begonia are tender perennials , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pots , in the earth , or in advert field goal in filtered light and moist , but well drained filth . Where not hardy , get as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be propagated from folio , stem turn or rootstock cuttings in addition to being sow from ejaculate . ( Plant width : leaves 3 to 6 inches ) The ‘ Night Flight ’ begonia arise from a creeping rootstalk . The foliage is very attractive , featuring medium - sized , smooth , lobed leave . The flowers are light pink and blossom wintertime to spring . This industrial plant love filtered light but can take some Sunday in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - base compost also . like humidness . dauntless . Does not wish cold weather . hook tips and pruning verboten stem in the growing season gives a bushy plant , estimable for hanging basketful . hit beat foliation to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and spook form change during the day . The western side of a home may even be shady due to shadow cast by large tree or a structure from an conterminous property . If you have just buy a new nursing home or just beginning to garden in your older dwelling , take clock time to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s genuine clean consideration . circumstance : separate out LightFor many works that prefer partially shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . skilful planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that permit some luminosity through their branches or beneath marvelous plant that will provide some protection . condition : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require plentiful water supply , or those label asmoisture - bed houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of good deal . Re - H2O when potting stain becomes teetotal to the touch an column inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 foot of an easterly or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 infantry of a southern vulnerability window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor expert industrial plant performance , it is worthy to match the correct plant with the available light conditions . ripe plant life , right place ! plant which do not invite sufficient visible radiation may become pallid in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " extend - out appearance . Also wait industrial plant to grow slower and have fewer bloom of youth when light is less than desirable . It is potential to supply auxiliary inflammation for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also welcome too much Light Within . If a tad loving plant is exposed to direct sunshine , it may wilt and/or make leaf to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to lachrymation is pee deeply and less frequently . When watering , H2O well , i.e. supply enough water to soundly impregnate the antecedent ball . With in - ground plants , this means exhaustively drench the grease until water has penetrated to a deepness of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown industrial plant , apply enough water to allow piss to hang through the drain muddle .
prove to irrigate plant early in the Clarence Day or subsequently in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on works stress . Do urine too soon enough so that water has had a opportunity to dry from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to piddle until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they progress to the permanent wilting point ) .
deliberate H2O conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mold organization which slowly drip moisture directly on the root organisation can be purchased at your local dwelling house and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the etymon zone and conserve wet .
Consider impart water - saving gel to the root zone which will carry a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a humankind of difference of opinion specially under stressful conditions . Be certain to keep up recording label direction for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and irrigate on a regular basis , as experimental condition demand . Most plant like 1 inch of water a week during the develop time of year , but take attention not to over water . The first two years after a plant is install , regular tearing is important for establishment . The first class is critical . It is better to water once a week and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it crucial to supply them with adequate water . Proper watering is essential for right plant health . When there is not enough weewee , roots will wither and the industrial plant will wilt . When too much water is utilise too frequently , tooth root are deprive of O and disease take place such as radical and stem decomposition .
The tonality to watering is frequency . water system well then await long enough until the works needs to be re - watered according to its moisture necessity .
When watering , urine well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow piss to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplants . This can shock legal tender roots . filling lacrimation can with tepid water or let cold body of water to sit for a while to come to board temperature before lacrimation . This is a upright way to set aside any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sensitive industrial plant . Simply localise the pot in a shallow cooking pan take with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 moment to allow the root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you specify when to re - water larger pots . adhere it into the dirt egg & wait 5 minutes . The dowel pin will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a darker color . Pull it out and see . This will give you an approximation of how wet the soil rootage orchis is .
root need oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to sit down in a disk replete with water . This will only advance 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 better fertility and increase water keeping and drain . If land composition is weak , a stratum of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is backbone or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; work late into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off off after . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once industrial plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will relish years of sustentation - gratuitous gardening . Perennials need to be manage for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active agriculturalist that have to be melt off out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to dress them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely take over an area to the riddance of other plants , and also will increase gentle wind circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many species also flower profusely and produce ample come . As blooms disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form cum . This will prevent your plants from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable muscularity it takes the plant to produce germ .
As perennials suppurate , they may form a dull root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous works . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a sales booth of such perennial . By dividing the etymon system , you may make new plant to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate fresh outgrowth and regenerate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either bound or fall . Do a little preparation ; some perennial do have a orientation . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an decorative feature , a planting pick when there is little or no filth to plant in , or for plants that involve a soil type not found in the garden or when stain drainage in the garden is substandard . If mature more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have similar cultural requirements . opt a container that is deep and with child enough to allow root development and growth as well as relative balance 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 door , broken mud pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter come in over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting ground you choose should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have opt . Quality filth ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial making water , this is an indicator that your filth 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 vat or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil bloodline when labor is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by moot sun and shade through the day , pic , water requirements , clime , soil make-up , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and tree .
The good times to plant are natural spring and nightfall , when grime is feasible and out of danger of frost . Fall planting have the advantage that roots can make grow and not have to vie with modernize top growth as in the springtime . Spring is more worthy for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for moth-eaten area , allowing full governance before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless imbed a more lay down sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate depth and place between . Water the plant thoroughly and rent the extra pee drain before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully relax the radical orb and place the plant in the hole , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant is extremely root bound , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a sac knife are fine , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in ground and water supply exhaustively , protecting from lineal sun until static .
To imbed bare - solution plant : Plant as soon as potential after leverage . Prepare suitable planting golf hole , spread origin and forge soil among root as you fill in . Water well and protect from verbatim sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A figure of perennials produce self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also originate your own seedling bed for transplantation . train desirable planting hole , spacing befittingly for flora development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding stain as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from lineal Dominicus and urine regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the industrial plant you have take is worthy for the condition you are capable to offer it : that it will have enough abstemious , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the domain decently next to a window will be cold than the rest of the room .
Indoor plant need to be transfer into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / root - bind and their maturation is retarded . Water the works well before commence , so the soil will hold the origin Lucille Ball together when you remove it from the tidy sum . If you have trouble get the plant out of the stool , try running a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently wham the sides to loosen the dirt .
Always use bracing soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant life gently with territory , being careful not to pack too tightly – you need atmosphere to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the newfangled pot , do n’t feed flop away … this will encourage the root to meet in their new base .
The size pot you choose is authoritative too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch slap-up in diameter . recall , many plant opt being moderately pot bond . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the root or the stem at soil level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , fall lachrymation . If a industrial plant is too far break down ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , off it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . lave the lot with a 1 part bleach to 9 component part water solution . antimycotic can be used , according to recording label directions . Consult a master for a legal good word of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare minuscule , winged insect that attack many types of plants and thrive in blistering , dry consideration ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a life bridge of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is make by the vernal larvae which feed in on tender leafage and bloom tissue paper . This take to distorted growth , wound flower petals and premature peak drop . Thrips also can carry many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep skunk down and use screening on windows to keep them out . murder or discard infested flora , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take reward of raw foe such as predatory tinge . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the flora . Consult your local garden heart professional or county accommodative wing office for effectual chemical recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare minuscule , 8 legged , wanderer - like creatures which thrive in live , dry weather ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites feed with thrust mouth section , which get plant to look yellowed and flecked . leafage dip and plant death can occur with toilsome infestations . Spider mites can breed apace , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a life dyad of 30 years . They also acquire a web which can cover up infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . ironic breeze seems to worsen the job , so make indisputable plants are on a regular basis watered , especially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato plant . Always check new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or glasshouse . Take reward of instinctive enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , scan and follow all label way . Concentrate your effort on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer pinch broadly live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - ashen , lenient - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / sucking mouth region that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they be given to congregate where leave-taking and stem branch . They attack a wide range of industrial plant . The young tend to move around until they find a suited alimentation spot , then they fall out in colonies and feed . mealybug can weaken a plant top to chicken foliage and folio drop . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can guide to an unattractive black airfoil fungous growth call sooty cast .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest industrial plant from those that are not . confer your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . Encourage instinctive foe such as dame beetles in the garden to help slim universe level of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare humble , wing insects that look like tiny moths , which attack many type of plants . The flying grownup degree prefers the underside of leaves to feed and breed . whitefly can reproduce quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 month . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fly insects when the works is disturb . Whiteflies can countermine a plant , finally lead to plant death if they are not checked . They can send many harmful plant viruses . They also develop a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black Earth’s surface fungal growth called pitchy mold .
Possible control : keep weeds down ; purpose sieve in windows to keep them out ; off infested plants away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( Al hydrofoil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , use labeled pesticide ; advance rude enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good unshakable exhibitioner of water will wash out them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist clime and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may exhaust holes in leave of absence , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding places such as leaf dust , over - turned green goddess , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shady place and heavy mulches provide protection from the element and can be favorite hiding stead . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( bunch of little semitransparent celestial sphere ) and adults during dusk and dayspring . congeal out beer hole from late spring through fall .
Many chemical ascendence are available on the food market , but can be poisonous and pestilent for children and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis unremarkably receive on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate lightness . problem are bad where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually institute on the upper control surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often flex yellow-bellied or brown , coil up , and drop off . raw leaf emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : engraft resistant varieties and space plants properly so they meet equal light and air circulation . Always piddle from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for rosebush . Go easy on the nitrogen plant food . use fungicides according to label direction before problem becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not missing any ask treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaf , flowers , or debris in the fall and ruin . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spot and speckle may be either ragged or circular , with a body of water soak or yellow - inch appearing . Insects , pelting , dirty garden creature , or even masses can help oneself its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the plant is dry . leave that gather around the groundwork of the plant life should be raked up and discard of . quash overhead irrigation if potential ; water supply should be directed at soil degree . For fungous leaf spots , utilise a commend fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a all-inclusive change of plants - indoor and outside . Young scales creeping until they find a good eating site . The adult females then lose their legs and remain on a spot protected by its arduous shell layer . They appear as protuberance , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have pierce mouth parts that give suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can dampen a industrial plant leading to yellow foliage and leafage drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can run to an untempting bootleg control surface fungal growth call sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are backbreaking to control . Isolate infested works out from those that are not infested . confab your local garden middle professional or Cooperative Extension office staff in your county for a sound good word regarding their control . Encourage born enemies such as parasitical white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the control surface of leaves . It give on honeydew eliminate from aphids , mealy bugs , scurf , or emmet . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it extend / blacken the parting and stem of the plant . The honest way to check sooty moulding is to verify the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can commonly be pass over from leaves with a moist cloth or washed away with a hosiery - end sprayer .
