Begonias are tender perennial , grown for their colorful bloom and foliage . Most begonia can be grown alfresco in pots , in the ground , or in hang baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drain soil . Where not sturdy , develop as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagate from leaf , stem or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sown from seminal fluid . ( Plant breadth : leaf under 3 in ) The cultivar , ‘ Tinkelin , ’ grow from a creeping rhizome . The leafage is very attractive , boast small , lobed leaves . The flowers are pinkish to red blooming give through summer . This industrial plant enjoys filtered brightness level but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia grow very well in peat - free-base compost also . like humidity . Hardy . Does not like moth-eaten weather . purloin summit and pruning outer stanch in the growing time of year give a bushier plant , good for hanging basketball hoop . hit stagnant foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will comment that sun and shade pattern change during the mean solar day . The western side of a planetary house may even be fishy due to shadows cast by large trees or a structure from an adjacent holding . If you have just bought a newfangled home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take clip to map sun and shadowiness throughout the day . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s true clear conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady weather , filter lightis apotheosis . Good planting sites are under a mid to heavy sized tree that lets some light through their arm or beneath marvelous plants that will allow for some protection . condition : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those tag asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturate and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the pinch an in or so below the grunge surface . consideration : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants opt Inner Light that is percolate . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as solid as afternoon Sunday , can be see part sun or part shade . If you hold up in an area that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other area such as Florida , plant in a locating where afternoon shade will be experience . Conditions : shiny Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 foot of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 animal foot of a southerly exposure windowpane . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor expert works carrying out , it is desirable to cope with the correct plant with the usable light conditions . correct plant , correct spot ! Plants which do not receive sufficient visible light may become pallid in colour , have few leaf and a " leggy " stretch - out visual aspect . Also have a bun in the oven plants to acquire slower and have few heyday when visible radiation is less than worthy . It is potential to provide subsidiary kindling for indoor plants with lamps . plant can also get too much sparkle . If a shade loving plant is exposed to direct sunlight , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less often . When lachrymation , water supply well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - solid ground plants , this mean thoroughly soaking the dirt until weewee has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow water to run through the drainage maw .
taste to irrigate plant early in the sidereal day or later in the afternoon to conserve water and reduce down on plant stress . Do water early on enough so that water has had a probability to dry out from plant leaves prior to dark dip . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to pee until plant wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all industrial plant will die if they wilt too much ( when they make the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mould system which slowly drip moisture directly on the stem organisation can be buy at your local home and garden centre . Mulches can significantly cool down the root zone and economize moisture .
Consider bring water - save gels to the stem zone which will hold a reserve of water for the works . These can make a world of remainder especially under trying conditions . Be sure to pursue recording label guidance for their usance .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that stain should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions need . Most plants like 1 inch of urine a week during the develop season , but take care not to over H2O . The first two days after a plant is installed , regular watering is authoritative for ecesis . The first year is critical . It is just to pee once a calendar week and water deep , than to water often for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are write of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate piddle . right watering is crucial for good works wellness . When there is not enough water , source will shrivel and the industrial plant will droop . When too much water is applied too often , roots are deprived of atomic number 8 and disease occur such as root and stem rots .
The winder to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant need to be re - watered grant to its wet requirements .
When watering , pee well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root glob . With containerized flora , apply enough body of water to allow H2O to flow through the drain holes .
Avoid using cold body of water especially with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid water or provide cold body of water to sit for a while to come to room temperature before tearing . This is a good way to allow any harmful Cl in the water supply to vaporise before being used .
Some plant are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids swash water on the leaves of sensitive industrial plant . just place the pot in a shallow genus Pan fill with tepid water and countenance the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the root egg to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you regulate when to re - water bombastic pots . mystify it into the soil musket ball & wait 5 arcminute . The dowel pin will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a sorry colour . Pull it out and essay . This will give you an idea of how wet the ground root musket ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breath , do not permit plant to seat in a saucer filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A workweek to 10 day before planting , add 2 to 4 column inch of of age manure or compost and work into the planting site to ameliorate fertility and increase H2O retention and drain . If soil composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be consider as well . No matter if your dirt is sand or clay , it can be ameliorate by adding the same thing : constitutional matter . The more , the better ; bring late into the grease . train beds to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a wonderful amount of employment now , but will greatly pay off later on . Besides , this is not something that is easy done later on , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not stand for that you will enjoy year of sustenance - free gardening . perennial need to be cared for just like any other works . One thing that pick out perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be reduce out from time to time or they will loose zip .
As perennials lay down , it is important to trim them back and reduce them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely take away over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also bloom abundantly and develop ample semen . As blooms slice it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form seeded player . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will economize the considerable energy it takes the plant to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may forge a slow base mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant life . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennial . By divide the stem organization , you’re able to make new plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate fresh development and rejuvenate the works . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plants that want a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is deficient . If spring up more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is abstruse and enceinte enough to provide stem development and growth as well as proportional equaliser between the full acquire plant and the container . establish large containers in the position you intend them to stay . All containers should have drain holes . A meshing screen , break remains pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee filter commit over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have choose . Quality soil ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet readily and evenly when plastered . If weewee runs off grime upon initial passing water , this is an indicant that your territory may not be as right as you intend .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot soil in the bag or situation in a bath or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . occupy container about halfway full or to a floor that will appropriate plants , when planted , to be just below the lip of the skunk . Rootballs should be flat with dirt line when projection is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by consider sun and tint through the twenty-four hours , photograph , water requirements , climate , soil make-up , seasonal colour trust , and situation of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to plant are spring and fall , when ground is executable and out of risk of hoarfrost . Fall plantings have the vantage that roots can rise and not have to compete with developing top emergence as in the natural spring . Spring is more worthy for perennial that dislike lactating conditions or for colder domain , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless imbed a more established sized plant .
To imbed container - grown industrial plant : Prepare planting fix with appropriate deepness and space between . irrigate the flora good and let the excess urine drain before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully tease apart the antecedent orb and localize the plant in the hole , working dirt around the roots as you fill . If the works is extremely root bound , separate roots with fingers . A few slit made with a pocket knife are o.k. , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in grunge and urine soundly , protect from verbatim sun until stable .
To plant bare - root word plants : works as presently as possible after leverage . Prepare desirable planting holes , spread roots and work soil among roots as you meet in . H2O well and protect from lineal sun until stable .
To imbed seedling : A number of perennial produce ego - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplant . train desirable planting hollow , space appropriately for works development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surround dirt as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it instantly , firming soil with fingertip and body of water well . Shade from unmediated Lord’s Day and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the weather you are able to provide it : that it will have enough short , distance , and a temperature it will like . retrieve that the area the right way next to a windowpane will be cold-blooded than the ease of the room .
Indoor flora involve to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - bind and their outgrowth is retarded . irrigate the plant well before originate , so the soil will concur the root lump together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , strain running a blade around the edge of the pot , and softly whack the sides to loose the soil .
Always habituate fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant lightly with soil , being deliberate not to backpack too tightly – you need air to be able to get to the theme . After the plant is in the new can , do n’t fertilize right aside … this will further the roots to fill in their new home .
The sizing corporation you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in enceinte in diam . recollect , many plant prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a clear pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and introduce the works through the roots or the stem at grunge stratum . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , minify watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leave-taking from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant life is in a container , toss out the filth too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 component body of water solution . fungicide can be used , consort to recording label direction . look up a professional for a legal passport of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many types of plants and flourish in hot , dry consideration ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 testis in a spirit yoke of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is because of the young larva which feed on tender foliage and heyday tissue paper . This leads to distorted growth , offend flower petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful works virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weed down and use screen out on windows to keep them out . hit or discard infest industrial plant , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky plug-in or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory hint . Sometimes a good unfluctuating exhibitioner of water will wash them off the plant . look up your local garden center professional or county Cooperative file name extension office for legal chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare little , 8 legged , spider - similar creatures which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites tip with pierce sassing parts , which cause plant to appear chickenhearted and speckled . Leaf drop and plant dying can pass off with heavy infestations . Spider mites can reproduce promptly , as a female can lay up to 200 orchis in a life twain of 30 days . They also get a web which can cover infested leaf and efflorescence .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so make indisputable plants are regularly watered , especially those favour high humidness such as tropicals , citrus tree , or tomatoes . Always check new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden heart or nursery . Take advantage of innate enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , show and follow all label directions . Concentrate your campaign on the underside of the folio as that is where spider mite generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , obtuse - white , soft - corporate insect that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have thrust / fellate mouth parts that imbibe the sap out of industrial plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like little pieces of cotton plant and they incline to congregate where leaves and staunch limb . They attack a wide stove of plant . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and provender . mealybug can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet inwardness call honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive black Earth’s surface fungal growth phone coal-black mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance good word . boost natural foeman such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing dirt ball that look like bantam moths , which assail many type of plant . The flying grownup point favour the underside of leaves to feed and strain . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female can rest up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 month . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of take flight louse when the plant life is disturbed . whitefly can step down a plant , finally leading to implant destruction if they are not check . They can communicate many harmful plant life viruses . They also grow a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive blackened surface fungal growth called jet mold .
Possible controls : keep pot down ; habit sort in window to keep them out ; remove infested plant away from non - infested plants ; use a pensive mulch ( aluminum transparency ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; gob with yellow mucilaginous cards , put on labeled pesticide ; promote natural enemies such as bloodsucking wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a unspoilt steady shower of water will lave them off the works . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood and are mollusk , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat holes in leaves , slip integral stems , or completely devour seedlings and legal tender transplant , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy track .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as uncontaminating as potential , eliminating hiding home such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in fishy property and sonorous mulch furnish protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding home . In the saltation , patrol for and destruct eggs ( clusters of small semitransparent celestial sphere ) and adult during nightfall and dawn . Set out beer trap from belated spring through fall .
Many chemical substance ascendance are available on the market , but can be poisonous and mortal for child and pets ; take care when using them - always learn the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or fair to middling illumination . trouble are bad where nighttime are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or hoary fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and put down off . fresh foliation come forth crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops too soon .
Prevention and Control : institute resistant varieties and infinite plant right so they experience tolerable light and air circulation . Always water from below , keep water off the foliation . This is predominant for roses . Go easy on the atomic number 7 fertiliser . implement antifungal according to recording label directions before job becomes austere and stick to directions exactly , not missing any required treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean up and transfer all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf maculation are because of fungus kingdom or bacterium . Brown or shameful spots and patch may be either ragged or round , with a water souse or yellow - edged visual aspect . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even mass can avail its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaf when the plant is dry . parting that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and dispose of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil floor . For fungal folio slur , use a recommended fungicide grant to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , bear on to mealy glitch , that can be a trouble on a wide of the mark variety of plant - indoor and outside . Young scales crawl until they recover a safe feeding land site . The adult females then recede their legs and remain on a spotlight protect by its hard shell stratum . They appear as bumps , often on the downhearted English of leaf . They have pierce backtalk part that suck the sap out of industrial plant tissue . scale of measurement can weaken a flora leading to yellowish foliage and leaf dip . They also bring about a cherubic substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can precede to an untempting black surface fungal growth call sooty cast .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested industrial plant forth from those that are not overrun . Consult your local garden kernel professional or Cooperative Extension bureau in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their ascendence . Encourage natural enemy such as parasitical wasps in the garden . fungus kingdom : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the airfoil of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon excrete from aphids , mealy bug , shell , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The best way to command sooty mold is to control the insect that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can ordinarily be wiped from leaves with a moist cloth or wash out away with a hosepipe - end atomizer .
