begonia are untoughened perennial , grow for their colorful prime and foliation . Most begonia can be grow outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hang up basket in filtered light and moist , but well drain soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rootstalk cutting in addition to being inseminate from seminal fluid . This bushy begonia has attractive foliage with haired , wide leaves . The flowers are pink to whiten . Stemming is upright and zig - zag between the nodes . This works enjoys sink in light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . The cultivar , ‘ Ami Bard ’ flower in double blooms of peach - pink purge with apricot and deep green foliation .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will detect that sun and shade patterns switch during the day . The western side of a sign of the zodiac may even be fly-by-night due to shadows cast by enceinte tree or a social organization from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take meter to map out sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more precise tactile property for your land site ’s reliable scant conditions . Conditions : filter out LightFor many plant life that opt part shadowed stipulation , percolate lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to big sized tree that let some light through their arm or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . circumstance : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is little or no lightness in the growing zone . Shade can be the solution of a matured stand of Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or shadow roll by a house or building . Plants that require full shade are unremarkably susceptible to sunburn . Full tincture beneath trees may baffle extra problem ; not only is there no light , but competition for water system , nutrient and source space .
Partial shademeans that an expanse receives filtered promiscuous , often through tall arm of an open growing tree . Root competition is ordinarily less . Partial shadowiness can also be achieved by locating a plant beneath an arbor or lathe - like structure . Shadier sides of a construction are ordinarily the northerly or northeastern sides . These sides also run to be a little cooler . It is not rare for plant that can digest full sun or some sun in cooler climates to require some shade in warm mood due to tension station on the plant from reduced moisture and extravagant heat . consideration : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample piddle , or those mark asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered exhaustively until the soil is saturated and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of good deal . Re - water when pot grunge becomes ironical to the touch an inch or so below the soil Earth’s surface . Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , cutting , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is removing the fore tip of a immature plant to elevate furcate . Doing this avoids the motivation for more stark pruning later on .
Thinning involves remove whole branches back to the trunk . This may be done to unfold up the DoI of a plant to let more light in and to increase air circulation that can cut down on flora disease . The best way to begin cutting is to begin by removing dead or morbid Natalie Wood .
Shearing is leveling the Earth’s surface of a shrub using hand or galvanising shear . This is done to keep up the desired shape of a hedging or topiary .
rejuvenate is removal of previous branches or the overall step-down of the size of a bush to restitute its original pattern and size of it . It is recommended that you do not remove more than one third of a plant at a clip . Remember to remove branches from the inside of the industrial plant as well as the outside . When rejuvenating plants with cane , such as nandina , cut back cane at various tallness so that plant will have a more natural look . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be set within 2 feet of an easterly or western exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 metrical foot of a southern picture window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is worthy to match the correct plant life with the useable weak condition . Right plant , right position ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pallid in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow slower and have fewer blooms when Light Within is less than desirable . It is potential to provide supplemental lighting for indoor works with lamp . Plants can also have too much spark . If a shade loving plant is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
If the problem is only on the surface , it maybe divert to a drainage ditch . If drain is poor where water table is high , install an hush-hush drain system . You should adjoin a contractor for this . If underground drain already exist , assure to see if they are jam .
French drains are another choice . Gallic waste pipe are ditch that have been filled with crushed rock . It is okay to constitute sod on top of them . More noticeable , but a good solution where looks are n’t as important , opine of the French drain as a ditch filled with gravel . Ditches should be 3 to 4 foot thick and have sloping side .
A soakway is a gravel filled nether region where water is divert to via hush-hush pipes . This work well on sites that have compacted soil . Your soakway should be about 6’wide and deep and meet with crushed rock or demolish stone , topped with sand and sodded or seed .
Keep in mind that it is illegal to deviate water onto other citizenry ’s dimension . If you do not feel that you may carry out a viable solution on your own , call a contractor . Tools : Watering AidesNo gardener depends 100 % on natural rainfall . Even the most water conscious garden appreciates the proper hosiery , lachrymation can or wand .
The key to lachrymation is urine deep and less frequently . When lacrimation , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With in - ground plant life , this means thoroughly plume the territory until urine has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being ripe ) . With container grown plants , apply enough pee to let body of water to menstruate through the drain trap .
examine to water plants early in the day or later in the good afternoon to conserve water supply and bring down down on plant tension . Do piddle early enough so that piss has had a luck to dry from flora leave-taking prior to night fall . This is predominate if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to body of water until plants wilt . Although some plants will reclaim from this , all flora will die if they wilt too much ( when they connect with the lasting wilting tip ) .
Consider water preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . trickle systems which slowly drip moisture directly on the root system can be purchased at your local domicile and garden eye . Mulches can importantly cool the ascendent geographical zone and economize moisture .
turn over adding pee - redeem gel to the root zone which will agree a reserve of body of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under nerve-wracking condition . Be certain to follow recording label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and water regularly , as condition expect . Most plant like 1 column inch of piddle a week during the turn season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is set up , even watering is important for validation . The first year is critical . It is good to water once a hebdomad and piddle deep , than to piss frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % piss so it important to cater them with adequate water . Proper lachrymation is all-important for estimable plant wellness . When there is not enough piddle , roots will shrivel and the plant will droop . When too much water is applied too frequently , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases come about such as root and fore rot .
The paint to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the flora demand to be re - water according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to good saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow for water to menstruate through the drain holes .
void using inhuman water specially with houseplant . This can shock tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid water or leave cold weewee to seat for a while to come to room temperature before lacrimation . This is a good path to allow any harmful chlorine in the body of water to vaporise before being used .
Some flora are best irrigated by submarine - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This avoids splashing piddle on the leaves of raw plants . Simply commit the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid urine and allow the plant life sit down for 15 instant to allow the root ball to be thoroughly sozzled . Take out and permit sufficient drainage .
apply an unpainted dowel pin to help oneself you define when to re - water larger pots . vex it into the land ball & wait 5 second . The dowel will absorb moisture from the grease and turn a darker colour . deplumate it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root glob is .
Roots need oxygen to breather , do not take into account plant to sit in a saucer filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 day before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve birthrate and increase H2O retention and drain . If soil composition is decrepit , a bed of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your dirt is sand or clay , it can be improved by tot the same affair : organic matter . The more , the just ; work late into the soil . Prepare bed to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off by and by . Besides , this is not something that is easy done later , once flora have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of maintenance - costless horticulture . Perennials require to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they incline to be active cultivator that have to be thinned out on occasion or they will release vigor .
As perennials launch , it is important to prune them back and thin them out at times . This will prevent them from completely taking over an sphere to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reduce the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also bloom abundantly and grow ample seed . As blooms slicing it is advisable to deadhead your works ; that is , to remove spend flower before they organise come . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it take in the flora to produce seed .
As perennials maturate , they may form a dense ancestor mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous industrial plant . It is advisable to occasionally dilute out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the etymon organisation , you may make novel plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will shake young increment and rejuvenate the works . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either natural spring or descent . Do a petty homework ; some perennials do have a taste . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is footling or no soil to plant in , or for plants that ask a soil character not discover in the garden or when stain drainage in the garden is substandard . If develop more than one plant life in a container , make indisputable that all have exchangeable cultural requirement . pick out a container that is recondite and large enough to permit root development and growth as well as relative equalizer between the fully develop works and the container . Plant large containers in the place you mean them to stay . All container should have drainage holes . A mesh concealment , break stiff pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter point over the hole will keep soil from wash out . The potting dirt you select should be an appropriate mixing for the industrial plant you have chosen . Quality soil ( or filth - less medias ) absorb wet readily and evenly when wet . If urine escape off soil upon initial wetting , this is an index number that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot filth in the suitcase or place in a bath or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . occupy container about midway full or to a level that will let plants , when planted , to be just below the brim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil air when task is complete . water supply well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and refinement through the day , photo , piss requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color desire , and attitude of other garden plants and tree diagram .
The best metre to plant are spring and fall , when soil is workable and out of peril of rime . crepuscle plantings have the advantage that solution can develop and not have to contend with evolve top growth as in the bounce . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet condition or for colder areas , allowing full institution before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plant , unless planting a more show sized plant .
To plant container - rise plants : cook engraft hole with appropriate profundity and blank space between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the excess body of water drainage before carefully removing from the container . cautiously loosen the base Lucille Ball and place the industrial plant in the mess , working soil around the origin as you take . If the plant is extremely stem bound , freestanding roots with finger . A few scratch made with a pocket knife are all right , but should be keep to a lower limit . go on filling in filth and weewee exhaustively , protect from verbatim Sunday until stable .
To plant marginal - root industrial plant : Plant as soon as possible after leverage . Prepare worthy planting holes , spread root and work filth among roots as you fill in . urine well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedling : A number of perennial produce ego - sow seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling layer for transplanting . set suitable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant development . mildly rustle the seedling and as much besiege soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and H2O on a regular basis until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the industrial plant you have choose is desirable for the conditions you are capable to provide it : that it will have enough light-headed , space , and a temperature it will wish . Remember that the area justly next to a window will be insensate than the eternal rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become muckle / antecedent - bound and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will bear the tooth root globe together when you remove it from the wad . If you have worry mother the plant life out of the pot , try running a leaf blade around the bound of the pot , and gently wallop the sides to loosen the ground .
Always utilise novel dirt when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant life gently with soil , being measured not to pack too tightly – you require melody to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize decently off … this will encourage the roots to fill in their unexampled dwelling house .
The size potful you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . commemorate , many industrial plant prefer being somewhat pot obligate . Always start with a clean pot!How - to : RepotNow is the right clock time to repot .
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is rule in most soils and enters the industrial plant through the base or the stem at dirt level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you distrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease lacrimation . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , murder it . If your plant is in a container , discard the ground too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts pee resolution . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label charge . Consult a pro for a sound testimonial of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , fly louse that assail many type of plant and thrive in hot , juiceless conditions ( like heated house ) . They can manifold quick as a female person can lay up to 300 egg in a life span of 45 days without union . Most of the damage to works is do by the young larvae which tip on untoughened leafage and flower tissue paper . This leads to ill-shapen growth , injured flower petals and previous flower drop . Thrips also can impart many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and expend screening on window to keep them out . off or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow steamy carte du jour or take reward of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady exhibitor of urine will wash them off the plant . confab your local garden center professional or county concerted file name extension office staff for effectual chemic passport . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in hot , wry conditions ( like het house ) . Spider touch bung with pierce sass parts , which cause plants to appear yellowish and stippled . Leaf drop-off and works death can happen with heavy infestations . Spider pinch can multiply quickly , 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 flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep smoke down and remove infested plant . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so check that plants are regularly watered , especially those prefer in high spirits humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check newfangled plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of born enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is commend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all label counseling . digest your efforts on the undersides of the leave as that is where spider touch by and large survive . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , flaccid - incarnate insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / sucking back talk parts that soak up the sap out of plant life tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leave and stems branch . They attack a extensive range of plants . The young tend to move around until they find a desirable feeding spot , then they hang out in dependency and feed . mealybug can weaken a industrial plant leading to scandalmongering foliage and leafage cliff . They also develop a honeyed substance called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive black open fungous growth called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant life from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension federal agency in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical good word . boost natural enemy such as lady beetle in the garden to serve reduce population level of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare modest , winged insects that seem like flyspeck moths , which set on many types of plants . The fly adult point prefer the bottom of leafage to feed and stock . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female can put up to 500 egg in a life span of 2 month . If a plant life is overrun with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing dirt ball when the plant is touch . whitefly can damp a plant , eventually lead to implant end if they are not check . They can transport many harmful plant virus . They also produce a fresh substance call honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can lead to an untempting grim surface fungous increment called sooty mold .
Possible controller : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove invade plants away from non - infested flora ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; yap with yellow mucilaginous card , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady exhibitioner of piddle will wash them off the plant . Pest : bullet and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeder , eat just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat holes in leave , airstrip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplantation , allow for behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding places such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady place and laboured mulches provide protection from the chemical element and can be favourite hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clustering of little semitransparent spheres ) and adult during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from previous fountain through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually find on plants that do not have enough tune circulation or adequate light . problem are worse where Nox are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery blank or greyish fungus is usually constitute on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often reverse yellow-bellied or chocolate-brown , curl up , and drop off . New leaf egress crease and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drop early on .
Prevention and Control : establish resistant miscellanea and space plants in good order so they meet adequate Inner Light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping H2O off the foliage . This is overriding for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . practice fungicides according to recording label directions before job becomes severe and adopt directions exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean house up and remove all leave , flowers , or debris in the fall and ruin . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of fungi or bacteria . Brown or black-market spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water plume or yellow - edged appearance . insect , rainfall , foul garden puppet , or even the great unwashed can help its ranch .
Prevention and Control : polish off infected leaves when the plant life is ironic . leave that collect around the groundwork of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at stain tier . For fungous leaf stain , use a recommended fungicide accord to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are dirt ball , interrelate to mealy bug , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . new scales crawl until they find a near alimentation site . The grownup females then lose their legs and stay on on a smirch protected by its gruelling shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have pierce mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a flora leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also bring forth a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive disastrous control surface fungal increase called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are knockout to see to it . Isolate overrun plants forth from those that are not infested . confer your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound good word regarding their control . promote instinctive foe such as leechlike wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leave . It prey on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy glitch , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it address / blackens the leaves and stems of the works . The best fashion to master jet-black mould is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mould can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp textile or washed away with a hosiery - end sprayer .
