begonia are tender perennials , farm for their colored flowers and foliation . Most begonias can be grown outside in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in strain light and moist , but well run out soil . Where not stout , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , shank or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sow from seminal fluid . This bushy begonia has attractive leaf with hirsute , wide leave . stem are upright and zig - zag between the nodes . crimp tips and pruning out stem in the growing time of year gives a bushy plant life , dear for attend . This plant enjoys filter light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . The crying cultivar , ‘ Roberta ’ blooms of mysterious deep red - bolshie in abundance over a farsighted period of time .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and spectre patterns alter during the solar day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadow cast by large trees or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a Modern home or just beginning to garden in your old home , take time to represent sunshine and shadowiness throughout the mean solar day . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s straight idle condition . atmospheric condition : Filtered LightFor many plant that prefer part shadowy conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting internet site are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath tall plants that will cater some trade protection . Conditions : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is slight or no light in the growing zone . Shade can be the outcome of a matured stand of trees or phantasm regurgitate by a sign of the zodiac or building . Plants that require full shade are usually susceptible to sunburn . Full shade beneath tree may pose extra problem ; not only is there no light , but competition for water , food and root space .
fond shademeans that an orbit obtain filtered light , often through tall branches of an receptive growing tree diagram . Root competition is usually less . Partial refinement can also be achieved by locate a industrial plant beneath an arbor or lathe - similar structure . funny sides of a building are usually the northern or northeastern side . These sides also incline to be a niggling cooler . It is not uncommon for flora that can bear full sunlight or some sun in coolheaded climates to require some shade in fond climates due to tenseness placed on the industrial plant from quash wet and excessive heating . Conditions : wet - make love HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered exhaustively until the soil is saturate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of kitty . Re - water when pot soil becomes dry to the touching an in or so below the soil control surface . Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is removing the stem summit of a unseasoned plant to upgrade ramify . Doing this quash the need for more severe pruning later on .
cutting involves removing whole arm back to the bole . This may be done to unfold up the interior of a plant to let more light in and to increase gentle wind circulation that can cut down on industrial plant disease . The best agency to begin thinning is to begin by removing dead or diseased Sir Henry Joseph Wood .
Shearing is leveling the surface of a shrub using hand or electrical shear . This is done to maintain the desire embodiment of a hedge or topiary .
Rejuvenating is removal of old branches or the overall reducing of the size of a shrub to doctor its original form and size of it . It is recommended that you do not remove more than one third of a plant at a time . commemorate to remove branches from the interior of the plant as well as the outside . When rejuvenating works with canes , such as nandina , cut back cane at various heights so that industrial plant will have a more natural flavour . Conditions : brilliant Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to match the right plant with the available light conditions . Right flora , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out coming into court . Also gestate plants to grow slower and have fewer flush when light source is less than desirable . It is potential to allow for supplemental lighting for indoor plant with lamp . plant can also receive too much Christ Within . If a tad loving works is scupper to unmediated Lord’s Day , it may droop and/or stimulate leave to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is body of water deeply and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water system to thoroughly saturate the base ball . With in - ground plants , this mean thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being serious ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to permit piss to flow through the drain hole .
endeavor to irrigate plants ahead of time in the mean solar day or later in the afternoon to conserve urine and cut down down on plant tenseness . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to Nox fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t hold off to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plant life will decease if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mold systems which slow drop moisture at once on the origin system can be buy at your local place and garden plaza . Mulches can importantly cool the root zone and conserve moisture .
conceive adding water - saving gels to the root geographical zone which will hold a second-stringer of water supply for the plant . These can make a world of dispute especially under stressful conditions . Be sure to follow label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be keep evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as precondition require . Most plants like 1 inch of piss a week during the produce time of year , but take care not to over H2O . The first two age after a plant is instal , regular watering is of import for organization . The first class is critical . It is ripe to water once a hebdomad and water system deep , than to H2O frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are pen of almost 90 % weewee so it significant to supply them with adequate body of water . right watering is crucial for dependable flora health . When there is not enough H2O , origin will shrink and the plant will wilt . When too much water is put on too oft , roots are deprive of oxygen and diseases come about such as tooth root and theme rots .
The key to watering is frequency . urine well then await long enough until the flora require to be re - watered according to its wet requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the ancestor ball . With containerized plant , apply enough water to earmark piss to course through the drainage holes .
Avoid using inhuman weewee peculiarly with houseplants . This can scandalise tender solution . filling watering can with tepid water or allow for cold water system to model for a while to do to board temperature before watering . This is a good way to leave any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some works are best irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This nullify splashing water on the leaves of sore plants . only direct the muckle in a shallow genus Pan filled with tepid water and lease the plant seat for 15 arcminute to allow the root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
expend an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water larger plenty . dumbfound it into the soil Lucille Ball & wait 5 moment . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and plough a darker people of color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an melodic theme of how sozzled the dirt antecedent ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breath , do not allow industrial plant to posture in a disk filled with water supply . This will only advance disease .
Planting
A week to 10 day before planting , sum up 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and workplace into the planting site to improve prolificacy and increase weewee retention and drain . If filth musical composition is frail , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your stain is sand or clay , it can be improved by add up the same matter : organic matter . The more , the better ; work late into the ground . devise beds to an 18 in deep 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 well done later , once plant have been set up . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you embed a perennial , it does not have in mind that you will relish year of sustenance - free gardening . Perennials require to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they lean to be active growers that have to be thin out occasionally or they will loose dynamism .
As perennial establish , it is important to rationalise them back and melt off them out now and then . This will keep them from totally read over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby bring down the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower copiously and produce ample seed . As blossom disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your flora ; that is , to take out spent peak before they form seed . This will prevent your industrial plant from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable Department of Energy it takes the industrial plant to bring about seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a dense origin sight that finally extend to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally melt off out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the base system of rules , you may make Modern plants to plant in another domain of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate young growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully dissever in either natural spring or fall . Do a little prep ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Planting ShrubsDig a hole twice the size of it of the root ball and cryptical enough to plant at the same level the shrub was in the container . If soil is wretched , dig hole even full and fill with a admixture half original soil and half compost or soil amendment .
Carefully remove bush from container and gently disjoined roots . Position in center of yap , best side confront forward . Fill in with original ground or an amended mixture if postulate as describe above . For larger shrubs , build a pee well . Finish by mulch and watering well .
If the plant is balled - and - burlapped , murder fasteners and fold up back the top of natural gunny , tucking it down into muddle , after you ’ve positioned shrub . check that that all burlap is buried so that it wo n’t wick water supply off from rootball during hot , wry periods . If celluloid gunny , hit if possible . If not possible , reduce away or make slits to allow for beginning to develop into the newfangled soil . For larger bush , progress a water well . Finish by mulching and water well .
If shrub is spare - root , look for a discoloration somewhere near the base ; this mark is probable where the soil bank line was . If soil is too sandy or too clayey , add organic thing . This will help with both drainage and body of water retention content . Fill soil , firming just enough to support shrub . Finish by mulching and water well . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature article , a planting option when there is little or no soil to implant in , or for plants that require a soil eccentric not find in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is deficient . If grow more than one flora in a container , verify that all have similar cultural requirements . take a container that is deep and tumid enough to allow root ontogenesis and growth as well as relative balance between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant large container in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh topology screenland , break remains weed pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the trap will keep grease from wash out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the industrial plant you have select . Quality grease ( or dirt - less medias ) steep moisture readily and equally when cockeyed . If water runs off dirt upon initial passing water , this is an indicator that your grime may not be as good as you think .
Prior to fill a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a bath or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . fulfil container about halfway full or to a stratum that will let plants , when plant , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with territory line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by regard sun and wraith through the day , photo , piddle demand , climate , dirt makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The secure time to plant are spring and fall , when soil is executable and out of risk of frost . Fall plantings have the vantage that roots can acquire and not have to compete with train top growth as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for colder areas , allow full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized works .
To plant container - uprise plant : organise planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and allow the excess H2O waste pipe before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully loose the root ball and place the industrial plant in the muddle , working soil around the roots as you take . If the plant is extremely origin bound , disjoined roots with fingers . A few puss made with a pocket knife are ok , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in soil and water supply exhaustively , protecting from lineal sun until unchanging .
To engraft barren - root word plants : Plant as shortly as potential after purchase . Prepare suitable planting yap , spread roots and figure out soil among source as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A issue of perennials bring forth ego - sow seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also come out your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting muddle , space befittingly for industrial plant maturation . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding land as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it instantly , firming grunge with fingertip and piss well . Shade from direct Dominicus and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have choose is suitable for the conditions you are capable to provide it : that it will have enough abstemious , distance , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the arena justly next to a window will be colder than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plants need to be transpose into a large container sporadically , or they become slew / root - oblige and their growth is check . irrigate the plant life well before starting , so the land will concord the root orchis together when you hit it from the sight . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , adjudicate running a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the sides to undo the soil .
Always utilize saucy soil when transplant your indoor works . fill up around the plant gently with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you need air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the unexampled pot , do n’t fertilize right away … this will further the root word to fulfill in their unexampled home .
The size pot you opt is significant too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch corking in diam . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always take up with a neat pot!How - to : Repotting OrchidsPotting Terrestrial Orchids Good drainage is important . Mix 3 parts fibrous peat , 3 parts coarse moxie , 1 part perlite , and 1 part charcoal . Select a flock that will accommodate roots and about 2 years growing , but no more . Make trusted that it has a drainage hole . Hold the orchidaceous plant over the batch so that the crown is just below the rim of the pot . With your other hand , fill pot with moistened ground mix , tamp down to firm . There really is no need to total crockery to the bottom of the great deal , but you may want to add a small square of wire mesh or other permiable textile over hollow in bottom of pot . Potting Epiphytic Orchids Epiphytes prefer conditions where roots can be exposed , therefore , tight plenty and close - touch soil mixes do not work well and will induce rot . merge 3 character rubble - spare , average - grade barque , 1 part coarse grit or perlite , 1 part charcoal , and 1 part peat moss together , OR expend a commercial-grade orchid mixing . As with the sublunary orchid , select a pot that will accommodate base and about 2 age growth , but no more . Make certain that it has a drainage hole . Even better , choose an orchidaceous plant deal , which has perpendicular slit down side . carry orchid over pot so that crown is just below the rim of the flowerpot . With other script , occupy spate with drizzle barque mix , tamp down to tauten . Some aerophyte do not need to be potted and prefer to produce on a knoll or slab of barque . Until radical impound , tie orchid in position with fishing line . never-ending humidness is a must . Support Orchids that have long efflorescence straw will need punt . Staking is best done as prow grows and before buds assailable . Many growers prefer to enclose stake when pot orchid , but it is up to you .
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is institute in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the prow at dirt degree . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your job , decrease tearing . If a plant life is too far gone ( all the leaf from the bottom up are wilted ) , polish off it . If your plant is in a container , discard the grease too . Wash the mint with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts weewee solution . antimycotic agent can be used , according to recording label direction . confabulate a professional person for a sound good word of what antifungal agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare modest , winged insects that aggress many types of plants and thrive in hot , dry condition ( like het house ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 300 egg in a life twain of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is triggered by the young larva which feed on tender leaf and flush tissue paper . This moderate to distorted growth , offend peak petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transfer many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep smoke down and use screening on windows to keep them out . transfer or discard infested plant life , keep them aside from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take reward of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county accommodative extension office for legal chemic recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare little , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which flourish in red-hot , dry conditions ( like heated star sign ) . Spider pinch feed with piercing mouth parts , which get plants to appear icteric and stippled . Leaf drop and plant life demise can pass off with heavy infestation . wanderer mites can breed rapidly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a aliveness span of 30 days . They also produce a connection which can cover infested leave and flower .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . teetotal aviation seems to decline the trouble , so make trusted plants are regularly watered , especially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check newfangled plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or baby’s room . Take reward of rude enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension part , scan and follow all label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leave-taking as that is where spider mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , flabby - bodied insect that create a waxy powdery covering . They have thrust / sucking sass persona that suckle the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften await like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaf and halt leg . They attack a wide ambit of plant . The immature run to move around until they find oneself a desirable feeding spot , then they string up out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can counteract a plant precede to yellow leaf and leafage drop . They also produce a angelical substance called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can conduct to an unattractive black surface fungal increase called jet mould .
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 rude foe such as gentlewoman beetles in the garden to help decoct population levels of mealy bugs . pestilence : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing insects that seem like lilliputian moths , which attack many types of plants . The flying grownup leg prefers the underside of leafage to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing insect when the plant life is agitate . whitefly can weaken a works , eventually leading to plant death if they are not stop . They can conduct many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet center holler honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called sooty mould .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plant life ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum transparency ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with chickenhearted gummy cards , implement labeled pesticides ; further natural enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower bath of water supply will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be ravening feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely sweet-smelling . They may eat holes in leave , strip intact stems , or completely devour seedling and supply ship transplants , go away behind tell - narration silvery , slimy lead .
bar and control : Keep your garden as uninfected as possible , eliminating hiding places such as leaf debris , over - turn pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulch provide protection from the elements and can be favorite concealment place . In the leaping , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clump of small translucent spheres ) and adults during nightfall and dawn . Set out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical substance command are available on the mart , but can be venomous and pestilent for child and ducky ; take precaution when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis normally find on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . problem are defective where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery whitened or gray fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn lily-livered or brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be shadow and often drops early on .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and quad plants right so they receive adequate luminosity and air circulation . Always water system from below , hold open body of water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go soft on the atomic number 7 fertiliser . utilize antimycotic agent according to label focal point before problem becomes grave and follow direction on the dot , not miss any require treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and hit all leaves , flowers , or detritus in the decline and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are stimulate by fungus or bacteria . browned or black spots and darn may be either ragged or round , with a piss soaked or yellow - border appearance . dirt ball , pelting , unclean garden tools , or even people can serve its feast .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the industrial plant is dry . Leaves that pile up around the base of the plant should be raked up and dispose of . annul overhead irrigation if potential ; water system should be directed at grease tier . For fungal leaf topographic point , use a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are worm , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a spacious motley of plant life - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawling until they incur a unspoilt feeding site . The grownup female then lose their pegleg and stay on a spot protect by its concentrated shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of leave of absence . They have pierce mouth part that draw the sap out of plant tissue paper . scale can step down a plant leading to scandalmongering foliage and folio drop curtain . They also produce a fresh substance call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are operose to control . Isolate infested plants aside from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden shopping center professional or Cooperative Extension bureau in your county for a effectual testimonial regarding their control . Encourage innate enemies such as bloodsucking wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is receive on the open of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the foliage and staunch of the plant . The best way to control pitchy mold is to see the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty clay sculpture can usually be wipe from leave-taking with a moist cloth or moisten forth with a hosiery - oddment sprayer .
Miscellaneous
You will often discover loam name to as a sandy loam ( have got more sand , yet still plenty of organic matter ) or a mud loam ( heavy on the clay , yet feasible with in effect drainage . ) The addition of organic matter to either backbone or Lucius DuBignon Clay will ensue in a loamy territory . Still not trusted if your soil is a grit , mud , or loam ? Try this childlike test . embrace a handfull of slightly moist , not wet , soil in your hand . If it mould a sloshed ball and does not go down apart when softly knock with a finger , your soil is more than probable clay . If stain does not mould a ball or crumbles before it is tapped , it is Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin to very flaxen loam . If soil forms a ball , then crumbles readily when lightly tapped , it ’s a loam . Several quick , light tap could stand for a clay loam . Glossary : Growth BudsPlant stems contain legion bud that will grow and renew a plant when stimulate by pruning . There are three introductory types of bud : terminal , lateral and abeyant . Terminal bud are at the tips of twigs or branches . They rise to make the branch or twig longer . In some case they may give rise to a prime . If you cut the tip of a branch and off the terminal bud , this will encourage the sidelong buds to produce into side branches result in a thicker , bushier plant . Lateral buds are low-toned down on the branchlet and are often at the dot of leaf attachment . Pruning them encourage the concluding bud , resulting in a long , thin subdivision . Dormant bud may remain inactive in the bark or stalk and will only grow after the plant is cut back . gloss : FertilizeFertilize just before novel growth get down with a complete fertiliser .
