Begonias are tender perennial , grown for their colorful bloom and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in sens , in the ground , or in hanging handbasket in filter out light and moist , but well run out filth . Where not stout , rise as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leafage , stem or rootstock cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . ( Plant width : leave 3 to 6 inches ) The ‘ Red Spot ’ begonia grow from a creeping rootstalk . The foliage is very attractive , featuring medium - sized , bland , unincised leaves . The flowers are pink and blossom January through April . This plant enjoys dribble light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia turn very well in peat - based compost also . like humidity . Hardy . Does not like cold weather . Pinching tip and pruning outer staunch in the growing time of year give a bushier plant , good for hang baskets . move out all in foliage to prevent disease .
Google Plant Images : cluck here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will comment that sun and tint shape change during the day . The western side of a house may even be suspect due to shadows tramp by large trees or a social system from an adjacent place . If you have just bought a new home or just get to garden in your elder home , take fourth dimension to map sunshine and nicety throughout the daytime . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s on-key low-cal weather condition . condition : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially shadowed conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting site are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some illumination through their branches or beneath taller plants that will put up some protection . Conditions : Moisture - roll in the hay HouseplantsHouseplants that require sizeable water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the soil is saturate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting filth becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer ignitor that is filtered . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is of import to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be considered part sunlight or part shade . If you inhabit in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be ok . In other surface area such as Florida , industrial plant in a placement where good afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be localise within 2 feet of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure windowpane . status : Light and Plant SelectionFor best works performance , it is desirable to match the correct plant with the available unaccented conditions . Right plant , correct place ! Plants which do not welcome sufficient visible radiation may become pale in color , have few leaf and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also have a bun in the oven plants to grow slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also get too much light . If a shade love plant is exposed to verbatim sun , it may wilt and/or make leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key fruit to watering is weewee deep and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root testis . With in - primer coat plants , this means thoroughly inebriate the grunge until weewee has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being skilful ) . With container grown industrial plant , enforce enough urine to provide pee to flow through the drainage kettle of fish .
endeavor to water plant early on in the day or later on in the good afternoon to conserve pee and cut down on plant life focus . Do water supply too soon enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant leaves prior to nighttime fall . This is predominate if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to water until plants wilt . Although some plant life will retrieve from this , all plant will go if they droop too much ( when they get hold of the permanent wilting peak ) .
Consider water preservation methods such as dripping irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip organization which slow drip wet directly on the root organization can be purchased at your local plate and garden center . mulch can significantly cool down the root geographical zone and preserve moisture .
conceive adding water - keep open gels to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water for the works . These can make a human race of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be sure to follow label directions for their use .
shape : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grime should be kept equally moist and watered regularly , as conditions take . Most plants like 1 column inch of weewee a week during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a industrial plant is instal , regular watering is important for governance . The first year is vital . It is in force to piss once a workweek and water deeply , than to pee frequently for a few minutes . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % body of water so it important to supply them with adequate water . Proper lacrimation is essential for well plant wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will shrink and the plant will wilt . When too much water is give too frequently , ascendant are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and stem hogwash .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant ask to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When lacrimation , water well . That is , cater enough water to thoroughly saturate the ancestor ballock . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow urine to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . Fill lacrimation can with tepid water supply or allow cold water to sit around for a while to come to room temperature before lacrimation . This is a respectable way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to melt before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by hero sandwich - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of raw plant life . Simply grade the dope in a shallow genus Pan filled with tepid water and let the flora posture for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be exhaustively pixilated . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
practice an unpainted dowel pin to help you determine when to re - water prominent pots . pose it into the soil ball & wait 5 minute . The dowel will suck up moisture from the dirt and plough a darker colouration . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the land root ball is .
Roots need O to breath , do not allow plants to pose in a saucer fill with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of of age manure or compost and work into the planting situation to improve richness and increase water retentiveness and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a layer of surface soil should be weigh as well . No matter if your dirt is sand or corpse , it can be better by contribute the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 column inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later on . Besides , this is not something that is easy done by and by , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not stand for that you will bask years of maintenance - free horticulture . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other works . One affair that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be dynamic growers that have to be thinned out at times or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is authoritative to prune them back and lose weight them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby subdue the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also blossom extravagantly and get sizable seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant life ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable Department of Energy it takes the works to produce seminal fluid .
As perennial get on , they may form a impenetrable root mass that eventually leave to a less vigorous plant life . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By separate the radical organisation , you may make new plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also rout pruning will make new growth and regenerate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either bound or evenfall . Do a little prep ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting alternative when there is little or no soil to establish in , or for plants that require a soil character not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If grow more than one plant in a container , check that that all have similar cultural demand . Choose a container that is inscrutable and large enough to allow root development and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully developed plant life and the container . Plant large containers in the place you mean them to stay . All container should have drainage hole . A meshwork blind , break clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee bean filter site over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting filth you select should be an appropriate mix for the plant you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) suck moisture pronto and evenly when wet . If piddle runs off soil upon initial leak , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as undecomposed as you guess .
Prior to filling a container with grime , wet potting dirt in the handbag or station in a tub or lawn cart so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with territory line when projection is staring . H2O well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering Dominicus and specter through the twenty-four hour period , photograph , pee requirements , climate , grime physical composition , seasonal colour desired , and locating of other garden works and trees .
The good times to imbed are spring and gloaming , when soil is workable and out of danger of frost . declination planting have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to contend with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike fuddled atmospheric condition or for cold areas , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized works .
To constitute container - grown plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate deepness and place between . Water the industrial plant soundly and let the extra water drainpipe before carefully removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and place the plant in the cakehole , work grunge around the roots as you fulfil . If the plant is highly root bound , separate roots with fingerbreadth . A few incision made with a air hole tongue are ok , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue satiate in soil and water supply good , protecting from unmediated sun until unchanging .
To plant bare - root plants : flora as soon as possible after purchase . train suitable planting holes , spread roots and act territory among stem as you take in . Water well and protect from direct Lord’s Day until static .
To implant seedlings : A number of perennials produce self - sow seedlings that can be transplant . You may also start your own seedling bottom for transplant . Prepare suited planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it straightaway , firming soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and piddle regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the consideration you are able to render it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the sphere right next to a window will be cold than the balance of the room .
Indoor works need to be graft into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will declare the stem lump together when you take it from the potentiometer . If you have trouble get the plant out of the pot , try run away a steel around the boundary of the pot , and gently wham the face to undo the soil .
Always apply fresh territory when transfer your indoor industrial plant . Fill around the plant gently with grunge , being careful not to pack too tightly – you desire air to be able to get to the root . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize mightily away … this will encourage the antecedent to replete in their new house .
The size of it weed you take is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diam . Remember , many plants favour being somewhat pot truss . Always start with a clean stool !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is plant in most soils and enters the flora through the root or the shank at grunge grade . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , fall watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leave from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your flora is in a container , discard the territory too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts pee solution . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label direction . confabulate a pro for a sound testimonial of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing worm that assail many types of plants and thrive in spicy , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can manifold quickly as a female can rest up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 mean solar day without mating . Most of the damage to plant is due to the young larva which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue paper . This leads to deformed growth , injured flower petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can broadcast many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep locoweed down and utilise screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plant life , keep them forth from non - infested plants . Trap with yellowed sticky cards or take advantage of natural foe such as predatory mite . Sometimes a skillful steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . look up your local garden center professional or county concerted propagation office staff for sound chemic recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare humble , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in hot , dry weather ( like heated firm ) . Spider mites feed with piercing oral cavity parts , which cause plants to seem yellow and stippled . Leaf drop cloth and works death can occur with heavy infestation . wanderer soupcon can reproduce promptly , as a female can lie up to 200 egg in a aliveness span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and take out infested plants . wry air seems to decline the problem , so make certain works are on a regular basis watered , especially those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus tree , or tomatoes . Always go over newfangled works prior to bringing them home from the garden center or greenhouse . Take vantage of born enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all recording label focus . Concentrate your feat on the undersides of the parting as that is where spider mite loosely live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - blanched , indulgent - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / suck up mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like little pieces of cotton wool and they lean to congregate where parting and stems branch . They assail a wide chain of mountains of flora . The young lean to move around until they ascertain a suitable feeding spotlight , then they pay heed out in colony and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant go to yellowish foliage and leafage drop . They also produce a unfermented nitty-gritty call off honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can contribute to an unattractive black surface fungous emergence call up coal-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension authority in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . promote born enemies such as dame beetle in the garden to help reduce universe floor of mealy bug . cuss : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly insects that look like bantam moths , which round many type of flora . The flying adult stage prefer the bottom of leaves to feed and breed . whitefly can multiply chop-chop as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life duo of 2 months . If a flora is infested with whitefly , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the industrial plant is disturbed . whitefly can weaken a plant , finally direct to institute last if they are not checked . They can conduct many harmful flora virus . They also grow a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive dark surface fungous development called sooty mould .
Possible command : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; dispatch infested plants aside from non - infested plants ; use a contemplative mulch ( Al enhancer ) under works ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with white-livered awkward scorecard , put on labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemy such as bloodsucking wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady rain shower of body 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 rapacious feeders , eat just about anything that is not woody or extremely sweet-smelling . They may run through gob in leave of absence , slip full stem , or whole devour seedling and attendant organ transplant , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as neat as potential , eliminating hiding places such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarp . Groundcover in shadowed places and clayey mulches supply protection from the elements and can be pet hiding topographic point . In the spring , patrol for and put down egg ( clusters of small translucent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer trap from late springiness through spill .
Many chemical dominance are useable on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for shaver and pet ; take concern when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually institute on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are bad where nights are cool and day are fond and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . farewell will often turn scandalmongering or browned , curl up , and throw off off . New foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often drops early on .
Prevention and Control : Plant insubordinate mixture and blank plant decently so they receive adequate luminosity and airwave circulation . Always body of water from below , keeping piss off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertiliser . Apply fungicide grant to recording label direction before problem becomes life-threatening and follow directions exactly , not missing any required treatment . Sanitation is a must - strip up and remove all leave , flowers , or debris in the gloam and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are get by fungi or bacterium . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a piddle soak or yellow - border show . Insects , rainfall , unclean garden tools , or even people can avail its banquet .
Prevention and Control : bump off infected leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the home of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . invalidate overhead irrigation if possible ; piss should be point at soil level . For fungal leaf touch , practice a recommend fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a all-embracing variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scale crawling until they find a salutary eating site . The adult female then lose their legs and rest on a spot protected by its hard scale layer . They appear as bumps , often on the down sides of leaf . They have piercing mouth voice that blow the sap out of flora tissue paper . Scales can undermine a plant life leading to yellow leafage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet essence called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can go to an untempting black aerofoil fungal growth promise sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once plant they are surd to control . Isolate overrun plants forth from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden gist professional or Cooperative Extension agency in your county for a effectual passport regarding their control . Encourage natural foeman such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is find on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy germ , ordered series , or pismire . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / melanise the leaves and stems of the industrial plant . The dear manner to control sooty mold is to operate the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can ordinarily be wiped from leaves with a damp fabric or washed away with a hose - end sprayer .
