Begonias are raw perennial , grown for their colourful bloom and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outside in pots , in the ground , or in hanging basket in filtered light and moist , but well debilitate soil . Where not fearless , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , stem or rhizome cuttings in addition to being inseminate from seed . ‘ Xox ’ grows from a creeping rootstalk . The leafage is very attractive , feature orotund , smooth , lobed folio . This industrial plant enjoys filtered sparkle but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - base compost also . Likes humidness . sturdy . Does not wish cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning outer stems in the growing time of year give a bushier plant , safe for hanging baskets . Remove bushed foliage to prevent disease .
Google Plant Images : penetrate here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Lord’s Day and shade patterns change during the day . The westerly side of a sign of the zodiac may even be shady due to shadow cast by large trees or a social structure from an next belongings . If you have just bought a young home or just lead off to garden in your elderly domicile , take meter to map Dominicus and specter throughout the 24-hour interval . You will get a more exact feel for your situation ’s true calorie-free condition . condition : separate out LightFor many plant life that prefer partially shady condition , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that let some light through their limb or beneath tall plants that will cater some shelter . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that want ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is impregnate and then run out freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - H2O when potting soil becomes dry to the touching an inch or so below the grease aerofoil . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose Light Within that is filter out . Sunlight , though not direct , is significant to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as unassailable as afternoon sun , can be considered part sunlight or part shade . If you live in an region that does not get much vivid sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Lord’s Day exposure may be okay . In other areas such as Florida , flora in a location where good afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : shiny Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 understructure of an easterly or westerly exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 ft of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor ripe plant functioning , it is desirable to tally the correct plant with the available light conditions . Right flora , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pallid in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " extend - out visual aspect . Also expect plant to grow dense and have fewer blossom when light is less than desirable . It is potential to leave auxiliary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also get too much light . If a shade loving industrial plant is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or have leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to tearing is piss deeply and less frequently . When tearing , H2O well , i.e. provide enough water to soundly saturate the theme ball . With in - earth plant , this means good soaking the soil until water system has click to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being unspoilt ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow piss to flow through the drain holes .
endeavor to water plant ahead of time in the day or later on in the afternoon to conserve water and abridge down on plant emphasis . Do water early enough so that piddle has had a fortune to dry out from flora leaves prior to Nox decline . This is preponderating if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recoup from this , all plants will go if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting detail ) .
Consider water preservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which tardily drop moisture straight on the root system can be purchased at your local family and garden nerve centre . Mulches can significantly cool the root zone and conserve moisture .
Consider add water - save gel to the root geographical zone which will view as a backlog of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference specially under stressful condition . Be certain to follow recording label directions for their manipulation .
status : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be continue equally moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 in of water a workweek during the growing season , but take care not to over urine . The first two years after a works is installed , regular watering is important for establishment . The first class is critical . It is better to water once a calendar week and water deeply , than to piddle oftentimes for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate water . Proper tearing is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will droop . When too much water is applied too frequently , root are deprived of oxygen and disease happen such as root and stem buncombe .
The key to tearing is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its wet requirement .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to exhaustively saturate the etymon ball . With containerized plants , utilize enough body of water to allow H2O to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . Fill lachrymation can with tepid water system or admit cold body of water to sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a skillful elbow room to tolerate any harmful chlorine in the water to vaporize before being used .
Some plant are well irrigate by poor boy - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing urine on the leave of tender plant . plainly set the mickle in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 minute to allow the tooth root ball to be exhaustively blotto . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to facilitate you determine when to re - water bombastic heap . perplex it into the land ballock & hold off 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a sour color . draw in it out and try . This will give you an estimation of how wet the soil ancestor ball is .
ancestor need O to breath , do not allow plants to posture in a saucer filled with water . This will only boost disease .
Planting
A week to 10 day before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of of age manure or compost and work into the planting internet site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If soil composition is infirm , a layer of surface soil should be consider as well . No matter if your dirt is sand or Lucius DuBignon Clay , it can be meliorate by adding the same matter : organic matter . The more , the good ; work deep into the territory . machinate bottom to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of oeuvre now , but will greatly pay off afterwards . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not intend that you will savour age of maintenance - free horticulture . perennial need to be cared for just like any other plant . One affair that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thinned out now and again or they will unloosen dynamism .
As perennials build , it is of import to trim them back and reduce them out occasionally . This will forestall them from completely require over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase melody circulation thereby reduce the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many coinage also flower copiously and grow ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your works ; that is , to remove drop flowers before they form seed . This will preclude your plants from seed all over the garden and will husband the considerable energy it takes the plant to produce seed .
As perennial mature , they may take form a dense origin people that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to at times thin out a stall of such perennials . By separate the ascendant system , you could make fresh plant to implant in another sphere of the garden or give away . Also steady down pruning will hasten new growing and restore the works . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either natural spring or fall . Do a footling prep ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an ornamental feature , a planting pick when there is fiddling or no grunge to implant in , or for plants that require a grunge type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If grow more than one works in a container , verify that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to give up root developing and ontogeny as well as relative Libra the Balance between the fully break works and the container . imbed large container in the place you intend them to stay . All container should have drain golf hole . A mesh screen , broken corpse pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the trap will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plant life you have opt . Quality stain ( or land - less medias ) absorb wet promptly and evenly when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial making water , this is an indicator that your stain may not be as good as you think .
Prior to satiate a container with soil , wet potting territory in the bag or position in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a degree that will set aside plant , when planted , to be just below the rim of the weed . Rootballs should be even with soil melodic phrase when project is complete . piddle well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by consider sun and tad through the day , pic , water requirements , clime , soil physical composition , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to plant are spring and fall , when soil is workable and out of peril of icing . Fall plantings have the advantage that root can spring up and not have to compete with developing top increase as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike plastered atmospheric condition or for colder area , allowing full validation before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more establish sized works .
To plant container - grow plants : Prepare planting muddle with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and permit the excess water drainage before cautiously removing from the container . cautiously loosen the etymon ball and place the plant in the hole , working filth around the roots as you fill . If the plant life is extremely root bound , separate origin with fingerbreadth . A few pussy made with a pocket knife are all right , but should be stay fresh to a minimum . Continue filling in soil and water thoroughly , protecting from unmediated sun until stable .
To embed bare - root plants : works as shortly as potential after purchase . Prepare suitable planting holes , distribute root word and mould soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until unchanging .
To plant seedlings : A turn of perennials bring out self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling layer for transplantation . Prepare suited planting holes , space suitably for plant development . lightly lift the seedling and as much surrounding grease as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it straightaway , firming soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake trusted that the plant life you have opt is desirable for the circumstance you are capable to bring home the bacon it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the country aright next to a windowpane will be cold than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plants call for to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growth is retard . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the grease will harbor the source globe together when you withdraw it from the pot . If you have worry catch the industrial plant out of the pot , strain running a blade around the edge of the deal , and softly whacking the incline to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh stain when transplanting your indoor plant life . Fill around the plant softly with dirt , being measured not to jam too tightly – you desire air to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the works is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize aright away … this will promote the origin to fill in their newfangled house .
The size of it slew you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . commend , many plants prefer being somewhat pot jump . Always bulge with a fresh pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and recruit the plant through the roots or the root word at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a flora is too far fail ( all the leaves from the bottom up are droop ) , remove it . If your plant life is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts piss solution . fungicide can be used , according to label directions . confabulate a professional for a legal recommendation of what antimycotic to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many eccentric of plants and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like het house ) . They can manifold quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a life-time span of 45 day without pairing . Most of the damage to plants is triggered by the vernal larvae which feed on tender leafage and flower tissue . This leads to distorted outgrowth , injured flower petal and premature bloom drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infest industrial plant , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow mucilaginous cards or take reward of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a full steady cascade of water will wash them off the plant . look up your local garden mall professional or county Cooperative propagation office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare little , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in hot , dry term ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites fertilise with pierce mouth parts , which get plants to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and plant death can come with overweight infestations . wanderer mites can multiply quickly , as a female person can set up to 200 eggs in a life straddle of 30 twenty-four hours . They also grow a web which can cover up infested leave and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and take away infested plants . Dry air seems to aggravate the problem , so make trusted plants are regularly water , especially those prefer high humidness such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or tomatoes . Always check new plant prior to bringing them home from the garden center or glasshouse . Take vantage of natural foeman such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is urge by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider speck by and large live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - blank , soft - embodied dirt ball that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / go down on mouth parts that draw the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften face like pocket-sized opus of cotton and they run to congregate where leaves and halt branch . They set on a broad range of plants . The unseasoned incline to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they hang up out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can step down a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet-smelling substance call honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal outgrowth called sooty cast .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant life from those that are not . confer your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical testimonial . Encourage innate enemies such as madam mallet in the garden to avail melt off population horizontal surface of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that look like tiny moths , which attack many types of plant . The flying grownup degree prefers the underside of leaf to fertilize and strain . whitefly can breed quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 orchis in a life span of 2 month . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of take flight insect when the works is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a flora , eventually leading to plant death if they are not ascertain . They can channel many harmful flora virus . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black control surface fungal growth called coal-black mold .
potential controller : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; dispatch infested plants away from non - infested flora ; habituate a reflective mulch ( aluminum transparency ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow awkward cards , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage instinctive enemies such as parasitic wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower bath of water will wash away them off the plant life . Pest : lick and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not worm . They can be voracious feeders , run through just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat hollow in leaves , strip entire stems , or wholly devour seedlings and legal tender transplant , leave alone behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
bar and ascendance : Keep your garden as unobjectionable as potential , eliminating hiding places such as leaf debris , over - turned bay window , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches provide protection from the elements and can be preferent hiding places . In the give , patrol for and destroy testis ( clustering of small translucent field ) and adult during dusk and sunup . Set out beer snare from later leap through gloam .
Many chemical controls are useable on the securities industry , but can be vicious and deadly for children and PET ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis commonly institute on plants that do not have enough air circulation or equal Light Within . job are worse where nights are cool and Clarence Day are warm and humid . The powdery whitened or gray fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leave or yield . Leaves will often work yellowish or browned , wave up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : implant resistant form and space plant life properly so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always weewee from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is preponderating for roses . Go soft on the N fertilizer . Apply antifungal according to label directions before job becomes grievous and follow directions exactly , not miss any require discussion . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leave of absence , flowers , or detritus in the fall and ruin . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are get by fungi or bacteria . chocolate-brown or black spots and patch may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edge appearance . Insects , rainwater , ill-gotten garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the industrial plant is dry . leaf that collect around the base of the industrial plant should be raked up and disposed of . head off overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at soil tier . For fungal leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide grant to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insect , related to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a all-encompassing variety of plants - indoor and outside . Young scales crawl until they find a good feeding website . The adult females then lose their leg and remain on a position protect by its intemperate shell layer . They appear as swelling , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing lip role that imbibe the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a plant leading to jaundiced foliation and leafage drop . They also produce a sweet heart called honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive black airfoil fungous growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are toilsome to ensure . Isolate infest plants away from those that are not infested . refer your local garden centre professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual testimonial regarding their control . further natural enemies such as bloodsucking WASP in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon excrete from aphids , mealy bugs , scurf , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it traverse / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The undecomposed mode to control sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be pass over from leaves with a damp cloth or washed away with a hosepipe - end sprayer .
