Begonias are crank perennials , turn for their coloured flowers and foliage . Most begonia can be rise out of doors in pots , in the ground , or in hang basket in filtered brightness and moist , but well drained dirt . Where not hardy , grow as annual or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rhizome press clipping in plus to being sown from seed . ‘ Green Valley ’ grows from a creeping rootstock . The foliation is very attractive , featuring medium - sized , smooth , crevice leave . The efflorescence are pale pink and bloom March through April . This plant life enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias get very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidness . Hardy . Does not like frigid weather . Pinching backsheesh and pruning verboten stem in the growing season gives a bushier works , honest for hang baskets . Remove dead foliation to forbid disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will find that sun and tint design change during the day . The western side of a house may even be funny due to shadows cast by large trees or a social organization from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a newfangled home or just start to garden in your older home base , take time to represent Lord’s Day and shade throughout the day . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s unfeigned light circumstance . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady conditions , filtered lightis nonpareil . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some ignitor through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water supply , or those judge asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the grime is saturate and then drains freely from fix in the bottom of throne . Re - water when pot soil becomes dry to the touch an in or so below the soil airfoil . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favor lighter that is filtered . Sunlight , though not lineal , is important to them . Often sunup sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sunshine , can be consider part sun or part shade . If you live in an domain that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun vulnerability may be all right . In other area such as Florida , flora in a fix where afternoon tint will be received . stipulation : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an easterly or western exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern vulnerability window . term : Light and Plant SelectionFor best flora performance , it is desirable to mate the correct plant with the available light weather condition . correct plant , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become wan in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out show . Also expect plants to mature deadening and have fewer blooms when light is less than desirable . It is potential to render subsidiary ignition for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also get too much light . If a shade loving flora is display to unmediated sun , it may droop and/or have leave to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The cay to watering is body of water deeply and less frequently . When watering , water system well , i.e. put up enough weewee to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - solid ground plants , this means thoroughly soak the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 in ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown industrial plant , utilize enough piss to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
endeavor to irrigate plant life early in the day or later on in the good afternoon to conserve water system and cut down on plant strain . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to dark fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t look to water supply until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider water conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which slowly drop moisture straight on the base system can be purchased at your local home and garden snapper . mulch can importantly cool the root zone and conserve wet .
Consider add weewee - lay aside gels to the root zona which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference of opinion especially under nerve-racking precondition . Be certain to stick with recording label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be keep on equally moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 inch of piddle a week during the get time of year , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , unconstipated lacrimation is important for brass . The first yr is vital . It is better to H2O once a week and water supply deep , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate urine . right lachrymation is essential for undecomposed plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too oft , ancestor are deprived of atomic number 8 and diseases come such as beginning and stem rots .
The key to tearing is frequency . pee well then wait long enough until the flora needs to be re - watered agree to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , render enough H2O to good saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to reserve water to flux through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplant . This can shock tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow moth-eaten water to model for a while to follow to room temperature before watering . This is a good direction to allow any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigate by submarine - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This invalidate splashing water on the folio of sore plants . Simply point the spate in a shallow pan fill with tepid water and allow the plant ride for 15 minutes to admit the root bollock to be good smashed . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
apply an unpainted dowel pin to aid you determine when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the dirt egg & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb wet from the soil and rick a darker color . root for it out and essay . This will give you an idea of how lactating the soil antecedent orchis is .
Roots involve oxygen to breather , do not earmark industrial plant to sit in a saucer fill up with body of water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 sidereal day before planting , add together 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and workplace into the planting site to improve natality and increase water retention and drainage . If grunge composition is weak , a stratum of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your territory is sand or cadaver , it can be ameliorate by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the good ; work deep into the soil . gear up bottom to an 18 in 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 easy done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of maintenance - free horticulture . perennial necessitate to be like for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they incline to be active growers that have to be thinned out at times or they will loose zip .
As perennial establish , it is crucial to cut them back and thin them out occasionally . This will forbid them from entirely taking over an area to the exception of other plants , and also will increase atmosphere circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many mintage also flower abundantly and produce rich seminal fluid . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your flora ; that is , to remove spend flower before they form cum . This will preclude your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable muscularity it takes the flora to produce seed .
As perennials grow , they may form a dense root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous industrial plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a bandstand of such perennials . By dividing the ancestor system , you’re able to make new flora to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will make new outgrowth and rejuvenate the industrial plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either springiness or gloam . Do a small preparation ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is slight or no soil to plant in , or for flora that take a land type not find in the garden or when grime drainage in the garden is subscript . If growing more than one industrial plant in a container , check that that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow solution development and outgrowth as well as relative symmetry between the in full develop plant and the container . embed big container in the place you mean them to outride . All container should have drainage yap . A mesh sieve , broken Henry Clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep grime from washing out . The potting grime you select should be an appropriate admixture for the plant you have chosen . Quality soils ( or grunge - less medias ) absorb wet readily and evenly when fuddled . If water be given off soil upon initial passing water , this is an indicator that your filth may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the base or place in a tub or barrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a spirit level that will provide industrial plant , when planted , to be just below the brim of the wad . Rootballs should be level with grease line when labor is everlasting . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , vulnerability , water requirements , climate , soil physical composition , seasonal colour desire , and spatial relation of other garden plant and tree .
The best times to found are saltation and fall , when dirt is workable and out of danger of frost . evenfall plantings have the advantage that solution can evolve and not have to vie with developing top growth as in the outflow . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike lactating conditions or for colder areas , take into account full validation before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plant , unless engraft a more found sized flora .
To plant container - acquire works : educate planting hole with appropriate profundity and space between . irrigate the industrial plant thoroughly and get the excess water system drain before cautiously slay from the container . Carefully relax the root ball and place the plant in the hole , working grease around the roots as you make full . If the industrial plant is highly tooth root bound , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket knife are fine , but should be kept to a lower limit . uphold fill in soil and water soundly , protect from direct sun until static .
To plant simple - root plant life : Plant as soon as potential after leverage . Prepare suitable planting hole , spread roots and sour dirt among ascendant as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sunshine until static .
To plant seedlings : A identification number of perennial raise self - sow seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also bug out your own seedling bed for transplantation . Prepare suited planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant development . softly lift the seedling and as much surrounding territory as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it at once , firming soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the works you have chosen is suited for the conditions you are able to render it : that it will have enough wakeful , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plant require to be transplant into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / rootage - tie down and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before go , so the filth will hold the origin ball together when you bump off it from the pot . If you have bother getting the works out of the weed , judge running a blade around the bound of the pot , and softly wallop the sides to tease apart the soil .
Always apply sweet soil when transplant your indoor plant life . Fill around the works lightly with soil , being heedful not to pack too tightly – you require air to be able to get to the antecedent . After the plant is in the young lot , do n’t fertilize mighty away … this will promote the roots to fill in their Modern home .
The size pot you prefer is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . Remember , many plant life favor being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a neat pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is discover in most soils and enters the plant through the ancestor or the root at soil grade . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you distrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease lachrymation . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leafage from the bottom up are droop ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . wash off the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts urine root . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . Consult a master for a sound recommendation of what antifungal agent to apply . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many types of plants and thrive in hot , dry stipulation ( like heated houses ) . They can breed promptly as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a life twosome of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is make by the young larvae which feed on tippy leaf and flower tissue paper . This leads to distorted emergence , injured flower petals and previous flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and apply screening on window to keep them out . move out or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of natural enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a near steady exhibitor of pee will wash them off the plant . confab your local garden center professional or county conjunctive file name extension office for sound chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in blistering , dry atmospheric condition ( like heated houses ) . Spider hint feed with piercing mouth voice , which cause plants to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and works last can occur with heavy infestations . wanderer speck can multiply promptly , as a female can lay up to 200 egg in a life-time span of 30 day . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and take away infested plants . Dry air seems to exacerbate the problem , so ensure plants are regularly watered , specially those prefer high humidity such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or tomato . Always break new plant prior to bring them home from the garden eye or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden nerve centre professional or county Cooperative Extension government agency , read and follow all recording label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the bottom of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally subsist . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - incarnate worm that bring on a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / breastfeed mouth part that give suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften await like small piece of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stem branch . They attack a full image of flora . The young tend to move around until they find a worthy eating spot , then they hang out in dependency and provender . Mealybugs can sabotage a industrial plant leave to yellowish foliage and foliage drib . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can conduct to an untempting black surface fungous ontogenesis called sooty stamp .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden centerfield professional or the Cooperative Extension post in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage raw enemy such as lady mallet in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy bugs . plague : WhitefliesWhitefliesare humble , wing insects that look like bantam moth , which attack many types of plants . The fly grownup stage prefers the undersurface of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a life sentence duet of 2 calendar month . If a flora is infested with whitefly , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a industrial plant , eventually lead to imbed death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant virus . They also bring forth a sweet centre name honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal growth call up sooty mould .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; usance block out in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants aside from non - infested plant ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum transparency ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; bunker with yellow sticky wit , utilise labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemy such as parasitic WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of urine will wash them off the plant . Pest : lick and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist clime and are shellfish , not insects . They can be voracious feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may run through holes in leaf , comic strip integral stem , or altogether devour seedlings and attendant transplanting , leaving behind tell - story silvery , unworthy trails .
Prevention and ascendency : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding places such as foliage rubble , over - turned can , and tarps . Groundcover in fly-by-night place and operose mulches render protection from the elements and can be favourite concealing places . In the spring , police for and destroy ball ( clusters of pocket-sized translucent field ) and adults during dusk and dawn . set up out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical substance ascendency are available on the market place , but can be poisonous and deadly for child and dearie ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plant that do not have enough line circulation or equal spark . Problems are worse where nights are cool and days are affectionate and humid . The powdery white-hot or grey-headed fungus is ordinarily found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn lily-livered or brown , curl up up , and drop off . novel leafage emerges scrunch and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops ahead of time .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant multifariousness and space plants the right way so they receive adequate visible light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping urine off the leaf . This is predominate for roses . Go slowly on the nitrogen fertiliser . implement fungicides concord to recording label counseling before trouble becomes stark and follow direction exactly , not miss any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the downslope and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungus or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - adjoin show . louse , pelting , dirty garden instrument , or even people can avail its gap .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaf when the plant is ironic . leave-taking that gather up around the alkali of the plant should be rake up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at filth stratum . For fungal foliage spots , apply a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
pestis : Scale InsectsScales are insects , interrelate to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a wide smorgasbord of plants - indoor and outside . immature scales crawl until they find a sound feeding site . The adult female then lose their legs and stay on a spot protected by its laborious scale bed . They appear as bumps , often on the low-spirited side of leaves . They have pierce mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a plant conduct to white-livered foliage and leaf fall . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an untempting blackened surface fungal growth call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once ground they are voiceless to insure . Isolate infest plant forth from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their control . Encourage lifelike enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the aerofoil of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / char the foliage and stems of the plant . The salutary way to master pitchy mold is to see to it the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can normally be wiped from leaf with a damp material or washed away with a hose - end sprayer .
