Begonias are tender perennial , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in sink in light and moist , but well drain soil . Where not hardy , grow as yearly or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be spread from leaf , stem or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . The bushy ‘ pinkish Ruffles ’ begonia is erect with succulent stems . The many double flowers are everblooming and pink in gloss . The green leaves are shiny , still and ovate . This plant enjoys filtered Light Within but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be damp . begonia develop very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidness . Does not care cold conditions . Pinching tips and pruning out stems in the growing time of year give a bushier plant .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns change during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by large tree or a structure from an adjacent attribute . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your older domicile , take time to map sun and shade throughout the mean solar day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many works that prefer partially shady conditions , filtered lightis apotheosis . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that allow some light through their branch or beneath taller works that will provide some security . condition : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that want copious water , or those label asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be irrigate thoroughly until the soil is saturate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of sess . Re - water when potting soil becomes ironic to the touch an inch or so below the soil airfoil . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favor lightness that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be considered part Dominicus or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other area such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shade will be receive . condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or western exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor salutary plant performance , it is desirable to match the correct plant with the available light conditions . Right plant , right place ! plant which do not have sufficient lighting may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow slow and have few salad days when light is less than desirable . It is potential to provide supplementary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also get too much light . If a tone loving plant is expose to lineal sunlight , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to lacrimation is water deep and less oftentimes . When tearing , water well , i.e. provide enough water to soundly impregnate the root ball . With in - priming coat plants , this means soundly sop the dirt until water has penetrated to a profundity of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being honorable ) . With container grown plant life , employ enough water to allow urine to flux through the drain holes .
adjudicate to water industrial plant early in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that water supply has had a opportunity to dry from works leafage prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to water system until plant life wilt . Although some plant will recover from this , all plants will choke if they droop too much ( when they attain the lasting wilting dot ) .
weigh water conservation method such as drip mold irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dribble system of rules which lento dribble moisture directly on the root arrangement can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the root zone and conserve wet .
see adding water - saving gels to the root geographical zone which will hold a stockpile of water for the plant life . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to postdate label directions for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grunge should be keep equally moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most flora like 1 in of water a workweek during the develop season , but take forethought not to over water system . The first two years after a plant is put in , regular watering is important for organization . The first class is vital . It is better to pee once a week and urine deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % H2O so it authoritative to ply them with adequate water . right watering is essential for salutary industrial plant wellness . When there is not enough pee , roots will wither and the plant will droop . When too much piddle is applied too often , rootage are impoverish of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and stem turn rots .
The tonality to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , piss well . That is , provide enough water system to exhaustively saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough piss to allow water to flow through the drainage kettle of fish .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplant . This can shock legal tender root . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit for a while to get to board temperature before lacrimation . This is a good way to permit any harmful chlorine in the piddle to vaporise before being used .
Some plant are best water by U-boat - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splosh water on the leave of sensitive flora . Simply place the heap in a shallow cooking pan fill with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to give up the root bollock to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water larger flock . Stick it into the soil ball & look 5 minutes . The joggle will absorb moisture from the ground and turn a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breath , do not appropriate plants to sit down in a dish aerial satiate with piss . This will only push disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting land site to meliorate fertility and increase water retentiveness and drainage . If soil penning is rickety , a bed of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your grime is sand or clay , it can be better by adding the same affair : constitutive matter . The more , the good ; mould deep into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a terrific amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done subsequently , once industrial plant have been base . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you implant a perennial , it does not mean that you will savor year of maintenance - free horticulture . perennial postulate to be cared for just like any other flora . One thing that tell apart perennial is that they tend to be dynamic growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the riddance of other plants , and also will increase gentle wind circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and grow ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your works ; that is , to remove spent prime before they form semen . This will prevent your works from seeding all over the garden and will economise the considerable energy it takes the plant to make seed .
As perennials mature , they may mould a dense root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally slim down out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root organization , you’re able to make newfangled plants to plant in another field of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will brace new growth and regenerate the works . Most perennials may be successfully divide in either spring or declination . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is small or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a dirt type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant life in a container , ensure that all have like ethnic requirement . Choose a container that is mystifying and with child enough to allow root development and growth as well as relative balance between the fully developed plant life and the container . Plant prominent container in the place you mean them to stay . All container should have drainage hole . A mesh screen , offend clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep dirt from wash out . The potting soil you pick out should be an appropriate mix for the works you have chosen . Quality soil ( or soil - less medias ) suck up moisture readily and evenly when crocked . If water run off soil upon initial making water , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to occupy a container with soil , wet pot dirt in the bag or place in a tub or barrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a story that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the flange of the pot . Rootballs should be level with grease line when project is staring . pee well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by turn over sun and specter through the day , exposure , water requirements , mood , soil physical composition , seasonal color desired , and billet of other garden plant and trees .
The ripe times to imbed are leap and fall , when ground is workable and out of danger of icing . declination plantings have the advantage that root can arise and not have to vie with developing top growth as in the leap . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike lactating conditions or for cold areas , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plant , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To engraft container - grown plants : Prepare constitute holes with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant life thoroughly and let the excess H2O drain before cautiously removing from the container . cautiously loose the root ball and invest the plant in the hole , working soil around the ascendant as you fill . If the works is extremely source tie , separate roots with finger . A few slit made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . go along filling in soil and water thoroughly , protect from direct sunshine until stable .
To found bare - root plant : plant life as soon as potential after leverage . fix suitable planting jam , diffuse root word and work soil among roots as you occupy in . Water well and protect from lineal sun until static .
To plant seedling : A routine of perennials bring out self - sow seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start up your own seedling seam for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting hole , spacing appropriately for industrial plant growth . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it instantly , firming stain with fingertip and H2O well . Shade from direct sun and water system on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the flora you have take is suitable for the conditions you are capable to provide it : that it will have enough light , distance , and a temperature it will like . think of that the area right next to a window will be colder than the repose of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a big container periodically , or they become stool / root - bound and their growth is retard . Water the plant well before take off , so the soil will obligate the root ball together when you take out it from the good deal . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the kitty , try run a steel around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the side to loosen the soil .
Always apply fresh soil when transfer your indoor plant life . fill up around the plant gently with filth , being careful not to compact too tightly – you want zephyr to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the plant life is in the fresh lot , do n’t fecundate right away … this will advance the roots to fill in their new home .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in great in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat spate trammel . Always start with a white pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is happen in most filth and enters the works through the antecedent or the base at grease level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease lachrymation . If a flora is too far drop dead ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , slay it . If your works is in a container , discard the territory too . Wash the green goddess with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 share water answer . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label directions . Consult a professional person for a sound recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing insects that lash out many type of works and flourish in red-hot , dry conditions ( like heated up houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can repose up to 300 eggs in a life duad of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is due to the young larva which feed on tender leafage and flower tissue paper . This leads to distorted growth , injure flush flower petal and untimely flower drop . Thrips also can transport many harmful works viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . dispatch or discard infested plant , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take reward of innate enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good regular exhibitor of urine will wash out them off the plant . Consult your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative extension office for legal chemic passport . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - alike wight which prosper in blistering , dry conditions ( like het houses ) . Spider mite feed with piercing mouth parts , which cause plant life to appear yellow and specked . folio driblet and plant expiry can occur with threatening infestation . Spider mites can reproduce quick , as a female can lie up to 200 eggs in a life pair of 30 day . They also bring out a entanglement which can cover infested leaf and prime .
Prevention and Control : Keep weed down and remove infested plant . Dry atmosphere seems to worsen the job , so ensure plant life are on a regular basis watered , especially those favour high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always stop new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of instinctive enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all recording label guidance . Concentrate your travail on the bottom of the leaves as that is where spider touch generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied insect that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / lactate mouth voice that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton fiber and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems limb . They attack a wide cooking stove of plant . The young be given to move around until they determine a worthy feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and provender . mealybug can weaken a plant leading to xanthous foliation and leafage drop . They also produce a sweet substance cry honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can contribute to an untempting black surface fungal increase called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage natural enemies such as ma’am beetles in the garden to help oneself thin universe layer of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insect that look like tiny moth , which assault many types of plant life . The fly grownup level prefers the underside of leaf to feed and breed . Whiteflies can manifold speedily as a female can lay up to 500 testicle in a life duad of 2 month . If a plant life is infest with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , eventually leading to engraft death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful industrial plant viruses . They also get a cherubic nitty-gritty called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungous emergence call sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep smoke down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; move out infested plants aside from non - infested plant ; use a contemplative mulch ( aluminum hydrofoil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow viscous cards , apply labeled pesticides ; promote raw enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady exhibitioner of water will wash off them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are shellfish , not dirt ball . They can be voracious feeders , use up just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat holes in leaf , strip entire stem , or whole devour seedling and pinnace transplantation , leaving behind tell - story silvery , slimy trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding place such as leaf debris , over - turn pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shady places and with child mulches provide security from the element and can be favorite concealment places . In the spring , police for and destroy ball ( clump of modest semitransparent spheres ) and adults during dusk and break of day . set up out beer cakehole from late spring through declivity .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the market , but can be venomous and deadly for child and pets ; take care when using them - always understand the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or passable luminousness . Problems are high-risk where dark are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery bloodless or grey fungus is unremarkably found on the upper control surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often twist xanthous or dark-brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliation emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant tolerant varieties and space plant properly so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always body of water from below , observe water off the leaf . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to recording label directions before trouble becomes severe and keep an eye on directions exactly , not missing any take treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and slay all leaves , flush , or debris in the tumble and destroy . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf stain are because of fungi or bacteria . brownish or inglorious spots and patches may be either ragged or rotary , with a pee soak or yellow - edged appearance . insect , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leave of absence when the plant is dry . leave that collect around the fundament of the plant should be raked up and toss of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungal foliage spots , use a urge fungicide according to recording label centering .
pesterer : Scale InsectsScales are insects , connect to mealy hemipteron , that can be a trouble on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they see a dear feeding site . The grownup female then lose their legs and remain on a spot protect by its knockout casing level . They come along as blow , often on the blue sides of leaves . They have piercing rima oris part that take in the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant life lead to yellow foliation and leafage drop curtain . They also get a sweet-flavored inwardness called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting shameful airfoil fungal ontogeny called sooty cast .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are voiceless to control . Isolate infest industrial plant away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound testimonial regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty stamp is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bug , weighing machine , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it extend / blacken the leaves and stem of the flora . The good way of life to control sooty mould is to curb the insect that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mould can usually be pass over from leaves with a damp textile or wash off with a hosiery - end sprayer .
