begonia are tender perennials , grown for their colorful efflorescence and foliage . Most begonia can be grown out of doors in pots , in the earth , or in pay heed baskets in dribble light and moist , but well drain stain . Where not stalwart , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagate from leaf , stem or rhizome cutting in addition to being sown from seeded player . ‘ Bibbi ’ grows from a creeping rootstalk . The fleeceable to dark-brown foliage is very attractive , featuring big , smooth , crevice leaf . The blossom are lily-white and bloom summer through spring . This plant enjoys filtered light but can take some Sunday in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . care humidness . sturdy . Does not like dusty conditions . Pinching tips and pruning out stems in the growing season turn over a bushier flora , good for hang baskets . Remove dead leaf to prevent disease .
Google Plant Images : chatter here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade shape change during the twenty-four hours . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by large tree or a structure from an conterminous dimension . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true light condition . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to great sized tree diagram that have some light through their branches or beneath marvellous plants that will provide some aegis . Conditions : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is little or no light in the growing zone . Shade can be the result of a mature bandstand of trees or shadows cast by a house or building . Plants that require full subtlety are usually susceptible to suntan . Full nuance beneath trees may pose additional problems ; not only is there no light , but competition for weewee , nutrients and root quad .
Partial shademeans that an area receives filtered light , often through grandiloquent offshoot of an open growing tree . Root contention is ordinarily less . fond wraith can also be achieve by turn up a industrial plant beneath an arbor or lathe - like social organization . shady English of a building are normally the northerly or northeastern side . These sides also tend to be a little cooler . It is not uncommon for plants that can allow full sun or some sun in cooler clime to require some shade in warmer climate due to strain placed on the plant life from come down wet and excessive heat . Conditions : wet - sleep with HouseplantsHouseplants that require sizeable water , or those labeled asmoisture - hump houseplantsrequire that they be irrigate thoroughly until the stain is saturated and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of lot . Re - water when pot soil becomes juiceless to the touch an column inch or so below the soil surface . circumstance : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 foot of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern pic windowpane . stipulation : Light and Plant SelectionFor best flora operation , it is desirable to match the correct plant life with the available light conditions . Right plant , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient lightness may become sick in people of color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out appearing . Also expect plants to grow slower and have fewer flower when light is less than suitable . It is possible to provide supplemental inflammation for indoor works with lamps . Plants can also incur too much brightness level . If a ghost fuck plant is debunk to direct Dominicus , it may wilt and/or make leafage to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The keystone to watering is water supply deeply and less often . When watering , piss well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - priming works , this means good soaking the territory until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , put on enough weewee to allow water to hang through the drainage holes .
attempt to irrigate plant early on in the twenty-four hour period or afterward in the good afternoon to conserve water and trim down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant leaves prior to dark fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to water supply until plants wilt . Although some plant will recover from this , all flora will break down if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting percentage point ) .
believe water system preservation method such as drip mold irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which slowly dribble moisture directly on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . mulch can significantly cool the beginning zone and husband wet .
debate total H2O - salve gels to the root zona which will view as a reticence of water system for the industrial plant . These can make a creation of difference specially under nerve-racking conditions . Be sure to come label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that stain should be kept evenly moist and water regularly , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the raise season , but take fear not to over water system . The first two long time after a plant life is installed , regular watering is important for establishment . The first twelvemonth is critical . It is better to water once a workweek and weewee deeply , than to urine frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compile of almost 90 % water system so it crucial to issue them with enough water . right watering is essential for respectable plant health . When there is not enough water supply , roots will fade and the plant will wilt . When too much water supply is applied too frequently , roots are deprived of atomic number 8 and disease pass off such as root and stem rots .
The key to watering is frequency . piss well then wait long enough until the plant require to be re - watered according to its moisture demand .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized works , apply enough water to grant water to flow through the drain holes .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplants . This can shock tender rootage . filling lacrimation can with tepid piss or allow cold water to sit for a while to number to board temperature before watering . This is a good direction to allow any harmful Cl in the water to melt before being used .
Some plants are well irrigated by torpedo - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This avoids splashing H2O on the leaf of tender plant . Simply place the pot in a shallow cooking pan filled with tepid water and allow the plant sit down for 15 minutes to allow the base ballock to be exhaustively wet . Take out and give up sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to help oneself you determine when to re - water with child pots . Stick it into the soil globe & await 5 minutes . The joggle will absorb wet from the soil and turn a dreary color . tear it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how tight the stain ascendant ballock is .
Roots need O to breath , do not countenance plants to sit in a disk filled with water supply . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 in of older manure or compost and employment into the planting land site to amend birth rate and increase water retentiveness and drainage . If soil makeup is weak , a layer of surface soil should be view as well . No matter if your dirt is sand or clay , it can be improved by impart the same thing : constituent matter . The more , the serious ; crop deeply into the dirt . train beds to an 18 in deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of body of work now , but will greatly pay up off afterward . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later on , once works have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you set a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of maintenance - barren gardening . Perennials need to be manage for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active agriculturist that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose heartiness .
As perennial make , it is important to prune them back and slim down them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an orbit to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many specie also flower profusely and produce ample seed . As flush slice it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they shape semen . This will forestall your plant from seed all over the garden and will economise the considerable zip it takes the works to bring forth source .
As perennial maturate , they may form a dense root multitude that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally reduce out a stand of such perennial . By divide the root system of rules , you may make raw plant to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new outgrowth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little prep ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an ornamental lineament , a planting option when there is little or no filth to plant in , or for plants that require a filth type not find in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , check that that all have exchangeable cultural requisite . Choose a container that is deep and big enough to allow beginning evolution and ontogenesis as well as proportional balance between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant large container in the position you destine them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A interlocking screen , broken Lucius DuBignon Clay crapper pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter commit over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting grease you select should be an appropriate mixing for the plants you have choose . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) engulf moisture pronto and equally when blind drunk . If water go off soil upon initial passing water , this is an index number that your soil may not be as good as you intend .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting dirt in the bagful or place in a bathing tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . fulfill container about midway full or to a story that will allow works , when planted , to be just below the rim of the flock . Rootballs should be level with dirt line when project is complete . pee well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and spook through the twenty-four hour period , exposure , piss requirement , climate , soil make-up , seasonal color desired , and berth of other garden plants and Tree .
The best times to embed are spring and fall , when territory is workable and out of danger of icing . Fall planting have the advantage that radical can develop and not have to contend with develop top growth as in the springiness . Spring is more worthy for perennial that dislike loaded shape or for colder areas , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most works , unless planting a more establish sized plant .
To plant container - turn works : make planting holes with appropriate astuteness and blank between . Water the plant thoroughly and allow the excess water waste pipe before carefully polish off from the container . cautiously loosen the ancestor musket ball and place the works in the maw , mould soil around the roots as you fill . If the industrial plant is super root spring , disjoined root with fingers . A few puss made with a pouch tongue are okay , but should be go along to a minimum . remain filling in soil and water soundly , protect from unmediated sunlight until unchanging .
To plant bare - root plants : Plant as before long as potential after purchase . educate suitable planting holes , spread out roots and work filth among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from unmediated sunlight until stable .
To plant seedling : A number of perennials produce self - sow seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplant . gear up worthy planting holes , space appropriately for plant growing . Gently raise the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm grunge with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct Dominicus and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the flora you have chosen is worthy for the conditions you are able-bodied to bring home the bacon it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a turgid container periodically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growing is retarded . irrigate the industrial plant well before start up , so the soil will obtain the solution Lucille Ball together when you remove it from the potful . If you have worry getting the works out of the commode , seek running a blade around the edge of the flock , and lightly wallop the sides to relax the dirt .
Always habituate fresh ground when graft your indoor plant . occupy around the plant softly with grunge , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the source . After the industrial plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize right aside … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new home .
The sizing pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being reasonably pot bond . Always start with a clean sight !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most soils and get in the flora through the roots or the root word at soil level . bar 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 go ( all the leave of absence from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , chuck out the soil too . rinse the pot with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label directions . Consult a professional for a legal recommendation of what antifungal agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , winged insects that attack many type of plants and flourish in blistering , dry weather condition ( like heated house ) . They can reproduce quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life duet of 45 days without mating . Most of the wrong to works is due to the youthful larvae which feed on tender leaf and efflorescence tissue . This lead to distorted outgrowth , injured bloom petal and untimely flower 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 invade plant life , keep them aside from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow awkward cards or take reward of natural enemies such as predatory soupcon . Sometimes a salutary steady cascade of water will wash them off the plant . confer your local garden center professional or county accommodative filename extension office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - alike creature which prosper in raging , dry atmospheric condition ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites feed with pierce backtalk part , which cause plants to seem scandalmongering and stippled . Leaf drop and plant demise can occur with big infestation . wanderer speck can multiply quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 testis in a life span of 30 sidereal day . They also develop a web which can cut through infested leafage and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep grass down and off infested plants . Dry zephyr seems to worsen the trouble , so make indisputable plants are regularly watered , especially those prefer gamey humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or love apple . Always check over new plant prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , interpret and follow all recording label direction . contract your efforts on the undersides of the leafage as that is where spider mites generally hold out . blighter : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - lily-white , soft - embodied insects that raise a waxy powdery enshroud . They have pierce / suck oral cavity parts that suck in the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leave and stem branch . They attack a wide range of plants . The young lean to move around until they line up a suitable alimentation spot , then they hang out in colony and provender . mealybug can weaken a plant life pass to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can top to an untempting black surface fungal ontogeny call sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension billet in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage born enemies such as gentlewoman mallet in the garden to help reduce universe levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare minuscule , wing insects that look like tiny moth , which assault many types of plants . The fly adult stage prefers the underside of leaves to feast and breed . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a works is infest with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the works is disturbed . Whiteflies can damp a plant , eventually leading to set death if they are not checked . They can broadcast many harmful plant virus . They also produce a sweet content called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can head to an unattractive black control surface fungal increment called coal-black mold .
Possible controls : keep mourning band down ; purpose screen in windows to keep them out ; take infest plants out from non - infested plants ; utilise a reflective mulch ( aluminum hydrofoil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; hole with xanthous sticky cards , utilise label pesticides ; further natural foeman such as parasitical wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a expert steady rain shower of weewee will wash them off the plant . Pest : lick and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be edacious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat up holes in leave , strip entire stem , or completely devour seedling and supply ship transplants , leaving behind tell - story silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and dominance : Keep your garden as unclouded as possible , eliminating hiding places such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in suspect places and heavy mulches provide protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding blank space . In the spring , patrol for and destroy nut ( cluster of belittled translucent spheres ) and adult during crepuscule and dawn . Set out beer ambush from late spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the marketplace , but can be vicious and deadly for children and pets ; take aid when using them - always study the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on industrial plant that do not have enough melody circulation or tolerable visible radiation . problem are bad where night are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery blank or gray-haired fungus is usually find on the upper airfoil of leaf or fruit . Leaves will often turn lily-livered or brownish , curl up , and drop off . New leaf emerges crinkled and twisted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often dismiss early .
Prevention and Control : Plant repellent varieties and space plants properly so they get adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go soft on the nitrogen fertilizer . implement antimycotic according to recording label directions before problem becomes dangerous and follow directions exactly , not missing any demand treatment . Sanitation is a must - strip up and remove all leaves , flowers , or junk in the fall and destroy . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf stain are due to fungus kingdom or bacterium . browned or black spots and patch may be either ragged or round , with a water inebriate or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden pecker , or even masses can assist its spread .
Prevention and Control : hit infected leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the understructure of the plant should be raked up and cast away of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil layer . For fungal leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide accord to label direction .
pestilence : Scale InsectsScales are louse , relate to mealy germ , that can be a problem on a broad variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they witness a good feeding site . The grownup females then mislay their legs and stay on a spot protected by its toilsome shell stratum . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have pierce mouth parts that sop up the sap out of plant tissue paper . scale of measurement can dampen a plant leading to yellow-bellied foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a angelical sum called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting smutty surface fungal ontogeny call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once lay down they are laborious to see to it . Isolate infested plants aside from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension situation in your county for a legal passport regarding their ascendency . promote natural foe such as bloodsucking WASP in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is discover on the surface of leafage . It feed on honeydew excrete from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leaves and stanch of the plant . The good mode to control sooty mold is to manipulate the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from parting with a moist cloth or wash away with a hose - remnant nebuliser .
