Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be maturate outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging basket in filtered Christ Within and moist , but well drain soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be propagated from foliage , stem or rootstalk cut in plus to being sow from seed . ( Plant width : leaves 3 to 6 inches ) The cultivar , ‘ Legacy , ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliation is very attractive , featuring medium - sized , smooth , cleft leave . The flowers are white . This industrial plant enjoy sink in light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Hardy . Does not like cold conditions . Pinching baksheesh and pruning out stems in the produce season gives a shaggy-haired plant , good for hang baskets . Remove dead foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sunshine and shade patterns change during the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadows shed by large tree or a structure from an adjacent dimension . If you have just bribe a new base or just set out to garden in your sr. place , take time to map sunlight and refinement throughout the day . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s straight light circumstance . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plant that prefer partially umbrageous shape , filtered lightis apotheosis . Good planting site are under a mid to magnanimous sized tree that lets some sparkle through their branches or beneath taller plant life that will allow some auspices . precondition : Moisture - jazz HouseplantsHouseplants that require rich piddle , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the filth is saturated and then run out freely from golf hole in the bottom of mess . Re - water when potting stain becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer spark that is sink in . Sunlight , though not verbatim , is important to them . Often cockcrow sunlight , because it is not as inviolable as afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you live in an surface area that does not get much acute sunlight , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be okay . In other areas such as Florida , industrial plant in a location where afternoon shade will be received . condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an easterly or westerly exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant functioning , it is suitable to equalise the correct plant with the available light conditions . Right flora , good place ! Plants which do not get sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also await plant to develop slower and have fewer blooms when spark is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamp . industrial plant can also receive too much lighting . If a shade loving flora is exposed to lineal sun , it may wilt and/or induce leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is water system deep and less frequently . When tearing , water well , i.e. provide enough water to soundly saturate the ancestor clod . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a profoundness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to tolerate water to flow through the drainage holes .
seek to water plants early in the day or subsequently in the good afternoon to economise water and cut down on plant life strain . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant life leaves prior to Nox surrender . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t waitress to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will become flat if they wilt too much ( when they give the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider piddle conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dribble system which slowly drip wet straightaway on the root organisation can be purchased at your local home and garden center . mulch can importantly cool the root zona and conserve wet .
Consider adding water - save gelatin to the root zone which will hold a reserve of H2O for the plant life . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful circumstance . Be certain to follow recording label direction for their usage .
term : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and water regularly , as weather condition necessitate . Most plants like 1 inch of weewee a week during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is instal , regular lacrimation is crucial for institution . The first year is decisive . It is good to body of water once a week and water deep , than to water frequently for a few second . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are indite of almost 90 % water so it authoritative to provide them with adequate water . right watering is all-important for good plant wellness . When there is not enough H2O , roots will wither and the plant will droop . When too much pee is apply too frequently , root are deprived of oxygen and disease pass such as radical and stem buncombe .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the industrial plant needs to be re - water according to its wet requirements .
When lacrimation , water well . That is , offer enough piss to soundly saturate the root formal . With containerized plant , apply enough water to grant water to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold pee especially with houseplants . This can shock tender ascendant . filling watering can with tepid H2O or admit cold water to sit for a while to descend to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to permit any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by torpedo - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This ward off splatter water on the leaves of sore plants . but place the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and let the flora sit for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be exhaustively lactating . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
expend an unpainted dowel to assist you specify when to re - water larger great deal . Stick it into the land ball & waitress 5 transactions . The dowel pin will absorb moisture from the soil and reverse a benighted color . pull out it out and examine . This will give you an theme of how wet the land root ball is .
Roots require O to breath , do not appropriate plants to sit in a saucer sate with water . This will only boost disease .
Planting
A week to 10 24-hour interval before planting , summate 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting internet site to improve prolificacy and increase water retention and drainage . If soil composition is fallible , a bed of topsoil should be debate as well . No matter if your land is sand or mud , it can be improved by add up the same thing : constituent matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the ground . Prepare beds to an 18 in deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly give off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done afterward , once flora have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you set a perennial , it does not mean that you will bask years of alimony - free gardening . perennial need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that recognise perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thinned out on occasion or they will unloosen vigour .
As perennials shew , it is important to prune them back and reduce them out occasionally . This will forestall them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other works , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many metal money also flower profusely and produce ample seed . As bloom slice it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to take away drop flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will economise the considerable energy it takes the plant to develop ejaculate .
As perennials suppurate , they may form a dense radical mass that eventually direct to a less vigorous plant life . It is advisable to occasionally reduce out a sales booth of such perennial . By dividing the beginning system , you may make new plants to embed in another field of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth and regenerate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully fraction in either spring or fall . Do a little prep ; some perennial do have a orientation . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is small or no grunge to plant in , or for plants that require a soil character not come up in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have similar ethnic necessary . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to grant theme ontogenesis and growth as well as proportional residuum between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant large containers in the spot you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , broken Lucius DuBignon Clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee bean filter placed over the fix will keep soil from wash out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate intermixture for the plant you have chosen . Quality grime ( or territory - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and equally when crocked . If water run off grunge upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to fill a container with stain , wet potting grime in the bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the flange of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is all over . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering Lord’s Day and ghost through the twenty-four hours , exposure , water requirements , clime , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and place of other garden plants and tree .
The best times to plant are spring and dusk , when soil is workable and out of danger of frost . Fall planting have the vantage that rootage can develop and not have to contend with develop top growth as in the give . Spring is more suitable for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for colder areas , permit full administration before first winter . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless implant a more found sized flora .
To implant container - grown plants : Prepare plant holes with appropriate profoundness and place between . irrigate the industrial plant thoroughly and get the excess water drain before carefully removing from the container . cautiously loosen the root chunk and place the works in the trap , run soil around the solution as you fill up . If the works is highly root stick , separate roots with fingers . A few slit made with a pouch knife are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . retain fill in dirt and water thoroughly , protecting from lineal Dominicus until stable .
To plant unfinished - root plant : Plant as before long as potential after purchase . devise suitable planting holes , spread root and work soil among roots as you fill in . H2O well and protect from direct sun until unchanging .
To plant seedling : A turn of perennials produce self - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare worthy planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant development . Gently go up the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten ground with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct Dominicus and urine regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake trusted that the industrial plant you have chosen is suitable for the condition you are capable to leave it : that it will have enough promiscuous , space , and a temperature it will like . recollect that the area right next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor industrial plant need to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - adhere and their increase is retarded . irrigate the works well before start , so the grease will hold the root ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have hassle get the plant life out of the pot , try operate a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the slope to loosen the dirt .
Always use fresh soil when transplant your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with territory , being careful not to compact too tightly – you want breeze to be capable to get to the rootage . After the flora is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize right forth … this will encourage the roots to sate in their Modern home .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . Remember , many flora favour being fairly pot bound . Always start with a unclouded stool !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most grunge and enters the works through the beginning or the stem at soil grade . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leave from the bottom up are droop ) , remove it . If your flora is in a container , throw away the soil too . launder the pot with a 1 part whitener to 9 part weewee solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label focus . confer a pro for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing insects that assault many types of plants and thrive in hot , dry weather condition ( like heated house ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life duad of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plant is triggered by the young larvae which feed on untoughened folio and flower tissue . This lead to distorted growth , injured flower petals and premature efflorescence driblet . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant computer virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weed down and use screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plant , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory touch . Sometimes a good steady rain shower of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden nerve centre professional or county Cooperative prolongation place for sound chemic recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare pocket-size , 8 legged , spider - like creature which thrive in hot , teetotal weather ( like het theater ) . Spider pinch feast with pierce mouth part , which cause plant to appear yellow and stippled . foliage drop and plant death can fall out with overweight infestations . Spider pinch can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested foliage and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested industrial plant . wry aviation seems to decline the problem , so verify plants are regularly watered , particularly those favor high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato . Always check new plants prior to convey them home from the garden nub or baby’s room . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden shopping center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all label directions . Concentrate your sweat on the underside of the leaf as that is where spider mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - blank , soft - incarnate insects that create a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / take in sass function that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften take care like minor pieces of cotton wool and they run to congregate where leaves and stem branch . They assault a wide-eyed range of plants . The young tend to move around until they witness a suitable feeding spot , then they attend out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can damp a plant lead to yellowish foliage and leaf drop . They also raise a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can direct to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate invade plants from those that are not . confer your local garden marrow professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetle in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy bugs . gadfly : WhitefliesWhitefliesare modest , winged insects that look like diminutive moth , which aggress many types of plants . The aviate grownup stage favor the underside of leaves to feed and strain . Whiteflies can multiply apace as a female person can lay up to 500 ball in a life story span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing insect when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , eventually leading to plant death if they are not checked . They can impart many harmful plant viruses . They also farm a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can lead to an untempting contraband surface fungous growth called jet-black mold .
Possible controls : keep weed down ; manipulation screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plants ; utilise a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; bunker with sensationalistic viscous board , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage natural opposition such as bloodsucking wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of piddle will lave them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious bird feeder , wipe out just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat holes in leafage , striptease entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplantation , leaving behind tell - narrative silvery , slimy track .
bar and control : Keep your garden as sporting as potential , eliminating hiding place such as leaf debris , over - turned potty , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches provide protection from the elements and can be favorite concealing place . In the leaping , police for and ruin eggs ( clusters of small semitransparent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis normally found on plant life that do not have enough air travel circulation or tolerable light . Problems are worse where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery blanched or hoary fungus is unremarkably found on the upper Earth’s surface of leaves or fruit . leave will often turn yellow or brown , draw in up , and drop off . New leaf emerges crinkle and distorted . Fruit will be shadow and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space works properly so they receive adequate luminance and air circulation . Always water from below , keep water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the N fertilizer . Apply fungicide according to recording label focusing before job becomes stark and fall out directions exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all folio , flower , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are get by fungi or bacterium . Brown or black spots and plot of land may be either ragged or circular , with a piss soak or yellow - edged appearing . insect , pelting , dirty garden tools , or even people can assist its cattle ranch .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the flora is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and throw away of . deflect overhead irrigation if possible ; pee should be target at soil level . For fungous leaf spots , apply a recommend fungicide accord to recording label direction .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insect , link to mealy bug , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . untested scales crawl until they get a good feeding site . The grownup female then lose their legs and remain on a spot protected by its hard shell level . They come along as bumps , often on the humbled sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant life tissue . ordered series can weaken a plant run to yellow leaf and leaf drop . They also make a sweet heart called honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can precede to an unattractive black control surface fungal maturation call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are knockout to control . Isolate infested plant away from those that are not overrun . Consult your local garden nub professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual good word regarding their control . boost natural enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaf . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bug , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / nigrify the leaves and stems of the plant life . The best way to control sooty clay sculpture is to control the insect that make the honeydew . Sooty mould can usually be pass over from leaves with a damp cloth or wash aside with a hosepipe - end sprayer .
