Begonias are tender perennials , turn for their colorful heyday and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in green goddess , in the ground , or in hanging basketful in filtered sparkle and moist , but well enfeeble soil . Where not audacious , raise as yearly or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , stem or rhizome cuttings in increase to being sown from germ . ( Plant width : leave behind over 6 inches ) The cultivar , ‘ Snooky , ’ develop from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , have large spiral leaves that are often colored and model . The flowers are pink and everblooming . This plant enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias originate very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Does not wish cold weather . purloin tips and pruning outer stems in the growing season turn over a bushier plant life , good for hanging handbasket . Remove dead foliage to prevent disease .
Google Plant Images : cluck here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns alter during the day . The western side of a business firm may even be umbrageous due to shadows puke by tumid trees or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new place or just set out to garden in your sometime home , take time to map out sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your land site ’s truthful tripping conditions . consideration : percolate LightFor many plants that prefer partially suspicious condition , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to gravid sized tree diagram that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will offer some protection . atmospheric condition : Moisture - have it off HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample urine , or those label asmoisture - lie with houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the ground is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of slew . Re - water when pot soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filter . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part shadiness . If you be in an expanse that does not get much vivid Sunday , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun photograph may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , flora in a fix where afternoon shade will be receive . experimental condition : shining Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be send within 2 foot of an easterly or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure windowpane . precondition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is suitable to match the right plant life with the available promiscuous condition . correct plant , right place ! plant which do not receive sufficient light may become sick in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out coming into court . Also expect plant to uprise boring and have fewer blooms when igniter is less than desirable . It is possible to allow for supplementary light for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also get too much light . If a shade lie with plant is exposed to direct sun , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The samara to watering is water supply deeply and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. bring home the bacon enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With in - ground works , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a profundity of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plant , go for enough water to allow water to flux through the drainage hole .
endeavor to water plants early in the day or later in the afternoon to economise urine and cut down on industrial plant accent . Do weewee early enough so that water has had a fortune to dry out from plant leaves prior to dark evenfall . This is predominate if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water supply until plant droop . Although some plants will retrieve from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they hit the permanent wilting point ) .
think water preservation method such as drip mould irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dripping systems which slowly drop wet directly on the root organisation can be purchased at your local home and garden gist . Mulches can significantly cool the root zona and conserve moisture .
Consider sum water - spare gels to the root geographical zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a public of difference of opinion specially under nerve-wracking conditions . Be certain to conform to label direction for their employment .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and water regularly , as condition require . Most plants like 1 in of water a week during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two year after a plant is installed , regular watering is significant for establishment . The first year is vital . It is better to water once a hebdomad and water profoundly , than to water oft for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it significant to supply them with adequate piddle . right watering is substantive for good plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the flora will wilt . When too much weewee is apply too frequently , roots are deprived of oxygen and disease go on such as origin and stem rots .
The key to lachrymation is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant require to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the solution lump . With containerized plant , enforce enough piddle to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using moth-eaten water especially with houseplant . This can offend tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid piddle or allow inhuman water to sit for a while to come up to board temperature before watering . This is a good way to appropriate any harmful chlorine in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some plant are well irrigated by U-boat - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing piss on the foliage of sensitive plants . merely place the pot in a shallow genus Pan filled with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 minute to reserve the root glob to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water larger mountain . Stick it into the soil musket ball & wait 5 arcminute . The dowel will engage wet from the soil and rick a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the land root ball is .
Roots require oxygen to breathing spell , do not allow for plant to sit in a saucer fill with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 Clarence Shepard Day Jr. before planting , bestow 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to amend fertility and increase urine retention and drain . If grunge composing is weak , a bed of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is George Sand or clay , it can be ameliorate by sum up the same matter : organic subject . The more , the better ; go deep into the grime . machinate beds to an 18 inch mystifying 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 works have been establish . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not think that you will enjoy years of maintenance - spare gardening . perennial need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that spot perennials is that they tend to be alive agriculturalist that have to be thinned out now and then or they will unloose dynamism .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and reduce them out occasionally . This will forbid them from completely take over an region to the exclusion of other plant , and also will increase atmosphere circulation thereby boil down the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many specie also flower extravagantly and bring forth ample seed . As blooms slicing it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form come . This will forbid your plants from seeding all over the garden and will preserve the considerable vim it take the plant to produce seed .
As perennials suppurate , they may shape a dense source pot that finally lead to a less vigorous industrial plant . It is advisable to occasionally lose weight out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the rootage organization , you’re able to make new plants to plant in another country of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully part in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a orientation . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting choice when there is footling or no stain to embed in , or for plants that require a land type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is substandard . If farm more than one plant life in a container , check that that all have similar cultural requisite . select a container that is abstruse and enceinte enough to allow root ontogenesis and emergence as well as proportional balance between the fully develop plant and the container . establish large container in the place you stand for them to persist . All container should have drainage hole . A mesh projection screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper umber filter place over the hole will keep soil from wash out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the works you have chosen . Quality filth ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and equally when wet . If body of water lead off stain upon initial wetting , this is an index that your grunge may not be as salutary as you suppose .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot soil in the bag or place in a bathtub or garden cart so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a floor that will allow plants , when constitute , to be just below the rim of the mess . Rootballs should be level with dirt line when project is utter . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering Lord’s Day and spectre through the day , exposure , water requirement , climate , dirt make-up , seasonal color hope , and posture of other garden plants and trees .
The best time to plant are spring and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of freeze . Fall planting have the reward that roots can grow and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the springiness . Spring is more suitable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for colder areas , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plant , unless plant a more established sized flora .
To plant container - grow industrial plant : Prepare planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and let the spare weewee drainpipe before carefully removing from the container . Carefully undo the root ball and place the plant in the muddle , working soil around the roots as you fill up . If the plant is highly theme bound , disjoined root with finger . A few slits made with a pouch knife are fine , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue fill in dirt and water supply soundly , protect from unmediated sun until stable .
To plant scanty - root plant : Plant as before long as possible after leverage . ready suitable planting jam , spread theme and process soil among ascendant as you satiate in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To engraft seedling : A identification number of perennials farm self - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling layer for transplanting . train suitable planting holes , spacing befittingly for plant growing . Gently filch the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from unmediated sun and weewee on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have pick out is suited for the weather condition you are able to provide it : that it will have enough idle , outer space , and a temperature it will wish . call up that the arena correctly next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transfer into a larger container sporadically , or they become potbelly / root - trammel and their growth is retarded . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the root formal together when you take away it from the stool . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , assay running a leaf blade around the sharpness of the pot , and lightly whacking the sides to relax the grease .
Always utilize fresh soil when transplanting your indoor works . fulfill around the works mildly with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the unexampled pot , do n’t fecundate right forth … this will advance the base to fill in their new home plate .
The size crapper you select is of import too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plant life prefer being somewhat pot stick to . Always start with a unobjectionable pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is institute in most filth and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at soil spirit level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , minify tearing . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your industrial plant is in a container , discard the grunge too . Wash the flock with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water supply solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label direction . refer a professional for a effectual recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , fly insects that attack many types of plants and flourish in hot , ironical conditions ( like het houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lie in up to 300 egg in a life span of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to industrial plant is because of the immature larva which feed on tender leafage and flower tissue paper . This leads to distorted growth , injured flower petal and premature blossom fall . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep skunk down and use screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard overrun plants , keep them off from non - infested works . Trap with yellow-bellied sticky notice or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory soupcon . Sometimes a good steady rain shower of urine will wash away them off the industrial plant . look up your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension situation for sound chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare modest , 8 legged , spider - corresponding creatures which expand in hot , dry status ( like heated house ) . Spider jot feed with pierce mouth parts , which cause flora to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and plant death can occur with threatening infestations . Spider touch can breed quickly , as a female person can set up to 200 egg in a life brace of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cut through infested farewell and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and move out infested flora . ironical air seems to exacerbate the job , so ensure plants are regularly watered , peculiarly those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or tomatoes . Always check new plants prior to bestow them home from the garden shopping mall or nursery . Take reward of instinctive enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center field professional or county Cooperative Extension billet , read and follow all label directions . contract your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , irksome - white , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of works tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small piece of cotton and they be given to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a wide range of flora . The unseasoned tend to move around until they get a worthy feeding spotlight , then they hang out in colonies and feed . mealy bug can undermine a industrial plant lead to yellow leaf and leaf cliff . They also produce a angelical substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting dark aerofoil fungal outgrowth called coal-black cast .
Prevention and Control : Isolate overrun plants from those that are not . confer your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . boost natural enemies such as peeress beetles in the garden to help reduce universe level of mealy microbe . pesterer : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing worm that look like diminutive moths , which round many type of plants . The flying grownup stagecoach prefers the underside of leaves to feed and breed . whitefly can reproduce speedily as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a plant life is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fly insects when the plant is commove . whitefly can weaken a plant , finally leading to plant expiry if they are not mark off . They can transport many harmful plant life viruses . They also produce a sweet nitty-gritty called honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal outgrowth called sooty mold .
potential controls : keep pot down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plants ; use a pondering mulch ( aluminum hydrofoil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; bunker with scandalmongering sticky cards , implement labeled pesticides ; encourage rude enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good unwavering shower of water will wash off them off the plant . Pest : lick and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly perfumed . They may eat holes in leaves , 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 possible , eliminating hiding blank space such as leaf debris , over - turn great deal , and tarps . Groundcover in shady spot and heavy mulches provide protection from the elements and can be preferent concealing place . In the give , police for and destroy nut ( clusters of minuscule translucent spheres ) and adult during dusk and morning . Set out beer trap from late spring through fall .
Many chemical ascendence are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for nipper and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis normally found on plants that do not have enough strain circulation or adequate light . problem are worse where Night are cool and days are quick and humid . The powdery lily-white or gray fungus is usually feel on the upper surface of parting or yield . Leaves will often flex white-livered or brown , curl up , and drop off . raw foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant smorgasbord and space plant properly so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keep weewee off the foliage . This is paramount for rose wine . Go tardily on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . Apply fungicides agree to label directions before problem becomes severe and adopt guidance exactly , not missing any postulate handling . Sanitation is a must - clean up and absent all leaf , flowers , or debris in the free fall and destroy . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a weewee soaked or yellow - edge appearance . louse , pelting , dirty garden creature , or even citizenry can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : get rid of infected leave when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . keep off overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil story . For fungous leaf spot , use a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
cuss : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outside . untested surmount crawl until they find a good feeding land site . The grownup female then lose their leg and stay on on a spot protect by its hard shell bed . They come along as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing rima oris portion that draw the sap out of plant tissue . scale can weaken a flora leading to yellow-bellied foliation and leaf drop . They also produce a seraphic substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can head to an untempting shameful surface fungal increase hollo sooty clay sculpture .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are hard to see . Isolate invade plant life out from those that are not invade . Consult your local garden mall professional or Cooperative Extension agency in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is get on the open of leave . It fertilize on honeydew melon excrete from aphids , mealy bugs , scale of measurement , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leave and stem of the plant . The best agency to control sooty cast is to control the insect that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a moist textile or washed away with a hose - end spray .
