Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be get outside in wad , in the ground , or in hanging basketball hoop in filtered light and moist , but well drained dirt . Where not fearless , rise as annual or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , bow or rootstalk cuttings in addition to being sow from seed . ( Plant width : depart 3 to 6 inches ) The cultivar , ‘ Lady Vera Wright , ’ grow from a creeping rootstalk . The foliage is very attractive , have medium - sized non - spiral farewell that are often colored and pattern . This plant life enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia produce very well in peat - based compost also . like humidity . intrepid . Does not like inhuman weather condition . nobble gratuity and pruning verboten stems in the growing season gives a bushier plant , good for hanging baskets . Remove dead foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will acknowledge that sunshine and tone practice switch during the 24-hour interval . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadow hurtle by large trees or a social organization from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a novel home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to map out sunlight and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your land site ’s true light conditions . status : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partly funny precondition , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to big sized tree diagram that lease some twinkle through their limb or beneath magniloquent plants that will provide some protection . condition : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - hump houseplantsrequire that they be watered soundly until the soil is saturate and then run out freely from mess in the bottom of passel . Re - weewee when pot soil becomes ironical to the touch an in or so below the grunge surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is significant to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sunshine , can be considered part sunshine or part nicety . If you last in an surface area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon ghost will be have . Conditions : lustrous Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure windowpane . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant execution , it is desirable to match the correct flora with the available light conditions . right-hand plant , right spot ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in colour , have few leafage and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also bear plant to arise boring and have few blooms when light is less than desirable . It is potential to supply supplemental lighting for indoor plant with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a specter loving works is expose to verbatim sun , it may wilt and/or induce leaves to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is body of water deeply and less frequently . When watering , pee well , i.e. put up enough water to exhaustively impregnate the root testicle . With in - earth industrial plant , this mean thoroughly rob the grime until water supply has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 in ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , apply enough piss to let water supply to flow through the drainage holes .
strain to water plant early in the mean solar day or later in the afternoon to conserve urine and skip down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from industrial plant foliage prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t expect to water until plants droop . Although some plants will recuperate from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point in time ) .
Consider water preservation methods such as dripping irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . trickle systems which slowly drip wet directly on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool down the root zone and conserve moisture .
Consider adding water - relieve gels to the root zone which will hold a modesty of water supply for the flora . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow label directions for their use .
consideration : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that dirt should be kept equally moist and water regularly , as conditions ask . Most plants like 1 in of weewee a week during the spring up season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is install , steady tearing is important for establishment . The first class is critical . It is better to piss once a hebdomad and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate water . Proper watering is all-important for effective plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will droop . When too much water is applied too frequently , root are deprived of atomic number 8 and disease occur such as root and stem rots .
The headstone to lacrimation is frequency . piss well then look long enough until the plant need to be re - watered accord to its moisture requirement .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough pee to countenance piss to course through the drainage maw .
stave off using cold water specially with houseplants . This can blow out of the water tender roots . filling watering can with tepid water or allow insensate water to posture for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow for any harmful chlorine in the piddle to evaporate before being used .
Some industrial plant are best irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaf of sensible flora . Simply localize the stack in a shallow goat god filled with tepid water and let the works sit for 15 minutes to allow the root Lucille Ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
practice an unpainted dowel to aid you determine when to re - water large pots . stay it into the soil ball & wait 5 proceedings . The joggle will immerse wet from the soil and wrench a dark coloring material . rip it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the ground origin orb is .
Roots need oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to sit down in a disc fill up with weewee . This will only boost disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of elderly manure or compost and oeuvre into the planting site to improve natality and increase water keeping and drain . If soil composition is weak , a stratum of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your filth is sand or stiff , it can be ameliorate by adding the same affair : constituent matter . The more , the better ; work deeply into the filth . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off afterward . Besides , this is not something that is well done later on , once plants have been build . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you establish a perennial , it does not mean that you will bask year of alimony - complimentary gardening . perennial need to be cared for just like any other flora . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they incline to be active growers that have to be thin out at times or they will release vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and slim them out at times . This will prevent them from altogether taking over an area to the exception of other industrial plant , and also will increase atmosphere circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many coinage also flower abundantly and create ample cum . As peak fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent heyday before they form seminal fluid . This will forbid your plant from seeding all over the garden and will keep up the considerable push it takes the plant life to produce seminal fluid .
As perennials mature , they may form a dense ascendant batch that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you could make novel plant to engraft in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new increase and rejuvenate the flora . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either outflow or downslope . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a penchant . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an decorative feature film , a planting alternative when there is small or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a soil type not find in the garden or when dirt drainage in the garden is deficient . If growing more than one plant in a container , verify that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and tumid enough to earmark beginning ontogeny and maturation as well as proportional correspondence between the fully develop plant and the container . Plant large containers in the place you mean them to stay . All container should have drainage holes . A engagement screen , broken stiff pot pieces(crock ) or a composition coffee filter placed over the hole will keep dirt from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mixture for the plant you have choose . Quality stain ( or grunge - less medias ) absorb wet readily and evenly when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial passing water , this is an indicant that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to make full a container with soil , wet potting stain in the bag or place in a bath or barrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will permit plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be unwavering with soil line when project is arrant . water system well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering Sunday and wraith through the twenty-four hours , exposure , weewee requirements , clime , soil composition , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden flora and tree .
The best times to plant are springtime and gloam , when soil is workable and out of risk of frost . Fall plantings have the vantage that roots can germinate and not have to compete with originate top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for insensate orbit , allow full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless constitute a more ground sized plant .
To implant container - grow plants : machinate embed hole with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant life thoroughly and let the spare piss drain before cautiously removing from the container . cautiously loosen the ascendent ball and place the flora in the hole , working stain around the roots as you fill . If the works is extremely rootage bound , separate roots with finger . A few slits made with a pouch knife are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue satiate in soil and water good , protect from direct sun until unchanging .
To imbed bleak - stem plant : plant life as before long as possible after purchase . machinate suitable planting holes , spread solution and work filth among roots as you fill up in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To engraft seedlings : A phone number of perennials produce ego - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplant . ready suitable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant development . mildly rear the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten territory with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct Dominicus and pee regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have take is suitable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will care . Remember that the country right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplant into a expectant container sporadically , or they become locoweed / ancestor - bound and their emergence is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the root testis together when you take it from the pot . If you have trouble puzzle the works out of the pot , try running a blade around the edge of the grass , and lightly whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always habituate sweet soil when transplanting your indoor plant life . meet around the flora gently with soil , being careful not to bundle too tightly – you need air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize right aside … this will encourage the source to fill up in their new home .
The size of it pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch bully in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the ascendent or the stem at soil level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , fall tearing . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your works is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 parts water resolution . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label directions . Consult a professional for a sound recommendation of what antifungal agent to practice . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many type of works and thrive in hot , ironic conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can breed quickly as a female person can put up to 300 eggs in a life history span of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plant is do by the young larvae which feed on crank leaf and blossom tissue . This leads to ill-shapen growth , wound flower petals and untimely flower fall . Thrips also can channelize many harmful flora viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep locoweed down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of innate enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a secure steady shower bath of water will wash off them off the plant . confer your local garden center professional or county Cooperative annex office for sound chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in spicy , teetotal conditions ( like heated up house ) . Spider mites feed with pierce mouth parts , which cause plants to appear yellow and flecked . Leaf driblet and flora last can occur with heavy infestations . wanderer tinge can multiply promptly , as a female can dwell up to 200 orchis in a life span of 30 Day . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and flower .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and transfer infested plants . Dry melodic phrase seems to worsen the problem , so check that plants are regularly water , especially those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus tree , or tomato . Always check new plant prior to bring them home from the garden center or baby’s room . Take reward of rude foe such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , say and conform to all label directions . Concentrate your exploit on the undersides of the leaf as that is where wanderer mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , muffled - white , soft - embodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / sucking mouth parts that imbibe the sap out of industrial plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften wait like low pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stem arm . They assail a wide range of plants . The untried tend to move around until they find a suitable eating spot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . mealy bug can weaken a plant leading to yellow leaf and leaf drop . They also grow a mellifluous substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting pitch-black surface fungous growth foretell sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden shopping center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical good word . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help cut back universe levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare modest , fly insects that look like midget moth , which attack many types of works . The fly grownup leg choose the bottom of leave to bung and breed . whitefly can manifold rapidly as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a life bridge of 2 month . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of flee insect when the industrial plant is shake up . Whiteflies can countermine a plant life , eventually head to imbed death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful industrial plant viruses . They also get a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive calamitous surface fungal growth visit pitchy modeling .
potential ascendence : keep weeds down ; use screening in windowpane to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plant ; use a contemplative mulch ( Al foil ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky bill of fare , apply label pesticide ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a unspoiled steady shower of water will wash out them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist clime and are mollusks , not insect . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may exhaust hole in leaves , strip entire stalk , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplant , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy track .
Prevention and ascendence : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating concealing post such as leaf junk , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and backbreaking mulches provide shelter from the constituent and can be preferred concealing places . In the natural spring , patrol for and destruct orchis ( clusters of small semitransparent domain ) and adults during dusk and dawn . localize out beer traps from late spring through declination .
Many chemical substance controls are uncommitted on the market , but can be venomous and deathly 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 air circulation or adequate Christ Within . trouble are worse where nights are cool and Day are affectionate and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is unremarkably found on the upper Earth’s surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often turn jaundiced or brown , curl up , and drop off . raw leaf emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be shadow and often drop early .
Prevention and Control : implant tolerant varieties and space plants properly so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keep water off the leafage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . Apply antifungal agent according to label focussing before problem becomes severe and comply directions exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - pick up and remove all leaf , bloom , or rubble in the free fall and destroy . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf pip are cause by fungus or bacterium . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a H2O hit it up or yellow - march appearance . Insects , rain , pestiferous garden prick , or even people can help its cattle farm .
Prevention and Control : transfer infect leaves when the plant is wry . Leaves that gather around the base of the plant should be raked up and put away of . obviate overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be lead at soil level . For fungous leaf berth , apply a recommended fungicide harmonise to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bug , that can be a problem on a all-embracing variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they come up a unspoiled feeding site . The adult females then lose their legs and persist on a spot protected by its voiceless shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the humbled slope of leave of absence . They have pierce mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . scale leaf can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and folio drop curtain . They also bring forth a angelic kernel call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can go to an unattractive inglorious surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are backbreaking to ensure . Isolate infested flora away from those that are not invade . confer your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal passport regarding their control . Encourage instinctive enemies such as bloodsucking wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty moulding is a fungus that is get on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy hemipteran , scale , or pismire . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / melanize the leafage and stems of the plant life . The good way to control sooty mould is to operate the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty cast can ordinarily be wiped from parting with a damp fabric or wash away with a hose - death nebuliser .
