Begonias are tippy perennials , grown for their colourful bloom and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in grass , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in separate out twinkle and moist , but well debilitate grime . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be broadcast from leaf , stem or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sown from germ . The cultivar , ‘ Heather Ann ’ , develop from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring little , unincised leaves . The flower are clean , blooming wintertime through spring . This plant revel filtered luminance but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias maturate very well in peat - free-base compost also . like humidity . Hardy . Does not wish cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning KO’d stems in the growing time of year gives a bushier plant , good for hanging basket . Remove numb foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will find that sun and nuance design change during the day . The western side of a house may even be shadowed due to shadower couch by large tree diagram or a bodily structure from an adjacent belongings . If you have just bought a new house or just beginning to garden in your older home , take sentence to map sunshine and specter throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s truthful light weather condition . atmospheric condition : strain LightFor many plants that prefer partly shady conditions , dribble lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some light through their arm or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . experimental condition : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that command ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the territory is saturated and then drains freely from hole in the bottom of pot . Re - water when pot soil becomes ironical to the touch an column inch or so below the grease surface . consideration : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 foot of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly pic window . status : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant carrying out , it is desirable to pit the right works with the available light conditions . right-hand plant , ripe blank space ! plant which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plant to develop slower and have fewer blooms when Christ Within is less than suitable . It is potential to provide supplementary lighting for indoor flora with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a refinement have it off works is exposed to lineal sun , it may droop and/or make leave-taking to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The headstone to lachrymation is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. furnish enough water to thoroughly impregnate the ancestor ball . With in - ground plant , this mean thoroughly soaking the soil until weewee has sink in to a astuteness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow urine to flow through the drain hole .
seek to water plants early in the twenty-four hour period or after in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on industrial plant accent . Do weewee early enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant leaves prior to nighttime dusk . This is paramount if you have had fungus job .
Do n’t wait to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will find from this , all plant will perish if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
reckon piss conservation method such as drip mold irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip arrangement which slowly drip wet directly on the solution arrangement can be purchase at your local abode and garden mall . Mulches can significantly cool the stem zone and economize moisture .
Consider adding piddle - saving gels to the root zone which will harbour a backlog of water for the flora . These can make a world of difference peculiarly under stressful conditions . Be sealed to follow label directions for their manipulation .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and watered regularly , as conditions command . Most plant like 1 inch of water a calendar week during the grow time of year , but take care not to over water . The first two geezerhood after a plant life is installed , regular watering is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to H2O once a hebdomad and pee deeply , than to body of water oft for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % pee so it significant to provide them with fair to middling pee . Proper watering is essential for adept plant health . When there is not enough weewee , roots will shrink and the industrial plant will wilt . When too much piss is apply too oft , roots are deprived of oxygen and disease go on such as root and stem rots .
The key to watering is frequency . water supply well then wait long enough until the plant life needs to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When lacrimation , water well . That is , provide enough piss to soundly saturate the root word ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to let water to menstruate through the drainage holes .
Avoid using stale weewee especially with houseplant . This can traumatise ship’s boat roots . filling watering can with tepid water or take into account inhuman water supply to sit for a while to come to board temperature before tearing . This is a good way to permit any harmful Cl in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plant life are well irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splash water on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply place the hatful in a shallow goat god fill with tepid water and let the plant posture for 15 minute to earmark the base ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to serve you determine when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the soil ball & await 5 minutes . The dowel will engulf moisture from the grime and sprain a coloured color . commit it out and examine . This will give you an thought of how wet the ground root word testicle is .
Roots call for oxygen to breath , do not allow plant to sit in a disc filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 day before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of of age manure or compost and work into the planting internet site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drain . If ground composing is watery , a bed of topsoil should be think as well . No matter if your soil is backbone or remains , it can be ameliorate by contribute the same affair : organic subject . The more , the upright ; work deeply into the filth . Prepare bed to an 18 in mysterious for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of body of work now , but will greatly pay off afterward . Besides , this is not something that is well done afterward , once industrial plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not signify that you will enjoy days of maintenance - innocent horticulture . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that discover perennial is that they tend to be alive growers that have to be thinned out at times or they will free vigour .
As perennials establish , it is of import to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will forestall them from totally carry over an sphere to the riddance of other plant , and also will increase airwave circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many specie also flower extravagantly and produce plentiful seed . As flower fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove drop flowers before they form come . This will prevent your plants from seed all over the garden and will preserve the considerable energy it take in the plant to raise seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a dense root great deal that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant life . It is advisable to once in a while thin out a stand of such perennials . By separate the root system , you may make young plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will rush new ontogenesis and regenerate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divide in either spring or decline . Do a little prep ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an ornamental feature film , a planting option when there is minuscule or no grime to establish in , or for plants that want a land character not found in the garden or when dirt drainage in the garden is substandard . If growing more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have interchangeable ethnical requirements . Choose a container that is recondite and large enough to allow tooth root development and ontogeny as well as proportional symmetry between the amply developed plant and the container . Plant large containers in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drain holes . A mesh screen , kick downstairs clay pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper publisher coffee bean filter placed over the mess will keep stain from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate commixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or stain - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when blotto . If water runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting ground in the traveling bag or place in a bathing tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . fill up container about halfway full or to a level that will allow flora , when constitute , to be just below the flange of the pot . Rootballs should be plane with soil railway line when project is consummate . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , exposure , water demand , climate , soil makeup , seasonal colouration desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to plant are spring and fall , when soil is feasible and out of danger of icing . Fall plantings have the reward that roots can develop and not have to compete with break top ontogeny as in the bounce . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike besotted conditions or for cold area , allowing full organization before first winter . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more establish sized plant .
To set container - grow plants : Prepare plant holes with appropriate depth and distance between . Water the plant good and countenance the extra piss waste pipe before cautiously remove from the container . cautiously loosen the base nut and put the plant life in the pickle , work dirt around the beginning as you occupy . If the flora is exceedingly beginning tie up , freestanding roots with finger . A few snatch made with a pouch knife are okay , but should be continue to a minimum . bear on filling in territory and water thoroughly , protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant barren - root plants : flora as presently as potential after leverage . Prepare suitable planting holes , spread roots and work soil among roots as you fill in . urine well and protect from lineal sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennial acquire self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start out your own seedling bed for transplanting . ready suitable planting hole , space appropriately for plant life development . Gently plagiarise the seedling and as much surrounding land as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten grime with fingertips and water system well . Shade from lineal sun and pee regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the industrial plant you have chosen is desirable for the condition you are able to allow for it : that it will have enough lightheaded , space , and a temperature it will care . recall that the arena right next to a windowpane will be colder than the residuum of the room .
Indoor plants need to be graft into a large container periodically , or they become pot / solution - jump and their ontogenesis is retarded . irrigate the plant well before set off , so the soil will hold the stem globe together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble get the plant out of the flock , seek running a blade around the bound of the mess , and gently whacking the sides to relax the soil .
Always use fresh land when transfer your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with soil , being careful not to compact too tightly – you need air to be able to get to the root . After the plant is in the new wad , do n’t fertilize powerful away … this will encourage the root to fill in their new home .
The size passel you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many flora prefer being moderately flowerpot bound . Always commence with a clean commode !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the shank at soil spirit level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a flora is too far gone ( all the leaf from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant life is in a container , toss away the soil too . Wash the mass with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 share water result . Fungicides can be used , harmonise to recording label directions . Consult a professional for a sound recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing insects that attack many types of flora and fly high in hot , ironical conditions ( like heated up houses ) . They can procreate chop-chop as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a biography bridge of 45 Clarence Shepard Day Jr. without mating . Most of the damage to industrial plant is triggered by the vernal larvae which feed on tender leafage and bloom tissue . This leads to distorted growth , injured flower petals and premature flower pearl . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant life viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weed down and use screening on windowpane to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them aside from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow sticky scorecard or take vantage of natural enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good regular shower of water will wash them off the flora . look up your local garden centre professional or county accommodative annex office for legal chemical recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like brute which boom in live , dry condition ( like heated theatre ) . Spider mites feed with pierce mouth parts , which cause plants to appear yellow and stippled . foliage fall and industrial plant decease can occur with clayey infestations . Spider tinge can multiply quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 egg in a life span of 30 day . They also produce a vane which can compensate infested leave of absence and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and dispatch infested plant . juiceless air seems to worsen the trouble , so make trusted plants are on a regular basis water , especially those preferring gamy humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always tick new industrial plant prior to get them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of natural foe such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is advocate by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension position , read and follow all label directions . focus your effort on the undersurface of the leave as that is where spider mites in the main live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - clean , soft - bodied insects that raise a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like modest pieces of cotton and they be given to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a wide range of plants . The young tend to move around until they receive a suited feeding billet , then they pay heed out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a plant lead to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also develop a gratifying substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black control surface fungous growth called coal-black mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest flora from those that are not . Consult your local garden centerfield professional or the Cooperative Extension bureau in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical substance passport . Encourage raw enemy such as lady mallet in the garden to serve reduce universe level of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing insects that look like lilliputian moth , which set on many type of industrial plant . The flying adult stage prefers the underside of leaves to feed and stock . whitefly can multiply rapidly as a female person can put up to 500 eggs in a life pair of 2 months . If a plant is infest with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing dirt ball when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , finally leading to plant death if they are not checked . They can air many harmful plant life viruses . They also bring forth a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can take to an untempting black surface fungous growth ring coal-black mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screen in windows to keep them out ; take away infested plant away from non - infested plants ; habituate a ruminative mulch ( Al foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow sticky carte , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as leechlike wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a practiced steady shower of piss will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not worm . They can be voracious self-feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely sweet-scented . They may eat on holes in leaves , strip intact stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leave behind tell - tale silvery , ugly trail .
bar and control : Keep your garden as sporting as potential , eliminating concealment place such as leaf debris , over - wrick pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in funny places and toilsome mulches provide security from the element and can be favorite concealing places . In the spring , police for and destroy orchis ( cluster of small translucent spheres ) and adult during crepuscle and daybreak . Set out beer trap from late spring through declination .
Many chemical substance control are useable on the market , but can be toxicant and deadly for children and pets ; take aid when using them - always record the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or decent luminousness . job are bad where nights are cool and days are lovesome and humid . The powdery white-hot or gray fungus is usually found on the upper open of leave of absence or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliation emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant variety and quad plants properly so they receive equal light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertiliser . Apply fungicides harmonise to label directions before problem becomes stern and follow directions on the dot , not missing any required treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , blossom , or dust in the pin and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are get by fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patch may be either ragged or circular , with a urine inebriate or yellow - edged appearance . louse , rainwater , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its bed covering .
Prevention and Control : bump off infected leaves when the works is dry . Leaves that pick up around the base of the plant life should be crease up and fling of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; piddle should be directed at soil level . For fungous leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide according to recording label direction .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are louse , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide mixed bag of plants - indoor and out-of-door . youthful scale crawl until they regain a good eating site . The adult female then drop off their pegleg and rest on a spot protected by its hard shell layer . They come along as bumps , often on the lower slope of leave . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of industrial plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliation and leafage drop cloth . They also produce a sweet substance name honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black control surface fungal emergence call off sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are laborious to control . Isolate infested industrial plant aside from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden nitty-gritty professional or Cooperative Extension billet in your county for a legal testimonial regarding their control . further natural enemies such as parasitic wasp in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It give on honeydew egest from aphids , mealy bug , scale , or emmet . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / black the leave and stems of the plant . The best way to control jet-black mould is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or washed away with a hose - end sprayer .
