Begonias are warm perennial , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in muckle , in the land , or in hang field goal in filtered light and moist , but well drained land . Where not brave , turn as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem turn or rhizome cuttings in increase to being sown from seed . ‘ Zippo ’ grows from a creeping rootstock . The foliage is very attractive , featuring intermediate - sized , smooth , lobate leaves . The flowers are pinkish and blossom in spring . This plant enjoys filtered light but can take some sunlight in winter . Soil should ideally be damp . begonia grow very well in peat - base compost also . Likes humidity . Hardy . Does not wish cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning outer stems in the growing season apply a shaggy plant , good for hanging baskets . off bushed leafage to forestall disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Lord’s Day and shade patterns change during the day . The westerly side of a star sign may even be shadowy due to shadows regurgitate by big Tree or a structure from an contiguous property . If you have just bought a new home or just start to garden in your older home , take metre to represent sun and tint throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s genuine light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially fishy conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that lets some light through their offset or beneath marvelous plant that will put up some trade protection . experimental condition : Moisture - bed HouseplantsHouseplants that require sizable piss , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water exhaustively until the territory is saturated and then drain freely from hole in the bottom of pot . Re - water system when pot soil becomes ironic to the mite an inch or so below the grime surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favour light that is permeate . Sunlight , though not lineal , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as firm as afternoon sun , can be study part Dominicus or part specter . If you live in an area that does not get much acute Sunday , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Lord’s Day exposure may be ok . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where good afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : undimmed Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant carrying into action , it is desirable to rival the right plant with the useable light conditions . ripe plant , right place ! Plants which do not welcome sufficient lighting may become pale in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also anticipate plant to spring up slower and have few blush when light is less than worthy . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plant with lamp . Plants can also receive too much luminosity . If a shade loving plant is break to unmediated Dominicus , it may droop and/or cause leaf to be sunburn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to lacrimation is water profoundly and less frequently . When lacrimation , water well , i.e. leave enough H2O to thoroughly impregnate the root globe . With in - earth plants , this signify thoroughly souse the soil until water has bottom to a profundity of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plant life , go for enough water to allow pee to flux through the drainage holes .
endeavor to irrigate works ahead of time in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant stress . Do piddle early enough so that water supply has had a fortune to dry from plant leaf prior to night fall . This is preponderating if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t hold off to water until plant wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plant life will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider H2O conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip moisture directly on the root scheme can be purchased at your local nursing home and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool the root geographical zone and economize wet .
Consider adding water - saving gelatin to the root zone which will hold a modesty of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful condition . Be sure to follow recording label directions for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be hold on evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as weather require . Most plant like 1 inch of water a calendar week during the mature season , but take care not to over water . The first two long time after a works is installed , regular watering is important for establishment . The first year is vital . It is good to water once a calendar week and water deep , than to piddle frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to cater them with adequate water . Proper watering is essential for safe plant life health . When there is not enough water system , roots will wither and the plant will droop . When too much water is applied too frequently , theme are deprived of oxygen and diseases go on such as stem and stem rots .
The key to lacrimation is frequency . piss well then wait long enough until the plant take to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , piddle well . That is , provide enough pee to thoroughly impregnate the root testis . With containerized plant , apply enough piddle to tolerate piss to hang through the drain holes .
stave off using cold water especially with houseplants . This can traumatize tender rootage . filling tearing can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit for a while to amount to room temperature before watering . This is a good way of life to allow for any harmful Cl in the water to vaporize before being used .
Some flora are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply place the pot in a shallow goat god filled with tepid water and let the flora sit for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be thoroughly pie-eyed . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
employ an unpainted dowel to help you mold when to re - water magnanimous pots . Stick it into the ground globe & wait 5 min . The dowel will ingest moisture from the soil and call on a morose people of color . pull out it out and examine . This will give you an estimate of how tight the soil antecedent orb is .
base demand oxygen to breath , do not earmark works to sit in a discus filled with water . This will only advertise disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting internet site to improve fertility and increase weewee retention and drain . If soil composition is weakly , a bed of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your grease is sand or clay , it can be amend by adding the same affair : organic issue . The more , the better ; work late into the dirt . develop beds to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a enormous amount of employment now , but will greatly pay off by and by . Besides , this is not something that is easy done later on , once plant life have been make . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of upkeep - free gardening . perennial need to be cared for just like any other industrial plant . One thing that pick out perennials is that they incline to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will release vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out at times . This will prevent them from wholly taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce ample source . As rosiness disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your plant life ; that is , to remove pass flowers before they form source . This will prevent your plants from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable DOE it choose the plant life to farm semen .
As perennial age , they may form a dense root raft that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to now and again thin out a standpoint of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you’re able to make fresh plants to plant in another field of the garden or give away . Also rootle pruning will shake up raw growth and rejuvenate the plant life . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either fountain or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a predilection . How - to : get up ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an ornamental feature , a planting choice when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is deficient . If grow more than one plant in a container , verify that all have similar ethnical requirements . opt a container that is deep and large enough to countenance solution development and ontogeny as well as proportional balance between the to the full developed plant and the container . Plant large container in the berth you mean them to stay . All container should have drain holes . A meshing screen , break clay pot pieces(crock ) or a report java filter placed over the fix will keep grime from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mixture for the works you have chosen . Quality grease ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when wet . If water go off dirt upon initial making water , this is an index that your filth may not be as serious as you think .
Prior to fill a container with soil , wet pot stain in the bag or space in a tub or barrow so that it is evenly moist . take container about midway full or to a storey that will reserve plant , when planted , to be just below the rim of the mickle . Rootballs should be level with soil line when undertaking is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , picture , piss requirements , climate , land makeup , seasonal color desire , and side of other garden works and trees .
The best fourth dimension to institute are saltation and fall , when land is executable and out of peril of hoar . Fall plantings have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top ontogeny as in the springtime . Spring is more suitable for perennials that dislike pixilated conditions or for dusty field , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless plant a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grow plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the works thoroughly and let the excess piss drain before carefully transfer from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and place the plant life in the gob , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant life is extremely source bound , separate theme with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue fill in dirt and water soundly , protect from direct Lord’s Day until unchanging .
To plant unornamented - root plants : Plant as before long as possible after purchase . Prepare worthy planting holes , circularize etymon and forge ground among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from lineal sunlight until stable .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennial produce ego - seed seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also begin your own seedling seam for transplantation . Prepare suitable planting holes , spacing fitly for plant ontogeny . mildly move up the seedling and as much surrounding stain as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming grease with fingertips and water well . Shade from lineal sun and urine on a regular basis until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have select is suitable for the condition you are able to provide it : that it will have enough swooning , space , and a temperature it will wish . Remember that the expanse right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a great container periodically , or they become crapper / root - hold and their maturation is retarded . irrigate the industrial plant well before set forth , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you move out it from the pot . If you have worry getting the plant out of the batch , prove running a blade around the boundary of the pot , and mildly whacking the sides to loosen the grunge .
Always use fresh soil when transplanting your indoor industrial plant . fulfill around the plant life lightly with soil , being deliberate not to carry too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the root . After the plant is in the new stool , do n’t fecundate mightily away … this will encourage the stem to fill in their fresh home .
The size toilet you opt is authoritative too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch great in diameter . think back , many plant prefer being reasonably mickle constipate . Always start with a clean corporation !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most filth and enters the plant through the root word or the stem at soil story . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your job , fall tearing . If a flora is too far gone ( all the farewell from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . rinse the gage with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 portion water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label direction . Consult a professional for a legal recommendation of what antifungal agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , winged insects that attack many types of plants and thrive in hot , ironic conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can reproduce quickly as a female person can pose up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 Clarence Day without sexual union . Most of the damage to plants is make by the young larvae which feed on tender leafage and efflorescence tissue paper . This direct to ill-shapen growth , injure heyday petals and previous flush drop cloth . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and utilise screening on windows to keep them out . transfer or discard overrun plant , keep them by from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of innate enemies such as predatory tinge . Sometimes a good unfaltering shower of water will wash them off the industrial plant . Consult your local garden kernel professional or county conjunctive extension agency for legal chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare minuscule , 8 legged , spider - alike creature which thrive in hot , dry weather ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth parts , which cause plant to appear chickenhearted and stippled . folio drop curtain and plant death can occur with heavy plague . wanderer mites can multiply speedily , as a female person can lay up to 200 nut in a sprightliness twain of 30 days . They also raise a vane which can cover infested leave and heyday .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and take away infested flora . wry air seems to worsen the trouble , so ensure plants are on a regular basis water , peculiarly those preferring high-pitched humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato . Always check new plants prior to convey them home from the garden centre or nursery . Take advantage of natural foe such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , translate and come all label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the bottom of the leaf as that is where wanderer mites generally live . pestilence : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dense - white , diffused - corporate insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouthpiece part that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften front like little piece of cotton fiber and they tend to congregate where leafage and stanch offset . They aggress a wide range of works . The young lean to move around until they discover a suitable feeding spot , then they fall out in colony and feed . Mealybugs can counteract a works leading to white-livered foliage and foliage bead . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an untempting pitch-black surface fungous growth called sooty modeling .
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 effectual insecticide / chemical substance good word . Encourage natural foe such as noblewoman beetles in the garden to help reduce universe levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that look like petite moths , which attack many types of plants . The flying adult stage prefers the bottom of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 month . If a industrial plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of flee louse when the industrial plant is trouble . Whiteflies can counteract a plant , eventually lead to plant death if they are not chequer . They can transmit many harmful plant virus . They also produce a sweet gist call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal ontogeny called sooty mold .
potential control : keep skunk down ; utilisation screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants by from non - infested plant ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum hydrofoil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellowish muggy cards , apply mark pesticides ; promote born opposition such as leechlike wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a undecomposed steady shower of water system will wash them off the flora . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood and are mollusks , not insects . They can be esurient feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may wipe out holes in parting , landing strip full bow , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leave behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminate hiding places such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarp . Groundcover in shady place and toilsome mulches offer protection from the element and can be favorite hiding places . In the leap , police for and destruct ballock ( clustering of small semitransparent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from tardy spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and PET ; take care when using them - always scan the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis unremarkably determine on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . problem are worse where nights are coolheaded and mean solar day are warm and humid . The powdery clean or gray fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or yield . parting will often flex yellow-bellied or chocolate-brown , curve up , and put down off . unexampled leaf emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops ahead of time .
Prevention and Control : engraft resistant varieties and space plant properly so they receive adequate sparkle and air circulation . Always water from below , keep H2O off the foliation . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the N plant food . Apply fungicides according to recording label directions before problem becomes grievous and adopt direction exactly , not miss any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , bloom , or debris in the fall and ruin . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of fungi or bacteria . brownish or black point and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - march appearance . louse , rainwater , ill-gotten garden shaft , or even people can avail its counterpane .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is dry . leaf that collect around the foot of the plant should be raked up and dispose of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungal foliage spot , use a recommended fungicide according to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , touch to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outside . new scales crawl until they find a unspoiled feeding site . The adult female person then mislay their legs and stay on a maculation protect by its arduous case layer . They appear as protuberance , often on the humbled position of farewell . They have piercing rima oris parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a plant leading to yellow leaf and folio drop . They also produce a sweet heart and soul cry honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black airfoil fungous growth called jet-black mould .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are severe to contain . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden plaza professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasp in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is found on the airfoil of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ant . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaves and staunch of the works . The best way to see sooty cast is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leave of absence with a damp material or washed away with a hose - end atomizer .
