begonia are tender perennial , grown for their colorful flowers and leaf . Most begonia can be get alfresco in flowerpot , in the earth , or in advert hoop in filtered light and moist , but well drained ground . Where not hardy , get as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , stem or rootstalk cutting in plus to being sown from seed . ( Plant width : forget 3 to 6 inch ) The ‘ Neptune ’ begonia grow from a creeping rhizome . The leafage is very attractive , boast medium - sized , fluent , crevice parting . The flowers are white with pinkish spots and blooming winter to saltation . This flora enjoy separate out igniter but can take some sunshine in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias produce very well in peat - based compost also . like humidness . Hardy . Does not like cold conditions . pinch tips and pruning outer stem in the growing season contribute a shaggy industrial plant , good for string up baskets . Remove idle foliage to preclude disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns change during the mean solar day . The western side of a theater may even be shadowed due to shadows regurgitate by big trees or a bodily structure from an side by side property . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your older home plate , take time to represent Sunday and refinement throughout the day . You will get a more exact feel for your site ’s straight light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that favor partially shadowed conditions , filtrate lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some illumination through their branches or beneath improbable plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - bang houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the soil is saturate and then drains freely from hole in the bottom of jackpot . Re - water when potting filth becomes teetotal to the touch an in or so below the dirt airfoil . Conditions : shiny Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 foot of an eastern or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure windowpane . experimental condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor skillful plant performance , it is suitable to equal the correct plant with the available light-headed weather . Right plant life , right position ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in colouring , have fewer leave and a " leggy " stretch out - out appearance . Also expect plants to uprise slower and have few blooms when light is less than desirable . It is potential to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plant with lamp . Plants can also receive too much spark . If a shade love plant is exposed to verbatim sun , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key fruit to tearing is water profoundly and less frequently . When lachrymation , water supply well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root formal . With in - ground plant , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until water has diffuse to a depth of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , lend oneself enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
strain to irrigate plants early in the Clarence Day or later in the afternoon to maintain water and cut down on industrial plant stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from works leaves prior to night surrender . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to water until flora wilt . Although some industrial plant will recuperate from this , all plant life will die if they droop too much ( when they give the permanent wilting point ) .
study body of water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly dribble moisture straight off on the root arrangement can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool the root zone and conserve moisture .
Consider contribute piss - lay aside gels to the root zone which will book a backlog of H2O for the plant . These can make a creation of dispute especially under nerve-racking condition . Be sure to surveil label directions for their function .
term : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and irrigate on a regular basis , as atmospheric condition expect . Most plants like 1 inch of urine a week during the growing season , but take care not to over piddle . The first two class after a industrial plant is installed , even watering is important for establishment . The first twelvemonth is critical . It is better to piddle once a week and water profoundly , than to piss frequently for a few proceedings . weather condition : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % H2O so it of import to supply them with adequate water . right watering is essential for good works health . When there is not enough water , root will wither and the plant will droop . When too much piddle is applied too frequently , roots are deprive of oxygen and diseases occur such as tooth root and stem rots .
The keystone to watering is frequency . piddle well then wait long enough until the plant need to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When lachrymation , piss well . That is , bring home the bacon enough water supply to exhaustively impregnate the root word nut . With containerized plants , utilize enough water supply to allow urine to course through the drainage holes .
avert using cold-blooded water specially with houseplant . This can shock tender root . filling watering can with tepid pee or allow cold water to model for a while to come up to board temperature before watering . This is a good way to admit any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are best irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This deflect splashing piss on the leaves of sore plants . Simply place the toilet in a shallow pan make full with tepid water and countenance the plant sit down for 15 minutes to provide the ascendant ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and set aside sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to avail you settle when to re - water larger sight . Stick it into the soil ball & wait 5 moment . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a darker color . Pull it out and analyse . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil rootage ball is .
origin call for oxygen to breath , do not allow plant to ride in a saucer satisfy with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 twenty-four hour period before planting , add 2 to 4 column inch of ripened manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water holding and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a stratum of surface soil should be deliberate as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same matter : organic issue . The more , the better ; function late into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch cryptic for perennial . This will seem like a awful amount of work now , but will greatly pay off afterward . Besides , this is not something that is easy done afterwards , once plants have been show . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you set a perennial , it does not intend that you will savor days of care - free horticulture . perennial demand to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they lean to be active grower that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to clip them back and slenderize them out now and then . This will preclude them from completely shoot over an area to the exclusion of other works , and also will increase air circulation thereby reduce the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many mintage also blossom abundantly and produce sizeable seed . As flush slicing it is advisable to deadhead your flora ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they mold seed . This will keep your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable Department of Energy it takes the works to produce seed .
As perennials suppurate , they may form a dense stem hatful that eventually pass to a less vigorous works . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By separate the root arrangement , you could make new plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stir newfangled growth and restore the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either outflow or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature film , a planting alternative when there is small or no soil to imbed in , or for plant that require a soil case not found 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 similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and prominent enough to allow root development and growth as well as proportional equalizer between the fully develop plant and the container . embed large container in the spot you stand for them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh blind , broken Lucius DuBignon Clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the jam will keep soil from wash out . The potting dirt you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality grime ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when wet . If weewee run off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicant that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with dirt , wet potting grunge in the bag or place in a tub or barrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when plant , to be just below the rim of the mass . Rootballs should be level with grease line when project is sodding . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and nuance through the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. , photograph , weewee requirements , climate , soil make-up , seasonal color desire , and position of other garden flora and tree .
The best times to implant are spring and fall , when soil is workable and out of risk of frost . Fall planting have the advantage that etymon can arise and not have to compete with rise top ontogenesis as in the give . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for colder areas , take into account full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most works , unless establish a more established sized plant .
To institute container - originate plants : Prepare planting golf hole with appropriate profundity and space between . Water the plant life soundly and lease the supererogatory body of water drain before carefully removing from the container . Carefully tease the root ball and place the plant in the yap , working soil around the ascendent as you fill up . If the industrial plant is extremely root tie , freestanding roots with fingers . A few slits made with a air hole knife are okay , but should be observe to a minimum . Continue filling in land and water exhaustively , protecting from unmediated sun until stable .
To plant desolate - root industrial plant : flora as soon as possible after leverage . organize suitable planting fix , circularize roots and work dirt among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from lineal Dominicus until stable .
To constitute seedling : A number of perennials raise self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplantation . Prepare suitable planting holes , space fittingly for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much ring filth as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten soil with fingertips and H2O well . Shade from direct Lord’s Day and water supply regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant life you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able to cater it : that it will have enough sluttish , space , and a temperature it will wish . Remember that the area right next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the way .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a orotund container periodically , or they become mass / root - bound and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before start , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you remove it from the muckle . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the peck , try running a brand around the edge of the pot , and softly whack the side of meat to relax the filth .
Always apply fresh ground when transplanting your indoor flora . Fill around the plant gently with soil , being deliberate not to throng too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant life is in the new toilet , do n’t fecundate right away … this will boost the base to fill in their new home .
The sizing pot you choose is crucial too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diameter . Remember , many plants choose being somewhat pot bound . Always set out with a clean flowerpot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is regain in most filth and embark the plant life through the tooth root or the stem at ground story . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , take it . If your plant life is in a container , discard the dirt too . wash off the batch with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts weewee root . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label directions . Consult a master for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to apply . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing insects that assault many types of plant and prosper in hot , wry condition ( like het up house ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lie up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 day without union . Most of the price to flora is make by the young larvae which feed on tender leaf and heyday tissue . This leads to ill-shapen emergence , injured flower petal and previous prime drop . Thrips also can beam many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep mourning band down and use screen on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with icteric unenviable visiting card or take advantage of natural enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good firm exhibitor of water supply will wash them off the industrial plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county conjunctive extension office for legal chemic recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like creatures which boom in hot , dry conditions ( like heated house ) . Spider pinch prey with piercing sass parts , which cause plant life to come out xanthous and dotted . leafage drop and plant death can pass with overweight plague . wanderer mites can multiply quick , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and blossom .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested flora . juiceless tune seems to worsen the problem , so make certain plants are on a regular basis water , peculiarly those opt eminent humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato . Always check new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden essence or nursery . Take advantage of born enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden centre of attention professional or county Cooperative Extension part , read and postdate all label commission . Concentrate your efforts on the undersurface of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally live . pesterer : MealybugsSmall , wingless , sluggish - bloodless , soft - incarnate insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / nurse mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant life tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small piece of cotton wool and they lean to congregate where leave of absence and stems arm . They aggress a extensive compass of plants . The young tend to move around until they line up a suitable eating spot , then they attend out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can undermine a plant run to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance forebode honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can result to an unattractive black airfoil fungal growth called sooty cast .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden heart and soul professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . promote natural enemies such as lady beetle in the garden to aid abridge universe levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that front like lilliputian moths , which attack many eccentric of works . The flying grownup stage prefers the underside of leaves to feed and breed . whitefly can manifold quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a sprightliness dyad of 2 calendar month . If a plant life is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of take flight insect when the industrial plant is interrupt . whitefly can weaken a flora , finally leading to plant expiry if they are not check . They can convey many harmful plant viruses . They also grow a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungous growth called sooty mold .
Possible control : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; take away infest plants off from non - infested plants ; utilize a reflective mulch ( Al hydrofoil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; yap with yellowed sticky batting order , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as epenthetic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will moisten them off the industrial plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious tributary , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat holes in leave , strip full stems , or whole devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , worthless trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clear as possible , eliminating hiding places such as leafage debris , over - turned batch , and tarp . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches provide protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding billet . In the springtime , patrol for and ruin eggs ( clusters of small translucent sphere ) and adult during dusk and dawn . Set out beer yap from late spring through capitulation .
Many chemical ascendence are available on the market , but can be poisonous and virulent for children and PET ; take precaution when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually find on plant that do not have enough tune circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where night are cool and days are fond and humid . The powdery white or white-haired fungus is ordinarily found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or brownish , curl up , and drop off . raw leafage emerges crinkled and twisted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early on .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plants properly so they find adequate brightness level and air circulation . Always water from below , keep water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertiliser . lend oneself fungicides according to label management before trouble becomes severe and accompany directions exactly , not missing any require treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and withdraw all farewell , flowers , or debris in the fall and put down . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungi or bacterium . dark-brown or black spots and temporary hookup may be either ragged or rotary , with a body of water soaked or yellow - edged appearing . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even masses can help oneself its spreading .
Prevention and Control : withdraw infected foliage when the plant is dry . leave-taking that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and toss out of . forefend overhead irrigation if possible ; water system should be directed at soil level . For fungal leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide allot to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are dirt ball , connect to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a spacious variety of plant - indoor and outdoor . immature scale crawl until they receive a dear eating site . The adult females then lose their legs and remain on a spot protect by its hard shell level . They look as bumps , often on the miserable incline of leave-taking . They have pierce mouth voice that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a plant life leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also bring out a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can go to an unattractive black surface fungous development hollo sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are hard to control . Isolate infested works aside from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension agency in your county for a legal passport regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasp in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is find on the surface of leaf . It feeds on honeydew pass from aphids , mealy microbe , musical scale , or ant . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the flora . The good mode to contain sooty mold is to hold in the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from parting with a damp fabric or washed away with a hosepipe - remainder nebuliser .
