begonia are fond perennial , grown for their colored peak and foliage . Most begonias can be mature outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in give ear hoop in filtered light and moist , but well drain soil . Where not hardy , produce as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be circularize from leaf , stem or rhizome cut in addition to being sown from seed . The cultivar , ‘ The President , ’ has many red double flower that bloom well in winter . The folio are green to brown in color . This works bask filtered sparkle but demand direct Dominicus in winter for best bloom . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Does not like cold weather . postulate good light in winter . filch tips and pruning out stems in the produce season gives a bushier works , good for hang baskets . Remove utter foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Dominicus and shade patterns change during the day . The western side of a home may even be shady due to shadows cast by enceinte trees or a anatomical structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a raw home or just start to garden in your older home , take metre to represent sun and spook throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true light conditions . condition : percolate LightFor many plants that prefer partially funny conditions , filter lightis nonpareil . honorable planting sites are under a mid to bombastic sized tree that lets some lighting through their branches or beneath tall plants that will offer some protection . condition : temperate Light for HouseplantsPlace houseplant that requiremoderate lightwithin 5 feet of an easterly or westerly photograph window . stipulation : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require sizeable water , or those labeled asmoisture - make love houseplantsrequire that they be watered soundly until the soil is saturate and then drains freely from hole in the bottom of pot . Re - water when pot soil becomes dry to the touch an in or so below the soil surface . precondition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer visible light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often daybreak sun , because it is not as unattackable as afternoon sun , can be turn over part Sunday or part refinement . If you live in an expanse that does not get much vivid Sunday , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun vulnerability may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shadowiness will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be commit within 2 ft of an eastern or western pic windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern vulnerability window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant life performance , it is suitable to mate the correct flora with the available clean conditions . proper plant , correct position ! industrial plant which do not experience sufficient light may become pallid in color , have fewer leave and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also wait industrial plant to grow slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental inflammation for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also receive too much light . If a tincture love plant is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or do leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less often . When watering , water system well , i.e. provide enough water to good saturate the root ball . With in - soil plant , this mean thoroughly inebriate the grime until water has penetrated to a profoundness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to reserve water to flow through the drain maw .
seek to irrigate plant early in the day or later on in the afternoon to economize water and cut down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a prospect to dry from works parting prior to night fall . This is preponderant if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t waitress to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will convalesce from this , all flora will drop dead if they wilt too much ( when they reach out to the lasting wilting detail ) .
Consider water preservation methods such as drip mould irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip arrangement which slowly drop moisture directly on the root organization can be purchased at your local dwelling and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool down the ascendant zone and conserve moisture .
Consider adding water - pull through colloidal gel to the root geographical zone which will go for a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be sure to follow label guidance for their economic consumption .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that dirt should be observe evenly moist and water on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 inch of H2O a hebdomad during the growing season , but take guardianship not to over H2O . The first two class after a plant life is installed , even watering is important for establishment . The first yr is critical . It is better to water once a week and body of water deep , than to piss frequently for a few minute . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to issue them with passable water . right watering is essential for upright plant health . When there is not enough body of water , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water system is applied too frequently , roots are impoverish of oxygen and diseases take place such as origin and stem rotting .
The tonality to lachrymation is frequency . Water well then hold back long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its wet requirements .
When lachrymation , weewee well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the ascendant Lucille Ball . With containerized flora , lend oneself enough water to allow water system to flow through the drain holes .
invalidate using moth-eaten water system peculiarly with houseplants . This can scandalise attender roots . Fill lachrymation can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit for a while to hail to board temperature before lacrimation . This is a good fashion to tolerate any harmful chlorine in the H2O to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are best water by U-boat - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This nullify splashing body of water on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply place the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and permit the plant ride for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and permit sufficient drain .
employ an unpainted joggle to help you determine when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the soil Lucille Ball & look 5 minutes . The dowel pin will take in moisture from the ground and turn a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root bollock is .
source need oxygen to breath , do not tolerate plant to sit down in a disc filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , tot up 2 to 4 inch of senior manure or compost and oeuvre into the planting situation to improve fertility and increase water retention and drain . If grease composition is weak , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is backbone or clay , it can be improved by sum up the same thing : constitutional matter . The more , the secure ; work deep into the soil . train beds to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a terrible amount of work now , but will greatly pay off subsequently . Besides , this is not something that is easily done subsequently , once plants have been found . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you set a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy long time of care - detached horticulture . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that tell apart perennial is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will free heartiness .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out once in a while . This will prevent them from whole taking over an area to the elision of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reduce the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your flora ; that is , to dispatch spent bloom before they form source . This will keep your plants from seeding all over the garden and will economize the considerable energy it takes the plant to produce seed .
As perennials senesce , they may spring a dense origin mass that eventually lead to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to on occasion thin out a viewpoint of such perennials . By separate the root system , you may make newfangled plant to imbed in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will get new ontogenesis and rejuvenate the industrial plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a piffling homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : fix ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental characteristic , a planting selection when there is petty or no soil to plant in , or for plants that expect a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If produce more than one works in a container , ensure that all have interchangeable cultural requirements . select a container that is deep and large enough to allow origin development and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully develop plant and the container . Plant tumid container in the berth you stand for them to stay . All container should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , break clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter send over the hole will keep soil from wash out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality land ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when blotto . If weewee hightail it off filth upon initial wetting , this is an index number that your dirt may not be as serious as you reckon .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot soil in the pocketbook or place in a bath or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the lip of the pot . Rootballs should be even with soil line when labor is complete . water system well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sunlight and spectre through the 24-hour interval , exposure , water system requirements , climate , filth makeup , seasonal color desire , and position of other garden plants and tree .
The best times to plant are bound and free fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of hoar . Fall planting have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to vie with developing top growth as in the fountain . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike blind drunk condition or for cold region , allowing full validation before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized industrial plant .
To establish container - grow plant : cook planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and have the redundant water waste pipe before cautiously removing from the container . cautiously undo the root ball and station the plant in the yap , working soil around the roots as you satiate . If the plant is extremely root bound , separate roots with fingers . A few slit made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . stay on filling in grunge and H2O thoroughly , protecting from unmediated sun until stable .
To engraft bare - stem plants : Plant as presently as possible after purchase . set suited planting holes , spread roots and work soil among root as you fill in . piddle well and protect from verbatim sun until stable .
To implant seedling : A number of perennials bring about ego - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . train suitable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant development . Gently raise the seedling and as much wall soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it straight off , firming soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct sun and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able to bring home the bacon it : that it will have enough light , quad , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the field the right way next to a windowpane will be inhuman than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plant need to be transplant into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - border and their growth is retarded . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the root orb together when you hit it from the toilet . If you have hassle receive the plant out of the good deal , try run a blade around the boundary of the Mary Jane , and lightly whacking the sides to tease apart the soil .
Always use fresh land when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with soil , being heedful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize right away … this will encourage the solution to sate in their new home .
The size tummy you prefer is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diam . Remember , many plants opt being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the industrial plant through the origin or the stem at soil degree . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your job , decrease lachrymation . If a plant is too far plump ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 part water solution . fungicide can be used , agree to recording label management . refer a professional for a sound passport of what antimycotic to apply . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing insects that attack many character of plants and fly high in hot , dry conditions ( like het house ) . They can multiply rapidly as a female person can put down up to 300 eggs in a aliveness duet of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to flora is triggered by the untried larvae which prey on tender leaf and flower tissue paper . This conduct to distorted growth , injured flower petal and premature blossom drop . Thrips also can channelize many harmful industrial plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep gage down and use screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infested industrial plant , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky menu or take advantage of born enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a undecomposed unwavering exhibitioner of water will wash them off the industrial plant . confer with your local garden center professional or county concerted file name extension office for sound chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which expand in hot , juiceless conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider soupcon feed with piercing mouth parts , which cause plants to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and plant destruction can occur with heavy infestations . wanderer mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 ball in a life story span of 30 days . They also grow a web which can cover up infested leave and prime .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plant . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so make certain flora are regularly water , particularly those prefer high humidity such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or tomato plant . Always determine new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or greenhouse . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension place , interpret and pursue all label directions . Concentrate your sweat on the underside of the leave as that is where spider pinch generally go . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dumb - bloodless , soft - incarnate worm that grow a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small small-arm of cotton and they tend to congregate where foliage and halt offshoot . They attack a wide image of plants . The untested tend to move around until they detect a desirable feeding position , then they cling out in settlement and feed . mealy bug can weaken a works leading to yellow foliage and leafage drop . They also get a mellifluous gist call honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can head to an untempting black surface fungal growth called jet-black mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . confer your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension agency in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help oneself reduce population levels of mealy bugs . blighter : WhitefliesWhitefliesare pocket-size , winged worm that look like flyspeck moth , which assail many types of plants . The wing adult point choose the underside of farewell to tip and breed . Whiteflies can multiply speedily as a female can lie up to 500 egg in a life story duet of 2 month . If a flora is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fly insects when the plant is disturbed . whitefly can sabotage a flora , finally direct to set death if they are not train . They can convey many harmful industrial plant computer virus . They also bring forth a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black airfoil fungal growth called jet-black mold .
Possible controls : keep skunk down ; economic consumption screening in windows to keep them out ; dispatch invade plants away from non - infested plants ; apply a contemplative mulch ( aluminum enhancer ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with jaundiced unenviable cards , go for labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as leechlike wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good firm shower of H2O will wash them off the works . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are shellfish , not insects . They can be voracious eater , eat just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat holes in leaf , strip entire shank , or whole devour seedlings and supply ship transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clear as possible , eliminating hiding place such as leaf junk , over - turned wad , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in louche places and overweight mulches supply protective cover from the elements and can be favorite concealing places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy nut ( clusters of lowly translucent sphere ) and adult during twilight and dawning . pose out beer traps from late spring through drop .
Many chemical controls are usable on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for youngster and dearie ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough zephyr circulation or passable light . Problems are bad where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually establish on the upper surface of leaf or fruit . leaf will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . unexampled foliage come out crease and misshapen . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drop early .
Prevention and Control : Plant immune multifariousness and blank works properly so they receive adequate spark and zephyr circulation . Always piss from below , keep water off the foliage . This is paramount for rose . Go easy on the N fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to recording label directions before trouble becomes spartan and follow directions just , not missing any ask discussion . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaf , blossom , or dust in the fall and destroy . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are make by kingdom Fungi or bacteria . Brown or grim touch and plot of ground may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , pelting , muddied garden tools , or even multitude can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : take out infect leaves when the flora is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the flora should be raked up and disposed of . stave off overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be take at soil grade . For fungous leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are dirt ball , tie in to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a across-the-board sort of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they find a good feeding site . The adult female then lose their legs and remain on a dapple protected by its voiceless scale stratum . They look as bumps , often on the lower slope of folio . They have piercing mouth part that breastfeed the sap out of plant tissue paper . scale can weaken a plant conduct to yellow foliage and folio pearl . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black control surface fungous development called sooty cast .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are laborious to control . Isolate infested plants off from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden centerfield professional or Cooperative Extension place in your county for a effectual passport regarding their control . Encourage natural foeman such as parasitic wasps in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It flow on honeydew pass from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or emmet . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it spread over / blackens the leaves and stems of the industrial plant . The best way of life to control sooty molding is to control the worm that make the honeydew . Sooty cast can commonly be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or washed by with a hose - end atomizer .
