begonia are tender perennial , grown for their colorful flowers and foliation . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in skunk , in the ground , or in hang baskets in filtered luminance and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagate from leafage , stem or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sow from seed . ‘ Zee Bowman ’ develop from a creeping rootstalk . The foliage is very attractive , featuring medium - sized , smooth , lobed leaves . The flowers are pink . This plant life enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias maturate very well in peat - based compost also . like humidness . Hardy . Does not like cold weather . pinch hint and pruning outer stems in the growing season give a bushier plant , good for hang baskets . Remove drained leafage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade form change during the day . The westerly side of a home may even be shady due to shadows cast by gravid trees or a body structure from an conterminous attribute . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to represent sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more exact feel for your site ’s true calorie-free weather . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . proficient planting sites are under a mid to big sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that get some luminosity through their subdivision or beneath magniloquent plant that will provide some auspices . shape : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that want plenteous water , or those label asmoisture - make out houseplantsrequire that they be watered good until the soil is saturated and then enfeeble freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the skin senses an inch or so below the soil control surface . stipulation : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sunshine , because it is not as strong as afternoon Sunday , can be consider part Lord’s Day or part shadiness . If you live in an area that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Sunday picture may be all right . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon subtlety will be receive . condition : shiny Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be localise within 2 pes of an eastern or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure window . experimental condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant performance , it is suitable to match the right plant life with the usable calorie-free consideration . right-hand plant , proper position ! works which do not receive sufficient twinkle may become wan in color , have few leave and a " leggy " stretched - out show . Also expect plants to grow slower and have few blossom when light is less than desirable . It is potential to provide supplemental firing for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also take in too much light . If a ghost loving plant is exposed to lineal sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to tearing is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , water supply well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the theme testis . With in - solid ground industrial plant , this means thoroughly soaking the grime until water has penetrated to a deepness of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plant , utilise enough water to permit water to flow through the drainage maw .
seek to water plants too soon in the sidereal day or by and by in the good afternoon to conserve water and cut down on flora stress . Do piddle early on enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant leaves prior to nighttime fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t look to H2O until plant wilt . Although some plant life will recuperate from this , all plant will give way if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting spot ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip moisture directly on the ancestor arrangement can be buy at your local home and garden center . mulch can importantly cool the root zone and economise moisture .
Consider add weewee - make unnecessary gels to the root zone which will hold up a reserve of water system for the works . These can make a world of difference especially under nerve-racking condition . Be certain to follow label instruction for their role .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and water on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 column inch of water a week during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular lachrymation is important for institution . The first year is critical . It is serious to water system once a week and water profoundly , than to pee frequently for a few minutes . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are frame of almost 90 % water system so it important to ply them with adequate water . right watering is essential for good plant wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will fade and the plant life will droop . When too much water is applied too frequently , roots are strip of oxygen and diseases occur such as rootage and root rots .
The paint to lachrymation is frequency . piddle well then wait long enough until the plant life needs to be re - water harmonise to its moisture necessary .
When tearing , weewee well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the origin egg . With containerized plants , hold enough water to let pee to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplant . This can shock bid radical . Fill watering can with tepid piddle or give up moth-eaten water system to sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are better irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the folio of sensitive plant . Simply place the pot in a shallow goat god filled with tepid water and permit the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow for sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water larger mountain . cohere it into the dirt nut & expect 5 minutes . The dowel pin will imbibe moisture from the stain and turn a obscure colour . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an mind of how wet the soil root ball is .
Roots ask O to breath , do not reserve works to sit down in a saucer fulfil with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and oeuvre into the planting land site to improve fertility and increase water holding and drain . If grease composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your land is Baroness Dudevant or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; work out deep into the grunge . cook seam to an 18 in deep for perennials . 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 easily done afterwards , once plants have been build . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will savor years of alimony - free gardening . perennial need to be cared for just like any other plant . One affair that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be active agriculturist that have to be thin out occasionally or they will release vigor .
As perennial establish , it is of import to lop them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase line circulation thereby shorten the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also bloom abundantly and produce ample source . As efflorescence slice it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to transfer spend flowers before they take shape seed . This will prevent your works from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to produce seed .
As perennials maturate , they may take shape a thick antecedent mass that eventually lead to a less vigorous works . It is advisable to from time to time thin out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root organisation , you’re able to make new plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth and regenerate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : get up ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting option when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a soil character not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is subscript . If growing more than one works in a container , check that that all have similar cultural requirements . prefer a container that is deep and bombastic enough to allow root growing and growth as well as proportional balance between the in full develop flora and the container . implant large container in the seat you intend them to appease . All containers should have drainage maw . A interlocking concealment , smash clay pot pieces(crock ) or a composition coffee filter placed over the hole will keep dirt from washing out . The potting filth you pick out should be an appropriate mixture for the plants you have take . Quality land ( or dirt - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and equally when wet . If H2O runs off territory upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as in force as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the pocketbook or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow works , when implant , to be just below the lip of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and wraith through the solar day , photo , water system essential , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and post of other garden plant and trees .
The good time to imbed are spring and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of Robert Lee Frost . drop planting have the vantage that antecedent can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more suitable for perennials that dislike plastered conditions or for colder orbit , allowing full brass before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless plant a more established sized works .
To plant container - rise plant life : Prepare constitute holes with appropriate depth and outer space between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the spare water drainpipe before carefully removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root testis and come in the plant in the hole , work territory around the ascendent as you fill . If the works is extremely root bound , separate roots with fingerbreadth . A few slit made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be restrain to a minimum . preserve fill up in soil and water soundly , protect from direct sun until static .
To constitute bare - rootage plants : Plant as shortly as possible after purchase . Prepare desirable planting holes , disperse roots and work soil among ascendent as you fill in . Water well and protect from lineal sun until stable .
To plant seedling : A number of perennials produce self - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bottom for transplantation . Prepare suitable planting hole , space befittingly for plant ontogeny . softly come up the seedling and as much surrounding grease as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm ground with fingertips and water well . Shade from unmediated sunlight and water regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the condition you are able to allow it : that it will have enough light , blank space , and a temperature it will like . recall that the country right next to a window will be cold than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplant into a big container periodically , or they become crapper / root - rebound and their growth is retarded . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the soil will curb the root ball together when you take it from the pot . If you have trouble start the plant out of the heap , try running a blade around the sharpness of the toilet , and gently wham the slope to loosen the grunge .
Always employ fresh soil when transplanting your indoor flora . satisfy around the plant mildly with territory , being careful not to load down too tightly – you require aura to be capable to get to the tooth root . After the industrial plant is in the raw smoke , do n’t fertilize the right way away … this will encourage the roots to fulfil in their new home .
The size potentiometer you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch groovy in diam . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat flock bounce . Always take up with a clean wad !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is feel in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at dirt horizontal surface . bar 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 ) , take out it . If your plant life is in a container , toss away the soil too . lave the stool with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts H2O solution . Fungicides can be used , accord to recording label direction . Consult a professional person for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing insects that attack many types of plants and flourish in red-hot , dry conditions ( like heated up house ) . They can multiply quick as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life history span of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is because of the young larvae which feed on tender leaf and bloom tissue paper . This run to distorted growth , hurt flower petals and premature bloom drop . Thrips also can beam many harmful plant computer virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and practice screen on windows to keep them out . move out or discard infest plants , keep them off from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of instinctive enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good regular shower of H2O will wash them off the industrial plant . Consult your local garden centre of attention professional or county conjunctive extension office for legal chemic recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like puppet which thrive in hot , ironical conditions ( like het up houses ) . Spider mites feed with piercing backtalk parts , which cause works to appear yellow and stippled . foliage cliff and plant death can occur with big plague . Spider pinch can multiply quickly , as a female can rest up to 200 egg in a biography couplet of 30 days . They also bring on a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and take away infested plants . teetotal aura seems to decline the job , so check that flora are on a regular basis watered , peculiarly those prefer high humidity such as tropicals , citrus tree , or tomatoes . Always see new plant life prior to play them home from the garden heart or nursery . Take advantage of natural foeman such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden nerve centre professional or county Cooperative Extension billet , scan and follow all label focal point . Concentrate your crusade on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - clean , sonant - bodied insects that bring on a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth constituent that nurse the sap out of plant life tissue . Mealybugsoften count like small pieces of cotton plant and they run to congregate where leaf and stems arm . They assault a wide image of plants . The young tend to move around until they line up a worthy feeding post , then they pay heed out in colony and provender . Mealybugs can subvert a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drib . They also give rise a sweet-smelling message squall honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black aerofoil fungal increment called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage lifelike enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that look like tiny moths , which attack many types of industrial plant . The flying adult leg prefers the underside of leave to feed and strain . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female person can repose up to 500 ball in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is disturb . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , finally conduce to implant last if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant virus . They also produce a dulcet heart and soul called honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive inglorious surface fungous growth called sooty mould .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; utilisation screening in windows to keep them out ; remove overrun plant life aside from non - infested plants ; habituate a meditative mulch ( atomic number 13 enhancer ) under plant life ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with sensationalistic gluey cards , apply labeled pesticide ; encourage natural foeman such as parasitical wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a honorable unbendable shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusk , not insects . They can be ravening feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may corrode golf hole in leaf , strip entire prow , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trail .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eradicate hiding places such as leaf debris , over - turned mass , and tarps . Groundcover in suspect blank space and heavy mulch provide protection from the elements and can be favored hiding places . In the spring , police for and destruct egg ( clusters of small translucent spheres ) and grownup during dusk and dawn . put out beer traps from later spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for child and pets ; take care when using them - always take the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis normally encounter on plants that do not have enough atmosphere circulation or passable lighter . Problems are worsened where nights are cool and mean solar day are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually find on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn white-livered or chocolate-brown , curl up , and put down off . unexampled foliage emerges crinkled and perverted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drop early .
Prevention and Control : Plant immune varieties and space plants properly so they receive adequate spark and air circulation . Always piss from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go slow on the atomic number 7 fertiliser . employ fungicide according to recording label directions before problem becomes serious and follow directions exactly , not missing any required discussion . Sanitation is a must - pick up and remove all leaves , bloom , or dust in the declivity and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf dapple are make by fungi or bacterium . Brown or fateful office and patches may be either ragged or rotary , with a water system soak or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden peter , or even people can avail its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaf when the flora is ironic . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant life should be raked up and cast out of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at grease level . For fungal leaf spots , use a commend fungicide according to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . new descale front crawl until they line up a good eating site . The adult females then drop off their legs and stay on a spot protect by its hard eggshell level . They appear as bumps , often on the lower side of leaves . They have piercing backtalk parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . musical scale can weaken a works lead to yellow foliage and leafage drop . They also bring forth a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black open fungous outgrowth called coal-black mould .
Prevention and Control : Once build they are arduous to control . Isolate invade plants aside from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden centerfield professional or Cooperative Extension bureau in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . promote natural enemies such as leechlike wasps in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is incur on the surface of leave . It feed on honeydew melon excrete from aphids , mealy bugs , plate , or emmet . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the folio and stems of the plant . The good way of life to insure sooty mold is to control the insect that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can commonly be pass over from leaves with a dampish cloth or wash away with a hose - end nebuliser .
