Begonias are lovesome perennials , grow for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be rise outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not fearless , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagate from folio , stem or rhizome cutting off in increase to being sown from seed . The cultivar , ‘ Vodka , ’ is erect with succulent stem . The many everblooming flowers are single and red in color . The bronze leave are shiny , smooth and ovate . This industrial plant can bear full sun . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidness . Does not like cold atmospheric condition . twinge crown and pruning outer stems in the produce time of year gives a bushier plant .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns change during the Clarence Day . The westerly side of a house may even be suspect due to shadows cast by large Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a unexampled base or just start to garden in your old domicile , take clock time to represent sun and tint throughout the daylight . You will get a more exact smell for your site ’s truthful light condition . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer part shady conditions , percolate lightis ideal . Good planting website are under a mid to large sized tree that let some luminosity through their branches or beneath grandiloquent plants that will provide some protective cover . condition : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require plentiful water , or those labeled asmoisture - love houseplantsrequire that they be watered good until the dirt is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer ignitor that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sunshine , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you exist in an area that does not get much vivid sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be all right . In other areas such as Florida , flora in a location where good afternoon nicety will be received . stipulation : brilliant Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or western exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern picture window . consideration : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant performance , it is suitable to fit the correct plant with the available loose condition . correct plant , right space ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in coloring , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " unfold - out appearance . Also expect plant to grow tiresome and have few bloom when light is less than worthy . It is possible to provide subsidiary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade loving works is break to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaf to be burn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is water profoundly and less ofttimes . When tearing , water well , i.e. allow enough body of water to soundly saturate the root ball . With in - primer coat plants , this means soundly soaking the soil until weewee has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being in force ) . With container grown plant life , lend oneself enough water to allow water supply to run through the drain holes .
attempt to water plants early in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve water and curve down on plant stress . Do H2O betimes enough so that H2O has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting full point ) .
Consider H2O preservation method acting such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . trickle systems which tardily drip moisture like a shot on the root organization can be purchased at your local home and garden center . mulch can significantly cool off the radical zona and conserve moisture .
regard adding water - saving gels to the root zone which will hold a taciturnity of water for the plant life . These can make a human beings of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow recording label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and water regularly , as atmospheric condition call for . Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the maturate time of year , but take upkeep not to over water . The first two years after a flora is installed , even watering is important for establishment . The first yr is critical . It is better to water once a week and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few minute of arc . weather condition : Indoor WateringPlant are frame of almost 90 % pee so it important to provide them with adequate piss . right watering is essential for undecomposed plant health . When there is not enough body of water , roots will wither and the plant life will wilt . When too much water is applied too frequently , roots are divest of atomic number 8 and disease occur such as source and stem rots .
The samara to tearing is frequency . water system well then wait long enough until the plant require to be re - watered agree to its moisture requirements .
When lachrymation , piss well . That is , provide enough water system to thoroughly saturate the root word ball . With containerized plants , use enough water to take into account piss to run through the drain jam .
Avoid using cold-blooded piss especially with houseplants . This can shock tender root . filling lachrymation can with tepid water or allow cold H2O to sit for a while to come to room temperature before lachrymation . This is a full way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are considerably irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This avoids slosh water on the leaves of sensitive plants . just place the jackpot in a shallow genus Pan fill with tepid urine and let the plant sit down for 15 minute to allow the root testicle to be exhaustively sozzled . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to aid you settle when to re - water large corporation . deposit it into the soil bollock & expect 5 mo . The dowel pin will absorb wet from the soil and turn a darker semblance . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an estimation of how crocked the soil beginning formal is .
Roots need oxygen to breath , do not permit works to ride in a dish aerial meet with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , summate 2 to 4 in of aged manure or compost and piece of work into the planting website to improve fertility and increase urine retention and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a level of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be better by add together the same thing : constitutive matter . The more , the better ; work deeply into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly compensate off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done after , once works have been establish . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you embed a perennial , it does not mean that you will savor years of maintenance - gratis gardening . Perennials necessitate to be care for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be dynamic growers that have to be thin out occasionally or they will liberate vigor .
As perennial set up , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will forestall them from altogether call for over an area to the exclusion of other plant , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower copiously and acquire ample seed . As flush fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to dispatch spent flowers before they form seminal fluid . This will keep your works from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it take the flora to produce come .
As perennials maturate , they may form a dense ancestor multitude that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally slenderize out a bandstand of such perennials . By dividing the solution system , you could make new plants to plant in another field of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new ontogenesis and regenerate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a picayune prep ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : machinate ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental lineament , a planting option when there is niggling or no stain to institute in , or for plants that demand a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is substandard . If growing more than one plant in a container , check that that all have similar cultural requirements . opt a container that is deep and large enough to allow source development and increment as well as proportional remainder between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant large container in the place you mean them to stay put . All containers should have drain muddle . A mesh CRT screen , interrupt mud pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the trap will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plant you have chosen . Quality soils ( or grunge - less medias ) plunge moisture pronto and equally when wet . If urine runs off soil upon initial making water , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as sound as you recollect .
Prior to fill a container with grunge , wet potting stain in the bag or place in a tub or garden cart so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will tolerate plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil bank line when project is unadulterated . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by conceive sun and shade through the day , photo , water requirements , climate , soil make-up , seasonal colouring desired , and locating of other garden plants and trees .
The best prison term to plant are give and fall , when dirt is feasible and out of risk of icing . gloam plantings have the advantage that antecedent can modernize and not have to contend with developing top ontogenesis as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike tight condition or for colder area , allowing full organization before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most industrial plant , unless planting a more instal sized plant .
To plant container - grown plant : Prepare planting holes with appropriate depth and distance between . irrigate the plant life thoroughly and let the excess piddle waste pipe before cautiously hit from the container . cautiously tease the root lump and localise the flora in the cakehole , working soil around the ascendant as you fill . If the plant life is highly antecedent bound , separate roots with finger’s breadth . A few slits made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue occupy in dirt and water exhaustively , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To plant bare - root plants : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting hole , spread roots and work soil among origin as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To found seedlings : A number of perennial produce self - sown seedlings that can be transfer . You may also come out your own seedling bed for transplantation . Prepare suitable planting holes , space fittingly for plant life growth . Gently lift the seedling and as much surround dirt as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct sunlight and water regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have opt is suitable for the conditions you are capable to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will wish . think that the area right next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants postulate to be transplant into a with child container periodically , or they become great deal / root - bound and their growth is retarded . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the soil will have the root glob together when you remove it from the pot . If you have difficulty getting the industrial plant out of the pot , hear running a blade around the edge of the pot , and softly whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh grime when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with soil , being heedful not to jam too tightly – you need zephyr 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 roots to fill in their new menage .
The size of it quite a little you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch slap-up in diam . Remember , many plant opt being somewhat pot resile . Always commence with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soil and enters the plant through the rootage or the bow at filth level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease tearing . If a plant life is too far start ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the grunge too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts urine solution . antimycotic agent can be used , harmonise to label guidance . Consult a professional for a effectual recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insect that snipe many type of plants and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like het home ) . They can multiply rapidly as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a biography couplet of 45 days without union . Most of the scathe to plants is get by the young larva which course on tender leaf and flower tissue . This leads to distorted growth , injured flower flower petal and previous prime drop . Thrips also can convey many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weed down and use test on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with sensationalistic sticky wag or take reward of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a salutary steady shower of body of water will lave them off the plant . look up your local garden mall professional or county conjunct extension office for legal chemical testimonial . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like creatures which prosper in raging , dry condition ( like heated house ) . Spider mite feed with pierce mouth component , which make flora to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and industrial plant death can occur with dense infestations . wanderer mite can multiply cursorily , as a female can lie up to 200 eggs in a sprightliness span of 30 sidereal day . They also produce a web which can cover infested leave-taking and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep dope down and bump off infested plants . ironic air seems to decline the problem , so make certain works are regularly watered , especially those favour gamy humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato . Always check new works prior to bringing them home from the garden center or greenhouse . Take advantage of raw foeman 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 efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer soupcon generally exist . plague : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - livid , soft - bodied insect that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth persona that go down on the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften face like small piece of cotton plant and they tend to congregate where leaf and stems branch . They attack a wide of the mark range of plants . The young tend to move around until they find a worthy feeding spot , then they fall out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can de-escalate a plant leading to yellow foliage and leafage drib . They also bring about a sweet inwardness called honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an untempting black aerofoil fungal increase shout out pitchy modeling .
Prevention and Control : Isolate overrun plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical good word . advance natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy bugs . pestis : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing insect that see like tiny moth , which attack many types of plants . The flying adult stage prefers the underside of leave to feed and breed . Whiteflies can procreate cursorily as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life sentence span of 2 calendar month . If a industrial plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fly insects when the plant is agitate . Whiteflies can countermine a plant , finally leading to plant decease if they are not tick . They can channelize many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can chair to an untempting black Earth’s surface fungous increment call pitchy mold .
Possible restraint : keep weeds down ; utilisation screen out in window to keep them out ; remove infested works aside from non - infested works ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum transparency ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; bunker with chicken muggy cards , hold labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steadfast shower of body of water will wash them off the works . Pest : bullet and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are shellfish , not insects . They can be voracious feeder , eat just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat on pickle in leaves , strip intact stems , or whole devour seedling and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - fib silvery , vile trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , pass hiding position such as leafage dust , over - turn pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady place and heavy mulches provide protection from the element and can be favorite hiding place . In the natural spring , patrol for and destruct eggs ( bunch of little semitransparent spheres ) and adults during fall and dawn . Set out beer traps from previous spring through drop .
Many chemical substance control are available on the market , but can be poisonous and baneful for children and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough aviation circulation or equal light . Problems are worse where night are coolheaded and day are strong and humid . The powdery clean or gray fungus is usually found on the upper aerofoil of leaves or yield . Leaves will often turn sensationalistic or brown , curl up , and shake off off . New leaf emerges crease and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drop ahead of time .
Prevention and Control : set resistant potpourri and blank flora the right way so they receive adequate lightness and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for pink wine . Go slow on the nitrogen fertilizer . go for fungicides according to recording label focal point before job becomes severe and succeed directions incisively , not miss any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the spill and destruct . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are triggered by fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or round , with a water soaked or yellow - border appearance . louse , rainwater , dirty garden pecker , or even people can avail its banquet .
Prevention and Control : polish off infect leave when the plant is dry . Leaves that call for around the base of the plant life should be graze up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; piss should be directed at soil point . For fungal leaf spots , apply a recommended fungicide according to recording label focusing .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , interrelate to mealy bug , that can be a job on a panoptic variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . untried scale crawling until they find a just feeding site . The adult female then lose their legs and rest on a spot protected by its toilsome shell level . They appear as excrescence , often on the low sides of leafage . They have piercing oral fissure constituent that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . scurf can dampen a plant run to yellow foliage and leaf fall . They also produce a angelic substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can run to an unattractive black open fungal ontogenesis called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension situation in your county for a effectual good word regarding their ascendency . Encourage lifelike enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaf . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy glitch , musical scale , or pismire . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blacken the leaf and stems of the industrial plant . The dependable way to control sooty mold is to see to it the insect that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be pass over from leaves with a dampish cloth or washed away with a hose - end sprayer .
