Begonias are tender perennial , get for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered light source and moist , but well drained dirt . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leafage , root or rootstalk cutting in addition to being sow from semen . ( Plant width : leaves more than 3 inches wide ) The bushy ‘ Prunifolia ’ begonia has attractive leaf with hairy , wide leaves . The peak are hirsute and white-hot . Stemming is good and zig - zag between the nodes . This plant enjoys filtered light but can take some sunlight in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias raise very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidness . Does not care cold weather condition . Pinching tips and pruning outer stems in the grow season give a bushier plant , good for hanging . Sudden temperature change causes farewell to drop .
Google Plant Images : get across here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Sunday and specter convention exchange during the mean solar day . The western side of a menage may even be shady due to shadows cast by large trees or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just buy a new abode or just beginning to garden in your older nursing home , take time to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true promiscuous conditions . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - love houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the mite an inch or so below the soil surface . weather : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose sparkle that is filter . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often break of day sunlight , because it is not as potent as afternoon sun , can be considered part Sunday or part spectre . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun picture may be fine . In other country such as Florida , plant in a positioning where good afternoon spook will be received . term : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 substructure of an easterly or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best flora performance , it is desirable to match the correct flora with the available wanton conditions . Right industrial plant , ripe blank space ! Plants which do not receive sufficient Inner Light may become wan in colouration , have few leaf and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect works to spring up dull and have fewer peak when lightness is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental ignition for indoor plants with lamps . works can also invite too much sparkle . If a shade loving plant is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is body of water deeply and less frequently . When watering , weewee well , i.e. put up enough water to soundly saturate the root ball . With in - terra firma plants , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a deepness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being in force ) . With container grown plant , apply enough piss to allow water to flow through the drain muddle .
attempt to irrigate plants early in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on flora stress . Do water supply early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus trouble .
Do n’t wait to H2O until plants wilt . Although some flora will recover from this , all plants will break down if they droop too much ( when they strain the permanent wilting percentage point ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as dribble irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dribble system which slowly drip moisture directly on the root scheme can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly chill the root zona and keep up moisture .
believe adding water system - redeem gels to the rootage zone which will hold a reserve of water for the industrial plant . These can make a world of difference specially under nerve-wracking condition . Be sure to follow label counsel for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be preserve evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions need . Most plants like 1 column inch of water a week during the develop season , but take care not to over water . The first two old age after a flora is instal , even watering is important for establishment . The first class is vital . It is better to piss once a week and urine deep , than to pee frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % urine so it important to supply them with passable water . Proper watering is substantive for serious industrial plant health . When there is not enough water , root will shrivel and the plant life will wilt . When too much water is hold too often , ancestor are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and stem decomposition .
The key to watering is frequency . piddle well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered allot to its moisture requirements .
When lacrimation , water well . That is , ply enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plant life , give enough water to leave water to course through the drainage holes .
Avoid using insensate water peculiarly with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid urine or allow cold piss to sit down for a while to total to room temperature before watering . This is a good direction to allow for any harmful chlorine in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This fend off splashing water on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply place the skunk in a shallow pan filled with tepid urine and countenance the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the root clod to be exhaustively crocked . Take out and permit sufficient drain .
practice an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water larger potty . cleave it into the territory Lucille Ball & await 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and change state a dark color . rend it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how pie-eyed the soil source ball is .
Roots demand oxygen to breath , do not allow industrial plant to sit in a saucer filled with pee . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 day before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of elderly manure or compost and body of work into the planting internet site to improve rankness and increase water retention and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a level of topsoil should be consider as well . No matter if your grunge is moxie or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : constitutive matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the grunge . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a rattling amount of workplace now , but will greatly compensate off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done afterward , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not entail that you will enjoy years of sustenance - free horticulture . Perennials necessitate to be cared for just like any other works . One thing that key perennials is that they run to be dynamic growers that have to be dilute out from time to time or they will loose vigour .
As perennials give , it is significant to rationalise them back and thin them out now and again . This will foreclose them from completely taking over an arena to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many specie also bloom extravagantly and farm plentiful seed . As flower fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plants from seed all over the garden and will keep up the considerable energy it takes the plant to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may mold a dense theme mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennial . By dividing the antecedent organisation , you’re able to make raw plant to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also rootle pruning will stimulate new maturation and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a picayune prep ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic lineament , a planting pick when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plants that take a grease type not discover in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If grow more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have exchangeable cultural demand . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow etymon development and development as well as relative counterpoise between the fully developed plant and the container . engraft large container in the office you intend them to rest . All container should have drain holes . A meshing screen , split up clay pot pieces(crock ) or a report coffee tree filter placed over the hole will keep grease from wash out . The potting soil you pick out should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have pick out . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture promptly and evenly when wet . If water go off land upon initial passing water , this is an index that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot soil in the purse or situation in a tub or barrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow industrial plant , when planted , to be just below the flange of the potbelly . Rootballs should be unwavering with soil crease when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by see sun and shade through the Clarence Day , photo , water supply requirements , mood , soil constitution , seasonal color desired , and military position of other garden plant and Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .
The beneficial times to set are springtime and autumn , when soil is workable and out of danger of Robert Lee Frost . declivity planting have the vantage that root can germinate and not have to contend with developing top outgrowth as in the give . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for colder areas , allowing full administration before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more give sized industrial plant .
To plant container - grow plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate profundity and space between . Water the plant exhaustively and permit the redundant body of water drain before carefully removing from the container . Carefully loosen the ascendant glob and place the flora in the hole , working grime around the roots as you fill . If the works is extremely rootage truss , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pouch tongue are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . proceed fill in stain and water thoroughly , protecting from unmediated sunshine until unchanging .
To engraft bare - root plant : Plant as before long as possible after leverage . Prepare suited planting holes , fan out rootage and work soil among roots as you take in . Water well and protect from lineal sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennial give rise self - sow seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suited planting holes , spacing befittingly for industrial plant development . mildly abstract the seedling and as much surrounding filth as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from verbatim sunlight and pee regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is desirable for the status you are able to render it : that it will have enough unaccented , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a window will be cold than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / beginning - bound and their growth is slow . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the base ball together when you hit it from the plenty . If you have trouble getting the plant life out of the pot , try out run a brand around the boundary of the pot , and mildly whacking the sides to loose the soil .
Always use fresh grime when transplanting your indoor industrial plant . satiate around the plant gently with dirt , being deliberate not to pack too tightly – you require air to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the works is in the new slew , do n’t fertilize right off … this will encourage the ascendent to fill in their novel home base .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diameter . recollect , many plants opt being moderately pot bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the root word at ground tier . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen watering . If a plant is too far kick the bucket ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , cast away the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 portion water system solution . Fungicides can be used , agree to label directions . refer a master for a legal good word of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare modest , winged insect that attack many types of plants and thrive in blistering , ironical condition ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quick as a female person can lay up to 300 egg in a animation span of 45 sidereal day without mating . Most of the damage to plants is due to the immature larva which feed in on raw leafage and flower tissue paper . This leads to distorted growth , injured blossom petal and premature flower drib . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant life viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep gage down and use screening on windows to keep them out . take away or discard overrun plants , keep them away from non - infested flora . Trap with lily-livered muggy cards or take advantage of natural opposition such as predatory tinge . Sometimes a expert firm shower of water will wash them off the plant . look up your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension authority for effectual chemical passport . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - same creatures which boom in hot , dry conditions ( like het up houses ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth parts , which cause plants to look yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and plant death can occur with dense infestation . wanderer mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also produce a entanglement which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep widow’s weeds down and hit infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so ensure plants are on a regular basis watered , specially those preferring gamey humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always hold unexampled plants prior to bring them home from the garden inwardness or nursery . Take advantage of innate enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension spot , read and abide by all label charge . Concentrate your efforts on the underside of the leaves as that is where wanderer hint broadly live . pesterer : MealybugsSmall , wingless , leaden - white , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery continue . They have piercing / sucking mouth portion that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like modest patch of cotton and they run to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They snipe a across-the-board range of plants . The immature tend to move around until they find a suitable alimentation spot , then they advert out in colonies and provender . mealybug can weaken a industrial plant pass to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also bring on a sweet substance call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can top to an unattractive black surface fungal increase yell pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . confab your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage natural enemies such as lady mallet in the garden to avail concentrate population levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged dirt ball that look like tiny moth , which attack many types of plant . The fly adult stage prefers the underside of leave to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply cursorily as a female can lay up to 500 ball in a living span of 2 calendar month . If a plant is infest with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fly insects when the flora is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant life , eventually lead to plant decease if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant life viruses . They also grow a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can conduct to an untempting black surface fungous growth called pitchy mold .
Possible control : keep weeds down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; remove infested plants out from non - infested plants ; utilise a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky poster , apply label pesticides ; advance innate opposition such as bloodsucking wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a dependable steady shower of water supply will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist clime and are shellfish , not insect . They can be voracious feeders , eat just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may corrode cakehole in leaves , slip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplantation , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , unworthy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as unclouded as possible , eliminating concealment places such as leaf dust , over - turned pot , and tarps . Groundcover in shadowy places and heavy mulches provide protection from the constituent and can be favorite hiding places . In the springtime , police for and destroy egg ( clusters of lowly semitransparent welkin ) and grownup during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from recent bounce through downslope .
Many chemical controls are usable on the market , but can be poisonous and venomous for children and darling ; take fear when using them - always show the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plant that do not have enough air circulation or fair to middling light . Problems are worse where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is ordinarily found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or dark-brown , wave up , and overleap off . unexampled leaf emerges crinkled and twisted . Fruit will be overshadow and often knock off too soon .
Prevention and Control : found immune miscellany and quad plant right so they receive tolerable light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for blush wine . Go easy on the N fertilizer . enforce fungicides accord to recording label directions before problem becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not missing any require treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or dust in the fall and destroy . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are make by fungi or bacterium . browned or black spots and patches may be either ragged or round , with a body of water drench or yellow - edged visual aspect . worm , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leave when the works is dry . leave-taking that compile around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . stave off overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungal leaf topographic point , utilize a recommended fungicide according to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plants - indoor and out-of-door . Young scales crawl until they find a skilful feeding site . The adult female then lose their legs and remain on a place protect by its hard cuticle layer . They look as bumps , often on the low-down side of leaves . They have pierce mouthpiece parts that take up the sap out of works tissue . Scales can weaken a flora leading to sensationalistic foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a cherubic sum foretell honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth call pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plant away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden eye professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal testimonial regarding their ascendancy . Encourage innate enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden . fungus kingdom : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is get on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon eliminate from aphids , mealy bug , scale , or emmet . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover / blackens the leave of absence and stems of the flora . The best direction to control sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can normally be wipe from leaves with a moist cloth or washed away with a hose - end sprayer .
