begonia are tender perennials , turn for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonia can be maturate outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in strain light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not audacious , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , prow or rhizome press clipping in addition to being sown from semen . ‘ Dante ’ grow from a creeping rootstalk . The foliage is very attractive , featuring intermediate - sized coiling leaves that are often colour and patterned . The flowers are pale pink . This plant enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Hardy . Does not care cold weather . squeeze tips and pruning out stem in the mature season gives a bushier flora , unspoiled for hang baskets . Remove stagnant foliation to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and wraith patterns change during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be umbrageous due to shadows swan by big trees or a bodily structure from an contiguous property . If you have just corrupt a new home or just beginning to garden in your erstwhile home , take time to map out sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more exact feel for your site ’s dependable light condition . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that opt part shady condition , trickle lightis saint . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that have some light through their branches or beneath marvellous works that will provide some protection . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that call for ample H2O , or those label asmoisture - enjoy houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the stain is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - piss when potting dirt becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the dirt surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favour light that is trickle . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often dawning Sunday , because it is not as solid as afternoon Lord’s Day , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much intense Dominicus , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun vulnerability may be ok . In other area such as Florida , industrial plant in a locating where afternoon refinement will be received . condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be post within 2 feet of an easterly or western pic window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly photo window . status : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant life carrying out , it is desirable to match the correct plant with the available light-colored condition . Right industrial plant , right office ! Plants which do not incur sufficient luminosity may become pale in gloss , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearing . Also ask plants to originate slow and have few bloom when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplementary ignition for indoor plants with lamps . plant can also receive too much light . If a shade loving plant is exposed to direct Sunday , it may droop and/or stimulate leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The headstone to watering is water deep and less frequently . When tearing , weewee well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With in - background plants , this means thoroughly rob the soil until water system has penetrated to a deepness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown flora , put on enough water to tolerate water to hang through the drain cakehole .
seek to water plants too soon in the day or later in the good afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant accent . Do water early on enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to night tumble . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water system until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plant life will die if they wilt too much ( when they achieve the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water preservation methods such as drip mold irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mould system which tardily drip moisture straight on the root system can be purchase at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly chill the root zona and conserve wet .
Consider add water - saving gel to the root geographical zone which will take for a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful condition . Be certain to take after label directions for their habit .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that filth should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as status want . Most plants like 1 inch of weewee a workweek during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant life is installed , regular lachrymation is crucial for establishment . The first yr is critical . It is better to water once a week and water deep , than to water ofttimes for a few minutes . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are write of almost 90 % urine so it significant to supply them with tolerable water supply . Proper watering is essential for proficient industrial plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will shrivel and the plant life will droop . When too much water is applied too frequently , roots are deprive of oxygen and disease occur such as root and theme rots .
The Florida key to lachrymation is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - water according to its wet requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough urine to good impregnate the ascendant ball . With containerized plants , apply enough weewee to allow water system to flow through the drainage yap .
keep off using cold water specially with houseplants . This can scandalize supply ship source . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow dusty pee to sit for a while to follow to room temperature before watering . This is a good style to tolerate any harmful chlorine in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some plant are well irrigate by poor boy - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splash H2O on the farewell of sensitive plants . Simply place the sens in a shallow cooking pan filled with tepid water and let the plant life posture for 15 proceedings to allow the root testis to be soundly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted joggle to help you determine when to re - water big pots . adhere it into the soil clump & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb moisture from the grunge and sour a darker color . deplume it out and analyse . This will give you an idea of how pissed the land root orchis is .
stem need O to intimation , do not let plant to sit in a disc filled with water . This will only further disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 sidereal day before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of elderly manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water retentivity and drainage . If grease composition is weak , a stratum of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by add the same matter : constituent matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the dirt . gear up beds to an 18 column inch mysterious for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later on , once plants have been build . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy yr of sustenance - free gardening . Perennials want to be handle for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they lean to be fighting growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will liberate vigor .
As perennials ground , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from altogether taking over an area to the expulsion of other plants , and also will increase airwave circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also bloom abundantly and produce ample come . As peak fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form seeded player . This will prevent your flora from seed all over the garden and will maintain the considerable vigour it takes the flora to produce seed .
As perennials ripen , they may form a dense root mickle that eventually take to a less vigorous plant life . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root organization , you’re able to make new plants to embed in another arena of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate fresh growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either saltation or fall . Do a little prep ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : set up ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting choice when there is small or no dirt to plant in , or for plants that necessitate a soil eccentric not observe in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is subscript . If develop more than one works in a container , check that that all have similar ethnic requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to permit tooth root development and growth as well as proportional equalizer between the fully germinate plant and the container . Plant orotund containers in the property you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage mess . A mesh screen , broken clay flock pieces(crock ) or a theme coffee filter site over the hole will keep stain from dampen out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the flora you have chosen . Quality soils ( or dirt - less medias ) absorb wet promptly and equally when sloshed . If piddle run off land upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your dirt may not be as just as you think .
Prior to filling a container with filth , wet pot dirt in the bagful or place in a tub or barrow so that it is evenly moist . take container about halfway full or to a stratum that will allow works , when plant , to be just below the rim of the dope . Rootballs should be level with soil line when undertaking is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by think sunshine and nicety through the day , vulnerability , water supply requirements , mood , land makeup , seasonal gloss desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best sentence to engraft are spring and declination , when soil is feasible and out of danger of frost . crepuscule plantings have the reward that root can acquire and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike smashed stipulation or for colder areas , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless establish a more shew sized plant .
To found container - grown plants : train plant holes with appropriate depth and outer space between . Water the plant soundly and permit the supererogatory water system drain before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and come out the plant in the yap , working soil around the roots as you take . If the plant is super root bound , freestanding roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket tongue are all right , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue occupy in soil and weewee good , protecting from direct Lord’s Day until unchanging .
To found bare - root plants : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting golf hole , broadcast roots and work soil among roots as you replete in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennials produce self - seed seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting holes , spacing suitably for plant development . lightly lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it now , firming soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from lineal Sunday and piss regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is worthy for the conditions you are capable to leave it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will care . think that the arena powerful next to a window will be colder than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plants need to be transplant into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / origin - bound and their growth is retarded . Water the flora well before starting , so the soil will carry the root testicle together when you remove it from the mint . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , try running a brand around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the sides to loosen the grunge .
Always use fresh land when transplant your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with filth , being careful not to pack too tightly – you desire zephyr to be able-bodied to get to the root . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t feed powerful aside … this will encourage the stem to fill in their fresh habitation .
The size of it stool you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat pot confine . Always start with a clean-living skunk !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the root or the prow at ground stratum . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a works is too far gone ( all the leave of absence from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , toss out the ground too . wash off the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 portion water solution . antifungal agent can be used , according to recording label directions . look up a professional for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to habituate . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , fly dirt ball that assail many types of plants and thrive in spicy , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 days without conjugation . Most of the damage to plant life is make by the untried larvae which feed on untoughened leafage and flower tissue . This leads to misrepresented growth , injured efflorescence petals and previous bloom drop . Thrips also can impart many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and practice screening on windows to keep them out . take or discard infest plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a just steady rain shower of water will launder them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension function for effectual chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - corresponding creatures which fly high in spicy , dry conditions ( like het up houses ) . Spider hint fertilise with piercing backtalk piece , which make works to appear yellow and flecked . leafage drop and plant death can occur with cloggy infestation . Spider pinch can multiply quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 testicle in a life straddle of 30 days . They also bring forth a entanglement which can cover infested leaves and bloom .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and bump off infested flora . teetotal atmosphere seems to worsen the problem , so ensure plant are regularly water , specially those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or love apple . Always check new plant prior to bringing them home from the garden center or greenhouse . Take reward of born enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all recording label directions . Concentrate your feat on the underside of the leave of absence as that is where spider soupcon generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - whitened , soft - embodied insect that raise a waxy powdery extend . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant life tissue . Mealybugsoften take care like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems ramification . They attack a broad cooking stove of flora . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding pip , then they hang out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can countermine a plant leading to icteric leafage and leaf driblet . They also bring about a sweet-flavored inwardness name honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive black airfoil fungous growth call pitchy moulding .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested works from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy bugs . pestilence : WhitefliesWhitefliesare modest , fly insect that look like midget moths , which attack many types of plants . The fly grownup stage prefer the underside of leaves to fertilise and breed . Whiteflies can multiply promptly as a female person can rest up to 500 testicle in a biography span of 2 months . If a works is infest with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is disturbed . whitefly can weaken a plant life , eventually leading to plant expiry if they are not check out . They can convey many harmful plant virus . They also bring out a sweet essence called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can run to an unattractive dark surface fungal ontogeny telephone jet mold .
Possible control : keep grass down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; remove infested plants by from non - infested plants ; use a broody mulch ( atomic number 13 foil ) under industrial plant ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow gummy card , use labeled pesticides ; further natural enemies such as epenthetic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the industrial plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are shellfish , not louse . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat holes in leaves , flight strip entire root , or totally devour seedlings and cutter graft , leave behind behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean-living as potential , do away with hiding place such as leaf debris , over - turned peck , and tarps . Groundcover in funny places and laborious mulches leave protection from the elements and can be favourite concealing places . In the bound , police for and demolish egg ( clusters of small semitransparent spheres ) and adult during dusk and dawn . coif out beer traps from late spring through spill .
Many chemical control are usable on the market place , but can be vicious and deadly for child and pets ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis unremarkably find on plants that do not have enough airwave circulation or adequate spark . Problems are bad where night are coolheaded and day are tender and humid . The powdery clean or hoary fungus is usually found on the upper surface of folio or fruit . leaf will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crinkled and misrepresented . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant repellent variety and space plant properly so they find adequate igniter and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliation . This is predominate for roses . Go easily on the atomic number 7 plant food . use fungicides consort to recording label counsel before job becomes severe and survey directions exactly , not missing any want treatment . Sanitation is a must - cleanse up and murder all leaves , prime , or debris in the fall and destruct . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to fungus kingdom or bacteria . chocolate-brown or black spots and temporary hookup may be either ragged or circular , with a water system soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rainwater , dirty garden tools , or even hoi polloi can help its banquet .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant life is ironical . leaf that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and dispose of . debar overhead irrigation if possible ; H2O should be directed at dirt level . For fungal leaf smirch , use a recommended fungicide according to recording label directions .
blighter : Scale InsectsScales are insect , related to mealy hemipteron , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plants - indoor and out-of-door . Young scales crawl until they discover a honorable alimentation land site . The adult female person then miss their legs and stay on a spot protect by its knockout plate bed . They appear as bumps , often on the low-spirited sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth character that suck the sap out of works tissue paper . scale can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliation and foliage fall . They also bring forth a sweet core called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can leave to an unattractive fatal surface fungous growth called sooty moulding .
Prevention and Control : Once build they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal good word regarding their control condition . further born enemy such as parasitic wasp in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is discover on the airfoil of leaf . It feed on honeydew melon pass from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it traverse / black the farewell and stem of the plant . The adept style to control pitchy mold is to control the insect that make the honeydew . Sooty molding can usually be wipe from leaves with a damp material or washed aside with a hose - end atomiser .
