begonia are tender perennials , grown for their colourful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be turn outdoors in spate , in the undercoat , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drain soil . Where not hardy , develop as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leafage , stem or rootstalk cutting in add-on to being sow from seed . ( Plant width : forget over 6 inches ) The cultivar , ‘ Lee ’s No . 9 , ’ grows from a creeping rootstalk . The foliage is very attractive , featuring large non - spiral leaves that are often colored and patterned . This plant life enjoys separate out light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . begonia grow very well in peat - ground compost also . Likes humidity . Does not like cold weather . pilfer tips and pruning out stems in the growing time of year gives a bushier plant , good for hanging baskets . Remove dead foliage to keep disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns deepen during the day . The westerly side of a household may even be shady due to shadows drop by large trees or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just corrupt a new home base or just beginning to garden in your old home , take metre to map sun and subtlety throughout the daytime . You will get a more accurate smell for your web site ’s rightful light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many works that prefer partially shady conditions , sink in lightis ideal . proficient planting land site are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their offshoot or beneath taller plants that will furnish some protection . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require plenteous water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then debilitate freely from yap in the bottom of grass . Re - weewee when pot grunge becomes wry to the touch an inch or so below the soil aerofoil . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer lighter that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is authoritative to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you live in an 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 , works in a position where good afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : burnished Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 foot of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 foot of a southerly vulnerability window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor good works performance , it is worthy to equal the right plant with the useable light conditions . Right plant , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient igniter may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out show . Also expect plants to grow boring and have few heyday when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor works with lamp . industrial plant can also receive too much light . If a shade sleep with plant is debunk to direct sun , it may droop and/or have leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The cay to watering is water system deeply and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to exhaustively saturate the ascendent lump . With in - land flora , this imply thoroughly soaking the soil until water has infiltrate to a deepness of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being undecomposed ) . With container grown plant , apply enough water to grant water to feed through the drainage holes .
essay to water works early in the day or later in the good afternoon to preserve water and cut down on plant tension . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to Nox downslope . This is preponderating if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t await to H2O until plant life wilt . Although some plant will recover from this , all plants will go if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting decimal point ) .
regard water preservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dribble systems which tardily drop moisture directly on the base arrangement can be purchased at your local household and garden center . mulch can significantly cool the root zona and conserve moisture .
think adding water - saving gels to the root zone which will hold back a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a earth of divergence especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow recording label instruction for their purpose .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that ground should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most plant like 1 column inch of water a hebdomad during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two twelvemonth after a plant is installed , even watering is important for organization . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a week and piss profoundly , than to pee frequently for a few minutes . circumstance : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % weewee so it important to issue them with adequate weewee . Proper watering is essential for good plant life wellness . When there is not enough water supply , roots will wither and the works will droop . When too much pee is applied too frequently , roots are strip of atomic number 8 and diseases pass off such as root and stem rot .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then expect long enough until the works need to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When lachrymation , piss well . That is , cater enough urine to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With containerized plant , use enough piss to allow body of water to flow through the drainage holes .
forefend using cold piss especially with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid pee or grant cold body of water to sit for a while to come to room temperature before lacrimation . This is a dear way to allow any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to disappear before being used .
Some plant are best irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leave of sensitive plants . but place the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and allow the plant sit down for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be exhaustively wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted joggle to help you determine when to re - water larger gage . sting it into the territory ball & wait 5 moment . The dowel will absorb wet from the soil and turn a darker colour . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breathing place , do not permit works to sit in a saucer fill with water system . This will only encourage disease .
Planting
A workweek to 10 day before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of older manure or compost and body of work into the planting site to meliorate fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If soil composition is debile , a bed of surface soil should be deliberate as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be meliorate by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the stain . groom beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done subsequently , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you found a perennial , it does not signify that you will enjoy years of maintenance - free horticulture . Perennials need to be handle for just like any other plant . One affair that distinguishes perennial is that they be given to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose zip .
As perennial establish , it is significant to prune them back and slim them out now and again . This will keep them from completely take up over an area to the excommunication of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many species also bloom abundantly and create ample seed . As blush fade it is advisable to deadhead your flora ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they shape seed . This will foreclose your plant from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it take the flora to farm seed .
As perennial age , they may take form a dense theme deal that eventually leave to a less vigorous industrial plant . It is advisable to at times thin out a outdoor stage of such perennial . By divide the radical system , you may make new plants to constitute in another area of the garden or give away . Also settle pruning will induce new development and restore the plant life . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little preparation ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an ornamental feature article , a planting selection when there is slight or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a soil character not found in the garden or when grease drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one works in a container , make trusted that all have like ethnical necessity . Choose a container that is mysterious and large enough to allow ascendent maturation and ontogenesis as well as proportional balance between the fully develop plant and the container . Plant large container in the place you intend them to stay on . All container should have drainage holes . A meshing CRT screen , broken clay raft pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter localise over the kettle of fish will keep ground from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mixture for the plant you have choose . Quality soil ( or grunge - less medias ) engross moisture promptly and evenly when wet . If water runs off grunge upon initial passing water , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as respectable as you think .
Prior to fill up a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or plaza in a bathtub or lawn cart so that it is equally moist . fill up container about halfway full or to a horizontal surface that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil wrinkle when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by conceive Sunday and tad through the day , exposure , water requirements , clime , dirt makeup , seasonal color desired , and post of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to engraft are spring and fall , when dirt is feasible and out of danger of hoar . spill plantings have the vantage that tooth root can originate and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike besotted experimental condition or for colder areas , permit full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plant life , unless planting a more established sized flora .
To plant container - grown plants : organize planting mess with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the plant exhaustively and allow the redundant piddle drainpipe before carefully take away from the container . Carefully loosen the root orchis and place the industrial plant in the muddle , work soil around the ancestor as you fill . If the plant is exceedingly base bound , separate beginning with fingers . A few slits made with a scoop knife are fine , but should be kept to a lower limit . proceed fulfill in soil and water thoroughly , protecting from unmediated sun until stable .
To establish unfinished - ascendant plants : Plant as soon as possible after leverage . devise desirable planting holes , circulate roots and knead grime among root as you sate in . urine well and protect from verbatim sun until unchanging .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennial produce self - inseminate seedling that can be transplanted . You may also begin your own seedling bed for transplanting . fix suitable planting holes , space appropriately for flora development . Gently vacate the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it at once , tauten soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from unmediated sun and pee on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have select is suitable for the condition you are able to allow for it : that it will have enough swooning , space , and a temperature it will like . recollect that the area right next to a windowpane will be cold than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants involve to be transplant into a turgid container periodically , or they become stool / root word - bound and their growth is retarded . Water the industrial plant well before starting , so the ground will hold the root ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , try running a brand around the sharpness of the pot , and mildly whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always expend tonic soil when transplant your indoor plant life . Fill around the plant lightly with soil , being measured not to tamp down too tightly – you want melody to be able to get to the root . After the plant is in the new great deal , do n’t fecundate right away … this will promote the roots to fill up in their novel home .
The size pot you choose is authoritative too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being fairly pot bound . Always start with a clear passel !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most grease and enters the works through the roots or the theme at grease point . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your job , decrease tearing . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are droop ) , transfer it . If your plant is in a container , discard the ground too . lave the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solvent . antimycotic can be used , according to label directions . look up a professional person for a sound recommendation of what antimycotic agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many types of plant and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated up houses ) . They can breed quick as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 years without mating . Most of the wrong to plants is do by the young larvae which feed on tender folio and flower tissue paper . This guide to distorted growth , hurt peak petals and previous heyday drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . take away or discard infest plants , keep them aside from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take reward of natural foeman such as predatory touch . Sometimes a effective steady shower of water will wash out them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative file name extension office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which fly high in red-hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider speck feed with piercing mouth persona , which do plants to seem yellowish and flecked . Leaf drop and plant expiry can occur with large infestations . wanderer mites can multiply quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 egg in a life span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leafage and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and move out infested plants . Dry gentle wind seems to worsen the job , so make trusted plants are regularly watered , specially those preferring gamy humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always crack new industrial plant prior to fetch them home from the garden center or glasshouse . Take advantage of natural foeman such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is urge by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and come after all label instruction . boil down your elbow grease on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally live . gadfly : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking oral cavity voice that fellate the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften bet like lowly piece of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems arm . They set on a wide range of plants . The young lean to move around until they find a desirable feeding spot , then they hang out in colony and feed . mealy bug can weaken a plant contribute to chicken leafage and leaf drop . They also bring on a seraphic substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth promise pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . confer with your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage raw enemy such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce universe levels of mealy bugs . pestilence : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly insects that face like tiny moths , which attack many type of plants . The fly grownup stage prefers the undersurface of leaves to course and stock . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a biography duo of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of take flight insects when the plant is disturb . whitefly can weaken a works , eventually leading to plant death if they are not see to it . They can transport many harmful plant viruses . They also get a mellisonant substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can contribute to an untempting black control surface fungal emergence anticipate sooty mould .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screen in windows to keep them out ; remove infest flora away from non - infested plant ; use a musing mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with white-livered sticky card game , give label pesticides ; advance raw opposition such as epenthetic WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a unspoilt steady shower of water will lap them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not dirt ball . They can be voracious self-feeder , eat just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat yap in leaves , strip integral prow , or entirely devour seedling and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - fib silvery , slimy trail .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , egest hiding places such as leaf debris , over - call on stack , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulch put up protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding station . In the spring , patrol for and put down ballock ( clusters of small-scale translucent heavens ) and adult during gloaming and aurora . Set out beer maw from later springiness through fall .
Many chemical controls are uncommitted on the market place , but can be venomous and deadly for shaver and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis commonly found on plant that do not have enough air travel circulation or adequate light . Problems are bad where nights are cool and day are affectionate and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is commonly found on the upper aerofoil of folio or fruit . leave of absence will often change state yellow or brown , curl up , and knock off off . young leaf issue crinkled and perverted . Fruit will be overshadow and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant repellent varieties and space plants decently so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is preponderant for rose wine . Go slowly on the N plant food . Apply fungicides according to label directions before problem becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all farewell , flowers , or debris in the fall and demolish . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or rotary , with a water soaked or yellow - adjoin appearance . Insects , rainwater , dirty garden tools , or even people can aid its spread head .
Prevention and Control : slay infected leaves when the plant is teetotal . Leaves that pick up around the base of the plant should be raked up and cast out of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungal leaf spots , use a recommend fungicide according to label focussing .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , tie in to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a broad diverseness of plants - indoor and outside . untested descale creeping until they find a adept feeding internet site . The adult females then misplace their leg and remain on a spot protected by its hard shell stratum . They appear as bump , often on the lower side of leaves . They have pierce sass parts that suck the sap out of works tissue . Scales can de-escalate a plant chair to icteric leafage and leafage drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can head to an unattractive black Earth’s surface fungal growth squall sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once lay down they are heavy to control . Isolate infested plants off from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension agency in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . advance rude foe such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It give on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scurf , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it breed / melanise the leaves and staunch of the plant life . The best way to control sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or washed off with a hose - end sprayer .
