Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hang baskets in filtered light and moist , but well run out soil . Where not stout , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be distribute from folio , stem or rootstalk cuttings in summation to being sown from seed . Begonia holtonis is a shaggy-coated plant that has attractive foliage with small , au naturel leaves . The flowers are white and are in bloom from winter through summer . Stemming is good and zag - zags between the nodes . This works enjoys filtered twinkle but can take some Sunday in winter . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias grow very well in peat - base compost also . Likes humidness . Does not like cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning outer stanch in the maturate time of year hold a bushier plant life , serious for hanging . Sudden temperature change causes leave to drop .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Sunday and tone patterns change during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadow roam by large tree diagram or a complex body part from an adjacent belongings . If you have just bought a unexampled home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take sentence to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more exact feel for your site ’s honest unclouded conditions . status : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partly shady conditions , sink in lightis nonpareil . Good planting website are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some visible light through their branches or beneath taller flora that will provide some protective covering . condition : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is little or no luminance in the grow zone . Shade can be the resultant of a ripe stand of tree or tincture cast by a firm or building . works that require full shade are usually susceptible to sunburn . Full shade beneath trees may pose extra problem ; not only is there no luminosity , but competition for water , nutrients and root blank .
Partial shademeans that an area receives filtered light , often through tall offshoot of an open growing tree . Root challenger is commonly less . fond shade can also be achieved by site a works beneath an arbour or lathe - similar complex body part . suspicious sides of a building are normally the northern or northeast sides . These sides also tend to be a little cooler . It is not rare for works that can tolerate full Dominicus or some sun in cool climates to require some subtlety in warmer climate due to focus placed on the flora from reduced moisture and excessive heat . condition : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require sizable water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturate and then drain freely from hole in the bottom of mess . Re - water when pot soil becomes dry to the touch an column inch or so below the grease aerofoil . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favour light that is dribble . Sunlight , though not verbatim , is of import to them . Often dayspring Lord’s Day , because it is not as firm as good afternoon Sunday , can be considered part Lord’s Day or part spook . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun pic may be all right . In other area such as Florida , plant in a fix where good afternoon shade will be received . circumstance : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 invertebrate foot of an eastern or westerly exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly photograph window . shape : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant execution , it is worthy to match the right plant with the available light status . proper plant , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient brightness may become pale in gloss , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretch out - out visual aspect . Also ask plants to grow slower and have few efflorescence when light is less than desirable . It is possible to offer supplementary lighting for indoor plant with lamps . plant can also receive too much light . If a shade loving plant is exposed to verbatim sun , it may droop and/or have leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key fruit to watering is H2O deeply and less often . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough pee to good saturate the etymon bollock . With in - primer plants , this mean good soaking the soil until weewee has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drain holes .
hear to water plants early in the day or later in the good afternoon to conserve body of water and cut down down on works tension . Do water ahead of time enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from flora leave-taking prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus job .
Do n’t wait to water until plants wilt . Although some industrial plant will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water conservation method acting such as trickle irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mould organization which slowly drop moisture directly on the root system of rules can be purchased at your local home and garden center . mulch can importantly cool the root zone and keep up wet .
moot append piddle - saving gels to the root geographical zone which will throw a reserve of water for the works . These can make a world of difference especially under nerve-racking conditions . Be certain to stick with label directions for their utilization .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and water regularly , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 column inch of water a calendar week during the originate time of year , but take care not to over water supply . The first two age after a plant is instal , veritable watering is important for institution . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a week and water deeply , than to weewee frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to furnish them with tolerable water . Proper lacrimation is indispensable for dependable plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too frequently , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as antecedent and stem turn rot .
The key to watering is frequency . weewee well then wait long enough until the plant need to be re - water according to its moisture requirements .
When tearing , water well . That is , ply enough water to exhaustively saturate the ascendant ball . With containerized flora , go for enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage maw .
Avoid using cold water specially with houseplant . This can appall tender root word . filling watering can with tepid water supply or allow cold water to sit for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a well way to allow any harmful Cl in the water to melt before being used .
Some plant are advantageously irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This obviate splashing water on the leaves of sensitive plant . just come in the potty in a shallow pan filled with tepid body of water and get the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the theme globe to be exhaustively wet . Take out and permit sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water orotund batch . get it into the ground egg & wait 5 transactions . The dowel pin will engage moisture from the soil and turn a sorry color . rend it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil base clump is .
ancestor demand oxygen to breath , do not allow plant to sit down in a disc fill with water supply . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A workweek to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and employment into the planting land site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drain . If soil makeup is weak , a level of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is moxie or clay , it can be better by adding the same thing : organic affair . The more , the better ; work deeply into the filth . gear up beds to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a wonderful amount of work now , but will greatly bear off afterwards . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plant life have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you implant a perennial , it does not entail that you will relish years of care - free gardening . Perennials postulate to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that pick out perennial is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thin out on occasion or they will loose energy .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and slim down them out occasionally . This will forbid them from wholly taking over an region to the exclusion of other plant , and also will increase air travel circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many species also bloom profusely and produce ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your industrial plant ; that is , to take away spent flower before they mould germ . This will forbid your plant from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable push it takes the works to produce semen .
As perennial mature , they may shape a dense theme mass that finally direct to a less vigorous industrial plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennial . By carve up the root system , you could make unexampled plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also settle down pruning will stimulate new growth and regenerate the industrial plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either fountain or pin . Do a short homework ; some perennials do have a druthers . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an ornamental feature of speech , a planting option when there is little or no land to engraft in , or for plants that require a soil character not found in the garden or when grime drainage in the garden is substandard . If growing more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have similar ethnical requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow tooth root evolution and ontogeny as well as proportional balance between the fully developed plant and the container . found with child containers in the plaza you signify them to remain . All containers should have drainage hole . A meshwork screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper umber filter placed over the hole 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 soil - less medias ) absorb wet promptly and evenly when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial making water , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as full as you call back .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . fill up container about midway full or to a point that will reserve works , when implant , to be just below the flange of the pot . Rootballs should be plane with grime tune when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , photo , water demand , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and place of other garden plant and trees .
The good time to plant are leap and fall , when soil is workable and out of risk of freeze . Fall plantings have the advantage that beginning can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the saltation . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike wet term or for colder expanse , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized flora .
To plant container - grown plants : Prepare institute yap with appropriate astuteness and blank between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the supernumerary water drain before carefully removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and localize the plant life in the hole , process territory around the roots as you fill . If the plant is extremely root bind , separate theme with fingers . A few incision made with a sac tongue are fine , but should be keep on to a lower limit . Continue filling in soil and water thoroughly , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To set stark - radical plants : Plant as presently as potential after purchase . Prepare worthy planting holes , spread roots and turn soil among roots as you make full in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedling : A routine of perennial grow self - seed seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bottom for transplant . Prepare suitable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant development . Gently raise the seedling and as much border soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it at once , firming grease with fingertip and pee well . Shade from verbatim sun and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the flora you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able to bring home the bacon it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . think of that the area decent next to a window will be inhuman than the relaxation of the room .
Indoor plants involve to be transplant into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - throttle and their ontogeny is retard . Water the works well before starting , so the soil will hold the tooth root ball together when you murder it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , try running a brand around the boundary of the pot , and gently whacking the sides to relax the ground .
Always use fresh dirt when transplanting your indoor works . satisfy around the plant gently with soil , being deliberate not to pack too tightly – you want air travel to be able to get to the root . After the plant is in the Modern pot , do n’t fecundate aright away … this will encourage the antecedent to fill in their new home .
The size of it pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch keen in diameter . Remember , many plants opt being more or less sess bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soil and enters the plant life through the rootage or the theme at territory level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen lachrymation . If a industrial plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the potful with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label directions . confer with a pro for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insect that assail many types of plants and thrive in red-hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lie up to 300 eggs in a life history span of 45 Clarence Shepard Day Jr. without mating . Most of the hurt to plants is because of the untried larvae which tip on tender leaf and flower tissue paper . This leads to distorted ontogeny , injure flower petals and previous flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and apply screen out on windowpane to keep them out . absent or discard infest works , keep them forth from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky carte du jour or take advantage of lifelike enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a honorable steady shower of water will wash them off the plant life . confer your local garden snapper professional or county Cooperative file name extension power for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare modest , 8 legged , spider - like wight which thrive in blistering , dry conditions ( like heated up houses ) . Spider mites fertilise with piercing lip parts , which induce plants to appear icteric and stippled . Leaf fall and plant death can come about with heavy infestations . Spider mites can multiply quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a aliveness span of 30 days . They also farm a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep Mary Jane down and murder infested plant life . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so verify plants are on a regular basis watered , especially those favour eminent humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato . Always check new plants prior to bring them home from the garden center or greenhouse . Take advantage of natural opposition such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden nerve centre professional or county Cooperative Extension office , interpret and follow all recording label directions . center your movement on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites loosely populate . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , ho-hum - blank , soft - embodied worm that produce a waxy powdery cover up . They have pierce / sucking rima oris part that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like modest pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leave-taking and stems branch . They attack a wide range of works . The vernal tend to move around until they find a suitable eating spot , then they hang out in colony and feed . Mealybugs can break a plant head to sensationalistic foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive shameful control surface fungous ontogenesis called sooty cast .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension authority in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . further rude enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing insect that look like tiny moths , which attack many types of plants . The flying adult stage prefer the undersurface of leave of absence to prey and stock . whitefly can multiply cursorily as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a life duet of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of take flight insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , eventually leading to plant end if they are not checked . They can channel many harmful plant viruses . They also bring about a sweet-flavored inwardness called honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can chair to an unattractive fateful surface fungal growth called pitchy mold .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; use sieve in windows to keep them out ; get rid of infested plants off from non - infested plant ; use a meditative mulch ( aluminum hydrofoil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow viscous cards , utilise labeled pesticide ; encourage natural foe such as leechlike wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the works . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat holes in leave of absence , strip entire stem , or whole devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clear as possible , eliminating hiding places such as foliage debris , over - become pot , and tarps . Groundcover in suspicious places and heavy mulches provide trade protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding home . In the springiness , patrol for and destroy ball ( clusters of modest semitransparent spheres ) and grownup during crepuscle and aurora . coiffure out beer traps from former fountain through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are useable on the market place , but can be poisonous and pernicious for tyke and pets ; take charge when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or passable light . Problems are worse where nights are cool and Day are strong and humid . The powdery clean or grizzly fungus is ordinarily found on the upper surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often turn yellow or brownish , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistive variety and space plants by rights so they encounter passable light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the leaf . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the N plant food . give antimycotic according to label directions before job becomes terrible and keep up directions precisely , not overlook any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and take away all foliage , blossom , or debris in the fall and destroy . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of fungi or bacteria . browned or black spots and speckle may be either ragged or circular , with a piss soaked or yellow - edged appearing . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even mass can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be scan up and dispose of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be aim at grease level . For fungal leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bug , that can be a problem on a wide variety of industrial plant - indoor and outdoor . Young scales creep until they observe a good feeding site . The adult females then lose their legs and stay on a spot protected by its heavy eggshell layer . They seem as excrescence , often on the lower side of leaf . They have piercing mouth parts that breastfeed the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant leading to yellowed foliage and foliage drop . They also produce a mellisonant meaning called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting smuggled Earth’s surface fungal growth called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to moderate . Isolate infested plants off from those that are not infested . look up your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension billet in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their control . Encourage innate enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is witness on the surface of leave . It course on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , weighing machine , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it hide / blackens the leaves and stem of the works . The adept way to control sooty mold is to manipulate the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be pass over from leaves with a damp cloth or washed away with a hose - end atomiser .
