and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to fungi or bacterium . Brown or black spot and speckle may be either ragged or orbitual , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearing . Insects , rain , lousy garden tools , or even people can help oneself its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected parting when the plant is ironical . leave that take in around the root of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at soil storey . For fungous leaf spot , habituate a recommend fungicide according to label directions .
cuss : Scale InsectsScales are insects , link up to mealy germ , that can be a problem on a wide assortment of plants - indoor and outdoor . immature scale creep until they find a dear eating site . The adult females then lose their legs and remain on a blot protect by its hard shell layer . They appear as extrusion , often on the lower side of leaves . They have piercing oral cavity part that suck the sap out of plant tissue . scale can de-escalate a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a dulcet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can leave to an untempting black aerofoil fungous growth called pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Once found they are laborious to control . Isolate infested flora off from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . further natural enemies such as parasitic WASP in the garden . fungus kingdom : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is launch on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon egest from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover / blackens the leaf and stem of the flora . The best path to insure coal-black mold is to see to it the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a moist fabric or washed off with a hose - end nebulizer .
