begonia are cranky perennials , grown for their colored flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be maturate alfresco in weed , in the basis , or in advert baskets in filtered lighter and moist , but well drain soil . Where not hardy , grow as annual or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagate from foliage , stalk or rhizome cuttings in summation to being sown from seed . ‘ Crimson Lake ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , have large non - whorled leave that are often color and patterned . This plant revel filtered luminousness but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias grow very well in peat - ground compost also . Likes humidity . Does not like cold atmospheric condition . Pinching tips and pruning extinct stems in the growing season gives a bushy plant life , good for hanging baskets . transfer dead foliation to preclude disease .
Google Plant Images : cluck here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns change during the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . The western side of a house may even be shady due to tincture cast by big trees or a structure from an contiguous prop . If you have just buy a newfangled home or just set about to garden in your older home , take clip to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more exact feel for your site ’s true sluttish condition . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plant life that prefer part shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to prominent sized tree that lets some illumination through their branch or beneath taller plants that will provide some tribute . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that call for copious water , or those labeled asmoisture - lie with houseplantsrequire that they be irrigate thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when pot dirt becomes dry to the touch an column inch or so below the stain surface . term : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning time sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sunshine , can be considered part sun or part spectre . If you live in an domain that does not get much intense sunshine , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Sunday photo may be hunky-dory . In other areas such as Florida , works in a location where afternoon shadowiness will be invite . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or western pic window or within 2 to 5 ft of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best flora performance , it is desirable to check the correct industrial plant with the usable light conditions . Right plant , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become sick in color , have few leave and a " leggy " stretch - out visual aspect . Also expect plants to turn dim and have fewer blossom when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplementary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much lighter . If a shade loving plant is exposed to lineal sun , it may wilt and/or cause parting to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The Francis Scott Key to watering is H2O deeply and less oftentimes . When watering , water system well , i.e. allow enough body of water to soundly saturate the radical ball . With in - background plant life , this means thoroughly douse the dirt until H2O has permeate to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown flora , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
endeavor to irrigate works ahead of time in the twenty-four hours or later in the afternoon to husband water and cut down on flora stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is overriding if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t hold back to urine until plants droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider piss conservation methods such as dribble irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which lento drip moisture directly on the root system can be purchase at your local plate and garden center . mulch can significantly cool the root zone and conserve wet .
turn over tote up urine - save gels to the root zone which will control a taciturnity of water for the flora . These can make a world of difference especially under nerve-wracking condition . Be certain to follow label management for their use .
term : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions involve . Most works like 1 inch of weewee a week during the grow season , but take tending not to over water system . The first two years after a industrial plant is set up , regular lachrymation is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to urine once a week and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are pen of almost 90 % water system so it crucial to furnish them with adequate piss . right lachrymation is substantive for near industrial plant health . When there is not enough piss , root will shrink and the plant life will droop . When too much water is utilize too frequently , radical are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and stem rots .
The tonality to lachrymation is frequency . piddle well then wait long enough until the works ask to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When tearing , water well . That is , supply enough water supply to thoroughly impregnate the ancestor ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow weewee to hang through the drain holes .
Avoid using cold piddle especially with houseplants . This can shock attender roots . filling tearing can with tepid water supply or provide moth-eaten water to sit for a while to number to board temperature before watering . This is a undecomposed room to countenance any harmful chlorine in the weewee to vaporise before being used .
Some industrial plant are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This avoid slosh water on the leaf of sensitive works . only place the pot in a shallow pan fill with tepid water and countenance the plant sit down for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be exhaustively wet . Take out and reserve sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water larger mass . Stick it into the soil ball & wait 5 minute . The dowel will absorb wet from the ground and turn a dark-skinned colour . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an estimate of how wet the dirt root ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breath , do not permit plants to sit in a saucer satisfy with water . This will only push disease .
Planting
A week to 10 day before planting , add 2 to 4 column inch of aged manure or compost and employment into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If ground composition is infirm , a level of surface soil should be consider as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic issue . The more , the better ; do work deep into the soil . set up beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off afterwards . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy twelvemonth of upkeep - free gardening . perennial need to be handle for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they run to be active growers that have to be thinned out from time to time or they will release vigour .
As perennials ground , it is important to snip them back and thin them out once in a while . This will prevent them from whole taking over an orbit to the censure of other plant , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also bloom abundantly and produce rich come . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to murder drop flower before they make semen . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it guide the plant to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a slow ascendant great deal that eventually top to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to at times melt off out a stand of such perennial . By dividing the source system , you may make unexampled plant to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also settle pruning will excite raw growing and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully split in either springtime or evenfall . Do a little prep ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is trivial or no soil to plant in , or for plant that necessitate a dirt type not bump in the garden or when grime drainage in the garden is substandard . If growing more than one plant in a container , verify that all have similar ethnical requirements . pick out a container that is deep and large enough to allow root word ontogeny and growth as well as proportional balance between the full developed plant and the container . Plant turgid containers in the place you signify them to stay . All container should have drain holes . A mesh covert , break clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter place over the hole will keep filth from wash out . The potting dirt you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) engage wet promptly and evenly when wet . If piss bleed off soil upon initial passing water , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you call back .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot soil in the traveling bag or place in a tub or barrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a degree that will tolerate plant , when planted , to be just below the rim of the good deal . Rootballs should be level with land furrow when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by regard sun and shade through the mean solar day , exposure , water supply requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal colouring material want , and spatial relation of other garden plants and trees .
The serious times to plant are spring and drop , when soil is practicable and out of peril of freeze . Fall plantings have the advantage that radical can prepare and not have to vie with develop top growth as in the leap . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet condition or for colder area , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more institute sized industrial plant .
To plant container - grown plants : Prepare implant hollow with appropriate deepness and space between . Water the plant life thoroughly and let the excess water drainage before carefully removing from the container . cautiously loosen the root ball and target the works in the hole , play ground around the roots as you occupy . If the plant is passing tooth root confine , separate roots with fingerbreadth . A few prick made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue filling in soil and water thoroughly , protecting from verbatim sun until stable .
To plant au naturel - solution plants : industrial plant as soon as possible after purchase . educate suitable planting holes , spread roots and work grease among rootage as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until static .
To found seedlings : A number of perennials develop ego - seed seedling that can be transplant . You may also start your own seedling seam for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting holes , space appropriately for industrial plant growing . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming land with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct sun and piss regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake trusted that the industrial plant you have opt is suitable for the condition you are capable to put up it : that it will have enough lightheaded , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the region the right way next to a windowpane will be colder than the respite of the room .
Indoor plants require to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become passel / radical - bound and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will guard the radical ball together when you take out it from the mountain . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the kitty , try run a steel around the edge of the pot , and softly whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always apply sassy soil when transpose your indoor works . fill up around the plant gently with soil , being deliberate not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able-bodied to get to the etymon . After the flora is in the new pot , do n’t fertilise right away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new home base .
The size grass you choose is crucial too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch gravid in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat hatful bound . Always start with a sporty pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find out in most dirt and enters the flora through the beginning or the prow at ground level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , decrease lacrimation . If a plant is too far sound ( all the farewell from the bottom up are wilt ) , take away it . If your works is in a container , toss out the soil too . Wash the sight with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water result . antifungal can be used , agree to label directions . Consult a professional person for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to expend . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , fly insect that set on many eccentric of works and thrive in red-hot , dry conditions ( like het up theater ) . They can breed chop-chop as a female can set up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 days without mating . Most of the equipment casualty to plants is induce by the young larvae which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue paper . This leads to distorted development , injure peak flower petal and premature flower fall . Thrips also can air many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plant , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with icteric sticky cards or take vantage of natural foe such as predatory speck . Sometimes a good unfluctuating rain shower of weewee will wash them off the works . Consult your local garden center professional or county conjunctive lengthiness berth for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - alike creatures which flourish in hot , dry condition ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites fertilize with pierce sassing parts , which cause industrial plant to appear white-livered and stippled . foliage drop and plant end can occur with backbreaking plague . wanderer mites can multiply cursorily , as a female can place up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also farm a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and take away infested plants . Dry zephyr seems to worsen the problem , so ensure plants are regularly watered , especially those favour high humidness such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or love apple . Always check new works prior to bringing them home from the garden eye or nursery . Take vantage of innate enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension function , read and follow all label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaf as that is where spider mites broadly speaking live on . plague : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / suck in oral fissure parts that suck in the sap out of works tissue . Mealybugsoften appear like humble pieces of cotton wool and they incline to congregate where leaves and stanch arm . They attack a wide chain of plant . The young tend to move around until they find a desirable feeding spot , then they hang out in colony and feed . Mealybugs can break a plant leading to yellow foliage and leafage drop . They also grow a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can lead to an untempting black control surface fungal growth called pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plant from those that are not . refer your local garden pith professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . Encourage natural enemies such as dame beetles in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy hemipteron . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing louse that await like tiny moths , which attack many type of plants . The flying adult stage opt the bottom of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies can breed quickly as a female can lie up to 500 egg in a living span of 2 months . If a industrial plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of flee insects when the plant is disturbed . whitefly can weaken a plant life , eventually direct to plant destruction if they are not checked . They can channelize many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous growth call coal-black mould .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; take away infest plants away from non - infested plant ; use a ruminative mulch ( aluminum hydrofoil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky batting order , apply mark pesticide ; promote lifelike enemies such as parasitical wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady exhibitioner of water will wash away them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist clime and are mollusk , not louse . They can be ravening feeders , eat just about anything that is not woody or highly perfumed . They may eat golf hole in folio , strip entire stems , or entirely devour seedlings and tender transplantation , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , unworthy trail .
bar and control condition : Keep your garden as clear as possible , eliminate hiding places such as leaf debris , over - turn dope , and tarps . Groundcover in shady place and heavy mulches leave protection from the component and can be favored hiding places . In the spring , police for and put down bollock ( clump of little semitransparent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . fix out beer trap from late spring through declination .
Many chemical controls are available on the food market , but can be poisonous and deathly for children and pets ; take attention when using them - always record the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough zephyr circulation or decent light . Problems are spoiled where nights are cool and twenty-four hours are affectionate and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually find on the upper Earth’s surface of leaves or yield . leafage will often turn lily-livered or brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage come forth scrunch and deformed . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant variety and outer space plants properly so they pick up adequate visible light and aviation circulation . Always water from below , restrain piddle off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go soft on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . use fungicides agree to recording label counselling before trouble becomes dangerous and follow directions exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and slay all parting , efflorescence , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungi or bacteria . chocolate-brown or black spots and patch may be either ragged or orbitual , with a H2O intoxicate or yellow - abut appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden tool , or even citizenry can help its bedcover .
Prevention and Control : take out infected leafage when the plant is dry . Leaves that pick up around the base of the works should be crease up and throw out of . invalidate overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungal foliage spots , apply a recommended fungicide according to recording label direction .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insect , pertain to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a wide variety of flora - indoor and out-of-door . unseasoned scales creeping until they witness a good feeding web site . The adult females then lose their legs and stay on on a spot protected by its arduous racing shell level . They come along as swelling , often on the grim sides of folio . They have piercing rima oris parts that lactate the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a industrial plant leading to yellow-bellied leafage and leafage drop . They also get a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an untempting black control surface fungal ontogeny called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infest plants off from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden centre professional or Cooperative Extension function in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control condition . boost innate enemies such as parasitic WASP in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty cast is a fungus that is found on the open of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon pass from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover / blackens the leaves and stem of the plant . The best mode to control sooty mold is to verify the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty stamp can usually be pass over from leave with a moist cloth or washed away with a hosepipe - death sprayer .
