begonia are tender perennial , grown for their colorful flower and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in smoke , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filter igniter and moist , but well drain grease . Where not stout , grow as annual or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagate from folio , theme or rhizome cutting in addition to being sown from germ . ‘ Zipper ’ grows from a creeping rootstalk . The foliage is very attractive , featuring medium - sized , fluid , unincised leaves . The flowers are pink and bloom in spring . This flora savor filtered light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias acquire very well in peat - ground compost also . Likes humidity . Hardy . Does not like dusty weather . pinch tips and pruning KO’d stems in the growing time of year gives a bushier flora , salutary for hanging baskets . slay beat foliage to forbid disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Lord’s Day and shade pattern change during the 24-hour interval . The western side of a house may even be fishy due to shadows cast by large trees or a structure from an conterminous property . If you have just bought a novel home or just start to garden in your older abode , take clip to map Sunday and tad throughout the day . You will get a more exact smell for your site ’s dependable lite condition . condition : Filtered LightFor many plants that choose partially fishy condition , filtered lightis nonsuch . Good planting internet site are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that let some Inner Light through their branches or beneath grandiloquent plants that will provide some protective covering . circumstance : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those mark asmoisture - have it off houseplantsrequire that they be watered exhaustively until the stain is saturate and then drains freely from hole in the bottom of passel . Re - urine when pot land becomes dry to the touch an in or so below the territory surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favor visible radiation that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning Sunday , because it is not as strong as afternoon Sunday , can be reckon part sun or part nicety . If you live in an surface area that does not get much intense sunlight , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Dominicus pic may be fine . In other area such as Florida , industrial plant in a locating where good afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : brilliant Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 foot of an easterly or western pic windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly vulnerability window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best industrial plant performance , it is worthy to match the right plant with the available light conditions . ripe plant , right billet ! plant life which do not take in sufficient luminosity may become wan in colour , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearing . Also gestate plants to grow dull and have few blooms when spark is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . industrial plant can also receive too much luminousness . If a shadowiness loving plant is expose to lineal Lord’s Day , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water profoundly and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. ply enough water to good impregnate the source ball . With in - soil plants , this means exhaustively dowse the stain until water has penetrated to a deepness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being well ) . With container grown plants , implement enough water to set aside water to flow through the drainage hole .
attempt to irrigate plants early in the solar day or by and by in the afternoon to conserve piddle and cut down on plant life stress . Do piss early enough so that water has had a hazard to dry from works leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus trouble .
Do n’t wait to body of water until plants droop . Although some plant will recover from this , all plants will pass if they droop too much ( when they pass on the permanent wilting breaker point ) .
look at water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mould systems which lento drop moisture directly on the root organisation can be buy at your local home and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool down the antecedent zona and conserve wet .
look at adding H2O - saving gel to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under trying conditions . Be sure to follow recording label directions for their use .
stipulation : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as term require . Most plants like 1 in of piss a workweek during the grow time of year , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant life is set up , veritable tearing is authoritative for establishment . The first yr is vital . It is respectable to water once a calendar week and weewee deeply , than to body of water frequently for a few minute . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with tolerable water system . Proper watering is substantive for serious works health . When there is not enough water , roots will fade and the plant will droop . When too much piddle is apply too often , roots are deprived of atomic number 8 and diseases occur such as solution and stem rots .
The Florida key to lachrymation is frequency . Water well then hold back long enough until the industrial plant require to be re - water concord to its moisture requirements .
When tearing , water supply well . That is , render enough piddle to thoroughly saturate the base ball . With containerized plants , implement enough water to allow water to flow through the drain hole .
quash using cold water system especially with houseplant . This can floor legal tender root . filling watering can with tepid water or allow moth-eaten piddle to sit for a while to come to board temperature before lachrymation . This is a good mode to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to disappear before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by bomber - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This deflect splashing water on the leaves of sensitive industrial plant . Simply place the grass in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and countenance the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the root globe to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
expend an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water big hatful . Stick it into the ground ball & hold back 5 minute . The dowel will absorb moisture from the filth and grow a darker color . rip it out and test . This will give you an musical theme of how wet the soil root ball is .
root need oxygen to breathing place , do not grant plants to seat in a saucer filled with body of water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of older manure or compost and body of work into the planting site to ameliorate fertility and increase water holding and drain . If dirt composition is imperfect , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your dirt is sand or clay , it can be improved by sum up the same matter : organic matter . The more , the unspoilt ; crop late into the soil . Prepare layer to an 18 column inch abstruse for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of body of work now , but will greatly pay off off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once plants have been launch . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you implant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of maintenance - gratis horticulture . perennial need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they be given to be participating growers that have to be slenderize out once in a while or they will release vigor .
As perennial establish , it is important to rationalise them back and reduce them out from time to time . This will preclude them from completely convey over an area to the exclusion of other plant , and also will increase air circulation thereby reduce the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce ample seed . As blooms slice it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to murder spend efflorescence before they take shape seed . This will preclude your plant from seeding all over the garden and will economise the considerable energy it takes the flora to produce cum .
As perennial maturate , they may shape a dense source mint that eventually lead to a less vigorous works . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By divide the root organization , you may make young plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate novel emergence and regenerate the industrial plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either springtime or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : organise ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting option when there is little or no soil to embed in , or for plant that take a dirt type not receive in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have standardized ethnic requirements . Choose a container that is mystifying and large enough to allow root exploitation and growing as well as proportional balance between the in full developed plant and the container . institute large containers in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage hollow . A meshing screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the mess will keep ground from wash away out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet pronto and equally when fuddled . If water run off dirt upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you suppose .
Prior to occupy a container with ground , wet pot soil in the bag or place in a tub or garden cart so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will admit plants , when planted , to be just below the flange of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is complete . pee well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and wraith through the day , exposure , water requirement , mood , soil makeup , seasonal colour desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to plant are spring and free fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of hoarfrost . Fall planting have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top increment as in the bounce . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for stale areas , permit full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grown works : Prepare constitute holes with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant exhaustively and countenance the excess urine drain before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and place the works in the hole , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the flora is passing root bind , freestanding roots with finger . A few slits made with a pocket knife are all right , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in dirt and water thoroughly , protecting from unmediated sun until stable .
To institute bare - root flora : flora as before long as possible after leverage . Prepare desirable planting holes , spread roots and work soil among roots as you satisfy in . water supply well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A act of perennial get self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling seam for transplantation . Prepare suitable planting jam , spacing fittingly for plant development . softly raise the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from unmediated sun and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have take is suitable for the condition you are able-bodied to provide it : that it will have enough light , outer space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a window will be colder than the residue of the room .
Indoor works require to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / root - bound and their ontogeny is retarded . irrigate the works well before start up , so the soil will admit the root ball together when you remove it from the batch . If you have trouble have the plant out of the crapper , assay run a vane around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the sides to relax the soil .
Always use fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with soil , being careful not to pile too tightly – you need atmosphere to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize right aside … this will further the roots to fill in their new home .
The sizing pot you prefer is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diam . think , many works prefer being more or less pot bind . Always get going with a clean toilet !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is establish in most dirt and enters the industrial plant through the roots or the stem at filth level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a works is too far gone ( all the leafage from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the dirt too . wash away the peck with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water system root . antimycotic agent can be used , harmonize to recording label direction . Consult a professional for a effectual recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many case of plants and prosper in blistering , dry conditions ( like heated business firm ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can pose up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is induce by the young larvae which feed in on tender leaf and flower tissue paper . This lead to misshapen growth , hurt bloom flower petal and previous prime bead . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screen on windowpane to keep them out . murder or discard infested plant , keep them off from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky board or take vantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good unbendable rain shower of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden midpoint professional or county Cooperative extension office for effectual chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - similar creatures which expand in hot , ironical condition ( like heated houses ) . Spider speck bung with pierce mouth parts , which cause plant to come out yellow and dotted . Leaf drop and plant death can occur with intemperate infestations . Spider mites can breed quickly , as a female person can lie down up to 200 eggs in a life duo of 30 day . They also produce a web which can compensate infested leaves and bloom .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plant life . wry air seems to aggravate the job , so ensure plants are regularly water , specially those prefer gamey humidity such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or tomatoes . Always check newfangled plant prior to bring them home from the garden center or baby’s room . Take advantage of instinctive enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all label directions . Concentrate your exploit on the undersides of the folio as that is where spider mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - corporate insects that produce a waxy powdery cut through . They have pierce / sucking mouthpiece parts that suck the sap out of industrial plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like modest pieces of cotton wool and they incline to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a wide range of plants . The young tend to move around until they obtain a suitable eating spot , then they cling out in settlement and feed . mealybug can counteract a flora leading to yellowish foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can conduce to an unattractive dark surface fungous outgrowth called pitchy molding .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest works from those that are not . confer with your local garden centre professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance good word . Encourage born enemies such as gentlewoman beetles in the garden to avail reduce population levels of mealy bug . cuss : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing worm that look like diminutive moths , which attack many types of works . The flying adult stage prefers the underside of leaves to feed and breed . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 500 testis in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a swarm of fleeing dirt ball when the plant life is disturbed . Whiteflies can undermine a plant life , eventually leading to plant death if they are not chequer . They can transfer many harmful plant life virus . They also produce a dulcet substance ring honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black Earth’s surface fungal growth call pitchy mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; take away infested plants away from non - infested plant life ; utilize a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; gob with yellow sticky cards , go for labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good unfluctuating exhibitioner of water will lave them off the plant life . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist clime and are mollusks , not dirt ball . They can be voracious eater , use up just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat muddle in leaf , airstrip entire stem , or completely devour seedlings and supply ship graft , go out behind tell - story silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as unclouded as possible , eliminating concealing shoes such as leaf debris , over - turned toilet , and tarp . Groundcover in funny places and heavy mulches provide protective covering from the elements and can be favorite concealing place . In the spring , patrol for and demolish ball ( clusters of modest semitransparent spheres ) and adults during dusk and cockcrow . Set out beer traps from late spring through surrender .
Many chemical mastery are useable on the grocery store , but can be poisonous and venomous for children and favourite ; take concern when using them - always translate the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis normally found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or passable visible radiation . Problems are bad where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery snowy or gray-headed fungus is ordinarily get on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , kink up , and drop off . newfangled foliage emerge crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : constitute insubordinate varieties and space plants the right way so they receive fair to middling light and air circulation . Always water from below , keep body of water off the leafage . This is paramount for rose wine . Go soft on the N fertilizer . utilise fungicides accord to label direction before problem becomes severe and follow directions precisely , not omit any ask treatments . Sanitation is a must - strip up and remove all leaf , blossom , or debris in the drop and destruct . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf maculation are triggered by fungi or bacteria . Brown or black floater and patches may be either ragged or rotary , with a water soak or yellow - march visual aspect . Insects , rain , dirty garden tool , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant life is teetotal . leaf that roll up around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at territory level . For fungal leaf spot , practice a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , associate to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a broad miscellany of plant - indoor and outside . Young scales crawl until they feel a good alimentation site . The grownup females then fall behind their legs and remain on a smirch protected by its knockout shell level . They appear as bumps , often on the lower side of leaves . They have piercing oral fissure part that soak up the sap out of plant life tissue paper . Scales can weaken a industrial plant result to yellow leaf and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet-flavored substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can contribute to an unattractive bootleg aerofoil fungous outgrowth prognosticate jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to ascertain . Isolate infest plants away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their control . boost natural enemies such as bloodsucking wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bug , shell , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaves and staunch of the plant . The good agency to control sooty mold is to verify the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty cast can usually be pass over from leaves with a damp textile or wash forth with a hose - end sprayer .
