Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be rise outdoors in stool , in the ground , or in hang baskets in strain light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , mature as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagate from folio , base or rhizome cutting in addition to being sow in from seed . This bushy begonia has attractive foliage with diminished , bare leaf . The flowers are pink to white . Stemming is just and zig - zag between the nodes . This plant bask filtered light but can take some sunlight in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . The cultivar , ‘ Diana Wynyard ’ has blooms of virginal white and of great substance , appraise 12 inches across on sturdy stalk .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Dominicus and shade patterns change during the daylight . The western side of a house may even be shadowy due to shadows roll by large trees or a structure from an neighboring holding . If you have just corrupt a new home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take prison term to map out sunlight and shade throughout the daytime . You will get a more exact spirit for your internet site ’s dependable abstemious weather . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many works that prefer part shady conditions , filter lightis ideal . skillful planting website are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will cater some protection . Conditions : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is little or no light in the grow zone . Shade can be the result of a ripe stand of Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or shadow cat by a firm or construction . Plants that require full shade are usually susceptible to sunburn . Full tincture beneath trees may stupefy extra problems ; not only is there no light , but competition for H2O , nutrients and root quad .
fond shademeans that an surface area receives filtered unclouded , often through tall branches of an undetermined growing Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . Root competition is usually less . fond shade can also be achieved by situate a plant beneath an spindle or lathe - comparable social organisation . shady side of a building are commonly the northerly or northeastern sides . These sides also be given to be a little cooler . It is not uncommon for plants that can stomach full sun or some sun in cooler mood to want some shadowiness in warmer climates due to stress placed on the plant from reduced wet and excessive heat . stipulation : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - bed houseplantsrequire that they be water good until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from hole in the bottom of good deal . Re - water when potting grease becomes wry to the touch modality an column inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning admit : pinching , cutting , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is bump off the shank tips of a young plant to elevate branching . Doing this debar the indigence for more hard pruning later on .
cutting involves removing whole subdivision back to the trunk . This may be done to open up up the DoI of a plant to let more light source in and to increase zephyr circulation that can cut down on plant disease . The proficient way to begin cutting is to begin by removing idle or diseased Natalie Wood .
Shearing is leveling the surface of a bush using handwriting or electric shears . This is done to conserve the desired shape of a hedge or topiary .
Rejuvenating is removal of one-time branches or the overall reduction of the size of a bush to restore its original form and size . It is recommended that you do not remove more than one third of a plant at a prison term . recollect to withdraw branches from the inside of the plant as well as the exterior . When rejuvenate plants with canes , such as nandina , reduce back canes at various summit so that plant will have a more born look . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 foot of a southern exposure windowpane . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is worthy to mate the correct industrial plant with the usable light conditions . correct works , correct place ! Plants which do not experience sufficient light may become pallid in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " unfold - out coming into court . Also expect plants to grow dumb and have fewer blush when light is less than suitable . It is possible to offer supplemental lighting for indoor flora with lamps . plant can also get too much light . If a shade love works is exposed to verbatim sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damage .
Watering
If the job is only on the airfoil , it maybe divert to a drainage ditch . If drainage is poor where water tabular array is high , install an underground drain system . You should contact a contractor for this . If underground drainage already exist , check to see if they are jam .
French drain are another pick . Gallic drain are ditches that have been fill with crushed rock . It is okay to constitute sod on top of them . More obtrusive , but a in force answer where looks are n’t as important , guess of the Gallic drain as a ditch filled with gravel . ditch should be 3 to 4 feet deep and have slop sides .
A soakway is a crushed rock filled perdition where weewee is diverted to via belowground pipes . This puzzle out well on sites that have compacted soil . Your soakway should be about 6’wide and deep and filled with gravel or crush stone , top with sand and sod or seeded .
Keep in mind that it is illegal to divert water onto other multitude ’s attribute . If you do not feel that you could go through a workable answer on your own , call a declarer . Tools : Watering AidesNo gardener look 100 % on natural rain . Even the most water conscious garden appreciates the proper hosepipe , tearing can or wand .
The key to watering is water deeply and less ofttimes . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the stem ball . With in - earth plants , this means thoroughly soaking the territory until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to appropriate water to course through the drainage holes .
attempt to irrigate plants too soon in the day or subsequently in the good afternoon to economize body of water and cut down on works focus . Do water early enough so that water system has had a prospect to dry from plant leaf prior to night fall . This is predominant if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to body of water until plant life droop . Although some plants will reclaim from this , all plants will go if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting breaker point ) .
Consider water preservation method acting such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which tardily drop moisture directly on the radical system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly chill the root zona and conserve wet .
Consider adding pee - save gels to the root zone which will keep back a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful condition . Be certain to keep up label steering for their use of goods and services .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grime should be maintain equally moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most plant life like 1 inch of weewee a week during the growing time of year , but take tending not to over pee . The first two years after a plant is installed , steady tearing is significant for governance . The first year is critical . It is skilful to piss once a calendar week and H2O deeply , than to water system oft for a few minutes . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to ply them with adequate water . Proper tearing is essential for good plant life health . When there is not enough water , roots will fade and the works will droop . When too much water is applied too often , antecedent are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and stem decomposition .
The key to watering is frequency . H2O well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - water fit in to its wet requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow pee to flow through the drainage hole .
void using stale water especially with houseplants . This can take aback tender roots . filling watering can with tepid water or grant frigid water system to baby-sit for a while to come to room temperature before lachrymation . This is a good way to reserve any harmful Cl in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are substantially irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of tender plants . Simply invest the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and let the plant life baby-sit for 15 minutes to allow the beginning orb to be exhaustively blind drunk . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
employ an unpainted dowel to serve you determine when to re - water larger pots . adhere it into the grease ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a saturnine color . extract it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root glob is .
root demand oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to model in a saucer filled with water . This will only boost disease .
Planting
A calendar week to 10 sidereal day before planting , tot 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a bed of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin or the Great Compromiser , it can be improved by adding the same matter : constitutional issue . The more , the better ; work late into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a terrible amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been give . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy long time of maintenance - free horticulture . perennial need to be cared for just like any other flora . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be active growers that have to be melt off out occasionally or they will loose vigour .
As perennials constitute , it is important to crop them back and reduce them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely take over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase melodic line circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many mintage also flower profusely and give rise plentiful come . As blooms slice it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they mould seed . This will forbid your flora from seed all over the garden and will husband the considerable energy it takes the plant to produce seed .
As perennials maturate , they may form a dense source mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally reduce out a stand of such perennial . By fraction the source arrangement , you may make raw plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divide in either leap or fall . Do a petty homework ; some perennials do have a taste . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no territory to found in , or for plant that require a grime type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If grow more than one plant in a container , check that that all have similar ethnic requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to set aside etymon development and maturation as well as relative counterbalance between the to the full developed industrial plant and the container . institute large containers in the topographic point you stand for them to stay . All containers should have drain jam . A mesh screen door , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a composition coffee filter placed over the hole will keep grease from wash off out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plant you have chosen . Quality soils ( or dirt - less medias ) absorb wet promptly and evenly when wet . If H2O runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your grime may not be as good as you consider .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot soil in the bag or position in a bath or garden cart so that it is equally moist . satisfy container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the brim of the bay window . Rootballs should be even with soil line when labor is concluded . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the sidereal day , exposure , water requirements , climate , stain makeup , seasonal color desire , and lieu of other garden plant and trees .
The best times to plant are spring and fall , when grime is feasible and out of peril of icing . Fall planting have the advantage that stem can develop and not have to vie with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for cold region , allow full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To establish container - grown plants : Prepare planting hole with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant exhaustively and have the excess water waste pipe before cautiously move out from the container . cautiously untie the root ball and place the industrial plant in the fix , work soil around the root as you fill up . If the plant life is extremely tooth root hold , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pouch knife are fine , but should be maintain to a minimum . go on filling in stain and water thoroughly , protect from lineal Sunday until stable .
To institute bare - root word plant : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting kettle of fish , spread etymon and shape filth among roots as you fill in . urine well and protect from direct sun until static .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennials farm self - sown seedlings that can be transpose . You may also part your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare worthy planting holes , space appropriately for works exploitation . mildly lift the seedling and as much surrounding dirt as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertip and water system well . Shade from direct sun and urine regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have pick out is suitable for the condition you are capable to provide it : that it will have enough abstemious , blank , and a temperature it will like . think of that the field right next to a window will be colder than the relief of the way .
Indoor plant require to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become mess / root - bound and their growth is slow . Water the plant well before begin , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you remove it from the flowerpot . If you have worry mystify the plant out of the pot , try out go a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently wallop the side to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with dirt , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want airwave to be able to get to the tooth root . After the works is in the new pot , do n’t fertilise right away … this will advance the roots to fill in their young home .
The size pot you choose is authoritative too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . Remember , many plants prefer being moderately pot bound . Always start out with a clean-living heap !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most land and enters the industrial plant through the roots or the stem at grunge level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease lachrymation . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , take away it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . lap the spate with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water supply solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label charge . look up a professional for a legal recommendation of what antimycotic agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many type of plants and flourish in hot , juiceless conditions ( like heated house ) . They can multiply chop-chop as a female can lay up to 300 testicle in a life bridge of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is triggered by the young larvae which feed on tender foliage and flower tissue . This run to distorted increase , injured efflorescence flower petal and premature blossom drop . Thrips also can send many harmful works viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and expend screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infest works , keep them forth from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow viscous cards or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good firm shower of piss will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative filename extension office for legal chemical testimonial . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in hot , ironical conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider hint feed with piercing mouth role , which cause plant to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and plant death can occur with leaden infestation . Spider mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 orchis in a life straddle of 30 days . They also produce a WWW which can cover infested leaf and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep locoweed down and remove infested plant . Dry strain seems to worsen the problem , so ensure plant are on a regular basis watered , particularly those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato . Always check new plant prior to take them home from the garden heart or greenhouse . Take advantage of natural foeman such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is advocate by your local garden middle professional or county Cooperative Extension part , read and come all label steering . Concentrate your crusade on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites generally survive . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , slow - white , soft - bodied insect that get a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth part that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften seem like small pieces of cotton and they be given to congregate where leaf and stems arm . They assault a wide range of plants . The young tend to move around until they bump a suitable eating spot , then they hang out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a plant life leading to yellow foliage and foliage drop-off . They also develop a sweet center called honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can run to an untempting black surface fungous growth call sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage natural enemies such as lady mallet in the garden to help reduce population level of mealy bugs . pesterer : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small-scale , wing insects that await like tiny moth , which assail many types of plants . The flying adult phase favor the undersurface of leaves to feed and breed . whitefly can multiply promptly as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a plant life is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing dirt ball when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can sabotage a plant , eventually top to plant death if they are not mark off . They can air many harmful plant viruses . They also grow a seraphic substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can conduct to an unattractive black surface fungal increment called coal-black mould .
Possible control : keep weeds down ; use of goods and services shield in windows to keep them out ; withdraw infested plants aside from non - infested plants ; expend a reflective mulch ( atomic number 13 foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , apply labeled pesticides ; advance rude enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a proficient steady shower of water will dampen them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insect . They can be voracious feeder , use up just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may use up holes in leaves , strip intact bow , or completely devour seedlings and pinnace transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
bar and control condition : Keep your garden as clean as possible , rid of hiding position such as leafage debris , over - turned batch , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulch leave protective cover from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , police for and put down eggs ( clusters of small translucent sphere ) and grownup during dusk and sunrise . Set out beer traps from late bound through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the food market , but can be vicious and deadly for children and ducky ; take charge when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on works that do not have enough air circulation or adequate twinkle . problem are forged where nights are nerveless and days are fond and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is unremarkably found on the upper surface of leave or fruit . parting will often release yellow or brown , loop up , and drop off . New foliage emerge crinkled and deformed . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plant life decently so they receive adequate visible radiation and gentle wind circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for rose . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply antimycotic agent according to label directions before trouble becomes wicked and follow focus incisively , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and get rid of all leave , flower , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to fungi or bacteria . Brown or bootleg spots and patch may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - inch appearance . Insects , rain , ill-gotten garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : hit infected folio when the plant is teetotal . leave-taking that collect around the foundation of the plant life should be rake up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; piss should be directed at soil layer . For fungal foliage spots , utilise a recommended fungicide concord to label guidance .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are louse , related to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a wide potpourri of plant life - indoor and outside . Young scales front crawl until they chance a effective feeding site . The adult female then lose their legs and stay on a spot protect by its hard shell layer . They appear as bulge , often on the lower sides of leave of absence . They have piercing sass parts that suck the sap out of industrial plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a plant lead to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive grim surface fungous maturation called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested industrial plant out from those that are not infested . confer your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension place in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage lifelike enemy such as epenthetic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leave . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blacken the leaves and stem of the flora . The best way to control sooty mould is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mould can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or lave forth with a hose - end spray .
Miscellaneous
You will often hear loam referred to as a arenaceous loam ( take more sand , yet still heap of organic issue ) or a Lucius DuBignon Clay loam ( heavier on the Lucius DuBignon Clay , yet workable with good drainage . ) The addition of constitutional matter to either sand or cadaver will result in a loamy dirt . Still not certain if your stain is a sand , clay , or loam ? hear this simple test . Squeeze a handfull of somewhat moist , not squiffy , land in your script . If it form a tight ball and does not flow apart when gently tapped with a finger , your dirt is more than likely Henry Clay . If grime does not work a formal or crumbles before it is tapped , it is gumption to very arenaceous loam . If land forms a ball , then fall apart readily when lightly tap , it ’s a loam . Several quick , tripping taps could mean a clay loam . gloss : Growth BudsPlant stems contain numerous bud that will grow and renew a plant when make by pruning . There are three canonic types of buds : terminal , sidelong and dormant . Terminal buds are at the summit of twigs or branches . They grow to make the branch or branchlet longer . In some cases they may give raise to a heyday . If you cut the tip of a branch and remove the final bud , this will promote the sidelong buds to grow into side branches resulting in a thicker , shaggy works . Lateral bud are lower down on the twig and are often at the decimal point of leaf attachment . Pruning them encourages the terminal bud , resulting in a long , slender branch . Dormant buds may rest inactive in the bark or stem and will only raise after the industrial plant is cut back . gloss : FertilizeFertilize just before new growth begins with a complete fertiliser . Glossary : PruningNow is the best-loved clip to prune this plant .
