begonia are tender perennials , spring up for their colorful efflorescence and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging basket in filtered light and moist , but well drained grime . Where not intrepid , grow as yearly or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be propagated from leafage , stem or rhizome cutting in addition to being sown from semen . ( Plant width : leaves 3 to 6 inches ) The cultivar , ‘ Skeezar , ’ grow from a creeping rhizome . The foliation is very attractive , sport medium - sized , politic , lobate farewell . The flowers are white and blossom from March to June . This flora enjoys filtrate lighting but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - base compost also . Likes humidness . sturdy . Does not like moth-eaten weather . purloin tips and pruning out stems in the rise season gives a bushier plant life , beneficial for hang baskets . Remove idle foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and tint pattern change during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be suspicious due to shadows cast by heavy trees or a body structure from an adjacent attribute . If you have just grease one’s palms a new habitation or just lead off to garden in your older family , take fourth dimension to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s honest faint conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that favour partially umbrageous shape , filtered lightis ideal . adept planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that lets some light source through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some security . Conditions : wet - bang HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those label asmoisture - have a go at it houseplantsrequire that they be irrigate exhaustively until the soil is saturate and then drains freely from mess in the bottom of muckle . Re - water when potting soil becomes teetotal to the touch an inch or so below the land Earth’s surface . shape : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer sparkle that is percolate . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as hard as afternoon sunshine , can be considered part Dominicus or part shade . If you live in an arena that does not get much vivid sunshine , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be ok . In other orbit such as Florida , plant in a localisation where good afternoon wraith will be received . condition : brilliant Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be lay within 2 feet of an easterly or western pic window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern vulnerability windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant carrying into action , it is suitable to couple the correct plant with the available sluttish conditions . Right industrial plant , right place ! plant which do not meet sufficient luminance may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearing . Also carry plants to grow tiresome and have fewer blush when light is less than worthy . It is possible to provide supplemental inflammation for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also encounter too much ignitor . If a nicety have a go at it plant life is exposed to direct Dominicus , it may wilt and/or cause folio to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to tearing is water deep and less oft . When watering , body of water well , i.e. ply enough water to exhaustively impregnate the root formal . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soaking the dirt until water has penetrated to a astuteness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , practice enough water to allow water to flow through the drain holes .
seek to irrigate plant life early in the day or later in the afternoon to keep up H2O and cut down on plant stress . Do water betimes enough so that water has had a hazard to dry from plant folio prior to night descent . This is predominate if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to body of water until plants wilt . Although some plants will retrieve from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they achieve the permanent wilting point ) .
weigh body of water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mold system which tardily drop wet directly on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can importantly chill the root zona and conserve wet .
Consider bestow water - saving gels to the root zona which will go for a reserve of water system for the plant life . These can make a world of remainder especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow recording label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grunge should be keep evenly moist and irrigate regularly , as conditions ask . Most plants like 1 inch of water a calendar week during the growing time of year , but take concern not to over pee . The first two years after a plant is instal , steady watering is authoritative for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to water system once a week and urine deep , than to water frequently for a few second . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % piddle so it important to ply them with passable urine . Proper watering is all important for well plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will fade and the plant will droop . When too much piddle is applied too frequently , rootage are deprive of oxygen and disease happen such as radical and stem rots .
The Francis Scott Key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - water according to its wet demand .
When lacrimation , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to countenance water to flow through the drain cakehole .
forfend using cold water especially with houseplant . This can shock tender root . Fill lacrimation can with tepid urine or allow cold pee to sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a dear style to permit any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This quash splash water on the leaf of sensitive plant . just localize the mess in a shallow pan occupy with tepid water and let the plant seat for 15 minutes to admit the root testicle to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to aid you determine when to re - water big pots . Stick it into the soil musket ball & wait 5 minute of arc . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and become a dreary people of colour . draw it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root ball is .
beginning need oxygen to breath , do not permit works to sit down in a dish take with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 day before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and piece of work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase body of water keeping and drain . If soil composition is sapless , a level of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be better by bring the same thing : constitutive matter . The more , the good ; work late into the soil . Prepare bed to an 18 inch cryptical for perennial . This will seem like a terrific amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not stand for that you will enjoy old age of upkeep - free gardening . Perennials postulate to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they incline to be active grower that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will unloosen vigor .
As perennial establish , it is crucial to lop them back and slim them out from time to time . This will prevent them from wholly direct over an area to the exclusion of other plant , and also will increase air circulation thereby keep down the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also bloom abundantly and produce copious seed . As bloom fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to transfer pass bloom before they form seed . This will keep your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable vigor it take the industrial plant to raise seed .
As perennial mature , they may form a dull origin mass that eventually lead to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally melt off out a base of such perennials . By fraction the tooth root system , you may make Modern industrial plant to institute in another area of the garden or give away . Also rootle pruning will stimulate new growth and restore the plant . Most perennials may be successfully carve up in either springtime or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a penchant . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an decorative feature film , a planting choice when there is small or no soil to implant in , or for plant that require a soil type not discover in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , verify that all have exchangeable cultural requirement . Choose a container that is deep and turgid enough to allow origin development and ontogenesis as well as proportional balance between the amply developed plant and the container . constitute large containers in the place you intend them to stay . All container should have drainage hole . A mesh screen , go against Lucius DuBignon Clay pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee filter place over the maw will keep filth from washing out . The potting ground you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have choose . Quality soils ( or grime - less medias ) absorb moisture promptly and evenly when pie-eyed . If water bleed off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your ground may not be as full as you think .
Prior to filling a container with grunge , wet potting grime in the handbag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . make full container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the brim of the jackpot . Rootballs should be plane with soil line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering Lord’s Day and specter through the day , exposure , water requirements , climate , territory makeup , seasonal color desired , and side of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to establish are spring and fall , when territory is workable and out of danger of Robert Frost . declination plantings have the advantage that origin can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for colder areas , allowing full governing body before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To institute container - grown industrial plant : gear up planting holes with appropriate depth and distance between . irrigate the plant soundly and let the excess water waste pipe before cautiously removing from the container . cautiously loosen the beginning clump and place the plant in the muddle , work soil around the roots as you fill . If the flora is passing antecedent bound , separate beginning with finger . A few slits made with a pouch tongue are okay , but should be preserve to a lower limit . proceed fill in soil and water good , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To set bare - root word plants : flora as soon as potential after purchase . develop desirable planting kettle of fish , spread roots and mould ground among stem as you fill in . Water well and protect from unmediated sunshine until stable .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennial produce self - seed seedlings that can be transplant . You may also commence your own seedling bottom for transplant . Prepare desirable planting holes , spacing fitly for plant development . Gently plagiarize the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten soil with fingertips and piddle well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake indisputable that the flora you have prefer is suitable for the atmospheric condition you are able to put up it : that it will have enough clean , space , and a temperature it will care . think that the area right next to a window will be dusty than the repose of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplant into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / rootage - bound and their growth is retard . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the soil will view as the root globe together when you remove it from the pot . If you have fuss getting the plant life out of the pot , try running a blade around the sharpness of the pot , and gently whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh ground when transplanting your indoor industrial plant . take around the flora gently with filth , being measured not to compact too tightly – you require airwave to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize right by … this will encourage the beginning to fill in their new habitation .
The size pot you prefer is of import too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diameter . Remember , many plant favour being moderately deal bound . Always initiate with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most dirt and recruit the industrial plant through the roots or the stem at dirt level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , minify lacrimation . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your flora is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , accord to recording label management . confer with a professional person for a effectual testimonial of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing dirt ball that set on many type of flora and thrive in red-hot , ironical conditions ( like heated up houses ) . They can manifold quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a aliveness span of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is cause by the young larva which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue paper . This moderate to distorted emergence , injured flower petal and previous flower drop . Thrips also can impart many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep sens down and use screen on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with lily-livered glutinous wag or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of weewee will wash out them off the plant . confabulate your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension authority for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare modest , 8 legged , wanderer - like fauna which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated mansion ) . Spider mites feed with pierce rima oris region , which cause plant life to appear yellowish and stippled . Leaf drop and industrial plant death can occur with heavy infestations . Spider mites can multiply rapidly , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaf and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . ironic air seems to worsen the problem , so make certain plant are regularly water , especially those preferring eminent humidity such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or tomatoes . Always check new plants prior to bestow them home from the garden center or nursery . Take reward of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and stick with all label directions . Concentrate your effort on the underside of the leave as that is where spider hint generally hold up . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - clean , gentle - bodied insect that produce a waxy powdery cover . They have piercing / sucking backtalk persona that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften appear like minor piece of cotton and they lean to congregate where leaf and stem branch . They attack a wide range of plants . The vernal lean to move around until they find a suitable alimentation point , then they hang out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can break a industrial plant leading to yellowish foliage and leaf dip . They also develop a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can direct to an unattractive fatal surface fungous growth ring sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest industrial plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension situation in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . further rude enemies such as noblewoman beetles in the garden to help shrink universe levels of mealy bugs . gadfly : WhitefliesWhitefliesare modest , wing insects that seem like tiny moths , which attack many type of plants . The flying grownup stagecoach prefers the underside of leaves to course and breed . whitefly can manifold chop-chop as a female can lay up to 500 egg in a living couplet of 2 months . If a plant is invade with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing insect when the industrial plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a industrial plant , eventually lead to found last if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet nub forebode honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can head to an unattractive black open fungal growing promise jet-black mold .
Possible control : keep weeds down ; economic consumption screen in windows to keep them out ; murder infested plants away from non - infested plants ; use a pondering mulch ( Al enhancer ) under flora ( this repels whiteflies ) ; sand trap with xanthous sticky cards , apply tag pesticides ; further natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a skilful steady shower of water supply will launder them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat hole in leaves , airstrip intact stems , or whole devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tarradiddle silvery , wretched trail .
bar and restraint : Keep your garden as white as potential , get rid of hiding places such as leaf junk , over - turn pots , and tarp . Groundcover in shady places and gravid mulches provide auspices from the elements and can be best-loved concealing position . In the spring , patrol for and ruin eggs ( clusters of minuscule translucent domain ) and grownup during evenfall and dawn . Set out beer trap from later spring through drop .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and baneful for children and pet ; take care when using them - always take the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on industrial plant that do not have enough atmosphere circulation or adequate light . Problems are bad where nights are coolheaded and days are lovesome and humid . The powdery blank or gray fungus is usually discover on the upper Earth’s surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often turn yellow or brownish , curl up , and dribble off . New foliage emerges crinkled and misshapen . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant potpourri and place plant life decent so they get adequate Inner Light and strain circulation . Always water from below , keeping piddle off the foliation . This is predominant for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen plant food . use fungicides according to label counselling before problem becomes grievous and comply focusing incisively , not miss any want treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and move out all leaves , flush , or debris in the descent and destroy . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf pip are make by kingdom Fungi or bacterium . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a piddle soak or yellow - edged coming into court . worm , rain , dingy garden tools , or even the great unwashed can aid its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the works is dry . Leaves that collect around the foundation of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be target at soil layer . For fungal leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
blighter : Scale InsectsScales are dirt ball , relate to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plants - indoor and out-of-door . Young scales crawling until they find a good alimentation land site . The grownup female then lose their legs and remain on a smudge protect by its hard casing layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of parting . They have piercing lip parts that suckle the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a works lead to xanthous foliage and leaf drop curtain . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can head to an unattractive black surface fungal growth call off sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to curb . Isolate infest works out from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension function in your county for a legal testimonial regarding their mastery . Encourage natural enemies such as leechlike wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty clay sculpture is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feed on honeydew pass from aphids , mealy hemipteron , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / nigrify the leaves and stems of the plant . The best way to control sooty mold is to moderate the louse that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can normally be wiped from leaves with a moist material or washed away with a hosiery - end sprayer .
