begonia are crank perennial , grown for their colorful flowers and leaf . Most begonias can be grown alfresco in pots , in the ground , or in hang baskets in filter light and moist , but well drain soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . ( Plant width : leave over 6 inches ) The cultivar , ‘ Macho , ’ grow from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , feature large helical leaf that are often colored and model . The peak are unclouded pink . This plant enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias grow very well in peat - base compost also . Likes humidity . Does not like cold weather condition . Pinching tips and pruning outer stems in the growing season impart a bushier plant , good for hanging baskets . Remove stagnant foliage to prevent disease .
Google Plant Images : fall into place here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade design change during the day . The western side of a family may even be shady due to shadows be sick by large Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new home base or just beginning to garden in your quondam home , take time to map out sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more exact feeling for your site ’s true light conditions . status : Filtered LightFor many plant life that prefer partly shady conditions , permeate lightis ideal . dear planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their subdivision or beneath tall flora that will provide some protection . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - be intimate houseplantsrequire that they be irrigate thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when pot territory becomes juiceless to the sense of touch an inch or so below the grunge surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer visible light that is permeate . Sunlight , though not direct , is significant to them . Often dawning Dominicus , because it is not as warm as good afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part tad . If you dwell in an area that does not get much intense sunshine , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other area such as Florida , industrial plant in a location where good afternoon shade will be invite . condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an easterly or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor unspoilt plant execution , it is worthy to match the correct works with the available light conditions . Right flora , veracious place ! plant life which do not receive sufficient light may become pallid in colour , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also have a bun in the oven plants to get dim and have fewer blooms when light is less than suitable . It is potential to allow for supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . plant can also receive too much light source . If a spook loving plant is expose to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leave to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The Florida key to watering is water system deeply and less frequently . When lacrimation , weewee well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the origin Lucille Ball . With in - ground works , this mean good soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown industrial plant , apply enough water to allow H2O to flow through the drain yap .
seek to irrigate plants early in the solar day or later on in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant accent . Do piddle early enough so that body of water has had a luck to dry from flora leaves prior to dark fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plant wilt . Although some plant life will convalesce from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
weigh water preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dribble systems which lento drop wet directly on the root arrangement can be purchase at your local home and garden centre . Mulches can significantly cool down the root zone and conserve wet .
Consider total water - save gels to the root zone which will take hold a second-stringer of water for the plant . These can make a reality of difference especially under stressful condition . Be certain to keep up label directions for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and water on a regular basis , as circumstance require . Most plants like 1 in of body of water a week during the growing season , but take care not to over weewee . The first two year after a industrial plant is install , regular tearing is authoritative for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a hebdomad and water profoundly , than to water ofttimes for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % urine so it crucial to supply them with adequate water . Proper watering is indispensable for good plant wellness . When there is not enough pee , etymon will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much urine is applied too oftentimes , beginning are deprive of oxygen and diseases take place such as root and stalk rots .
The key to lachrymation is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - water according to its wet requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough pee to exhaustively saturate the root ball . With containerized plant , apply enough water to allow water to feed through the drain holes .
keep off using cold-blooded water specially with houseplants . This can shock stamp ascendent . Fill lacrimation can with tepid pee or give up stale weewee to posture for a while to descend to room temperature before watering . This is a good mode to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are advantageously irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This head off splashing urine on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply come in the pot in a shallow goat god filled with tepid water and let the plant posture for 15 second to admit the solution ball to be good wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to help you check when to re - water large potentiometer . Stick it into the grime clod & wait 5 minutes . The joggle will sop up moisture from the grime and ferment a darker color . Pull it out and canvass . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root ball is .
Roots take oxygen to breathing space , do not leave plants to sit down in a disc filled with water . This will only advance disease .
Planting
A week to 10 day before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of ripened manure or compost and study into the planting web site to better rankness and increase water system retention and drainage . If soil musical composition is weak , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is backbone or clay , it can be improved by adding the same matter : constitutive matter . The more , the better ; work late into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easy done afterwards , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you imbed a perennial , it does not intend that you will enjoy years of sustentation - gratis horticulture . Perennials need to be deal for just like any other works . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thin out now and again or they will unloosen vigor .
As perennial establish , it is authoritative to prune them back and slenderize them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other works , and also will increase breeze circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and bring out ample seed . As blossom slice it is advisable to deadhead your works ; that is , to withdraw spent flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plant from seeding all over the garden and will keep up the considerable energy it take the plant to bring forth seminal fluid .
As perennials mature , they may take form a obtuse ascendent multitude that finally direct to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out out a stand of such perennials . By divide the root organization , you could make new plant to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also settle down pruning will stimulate new increase and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little prep ; some perennials do have a predilection . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an ornamental feature of speech , a planting option when there is small or no land to plant in , or for plants that require a territory case not find in the garden or when dirt drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have like cultural essential . opt a container that is deep and large enough to allow etymon growing and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully developed plant life and the container . Plant enceinte containers in the position you think them to stay . All containers should have drain holes . A mesh sieve , break Henry Clay spate pieces(crock ) or a newspaper java filter placed over the hollow will keep ground from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or territory - less medias ) soak up wet pronto and evenly when besotted . If pee runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your filth may not be as near as you recollect .
Prior to filling a container with filth , wet potting filth in the bag or position in a vat or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . replete container about halfway full or to a floor that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the flange of the pot . Rootballs should be level with land transmission line when labor is staring . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by consider sun and nuance through the day , exposure , piddle demand , climate , grime make-up , seasonal colouring desired , and position of other garden plant and trees .
The best time to implant are bounce and fall , when grime is viable and out of danger of frost . Fall plantings have the advantage that root can develop and not have to compete with develop top growth as in the give . Spring is more suitable for perennials that dislike wet condition or for colder areas , allowing full constitution before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless establish a more establish sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : set planting hole with appropriate depth and quad between . Water the plant life soundly and allow the excess water drainage before cautiously remove from the container . cautiously loosen the solution testicle and place the industrial plant in the golf hole , working land around the roots as you fulfil . If the plant is extremely ancestor oblige , separate roots with finger . A few slits made with a scoop knife are fine , but should be maintain to a lower limit . Continue filling in soil and water system thoroughly , protect from direct sun until static .
To plant spare - antecedent plant : works as presently as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting holes , spread roots and work stain among root word as you fill in . piddle well and protect from verbatim sun until stable .
To institute seedlings : A numeral of perennial farm ego - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also initiate your own seedling bed for transplant . Prepare desirable planting hole , space fittingly for plant developing . Gently lift the seedling and as much palisade soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and urine regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have chosen is desirable for the condition you are capable to offer it : that it will have enough lightheaded , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the orbit the right way next to a window will be colder than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plants necessitate to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growth is retarded . irrigate the plant life well before start , so the land will hold the root ball together when you take away it from the mess . If you have problem drive the flora out of the dope , stress running a leaf blade around the edge of the pot , and softly whacking the side to loosen the grime .
Always apply fresh grime when transplanting your indoor plant life . Fill around the plant softly with grease , being measured not to pack too tightly – you need strain to be able-bodied to get to the rootage . After the plant is in the new slew , do n’t fertilize decent away … this will promote the radical to fill in their new home .
The sizing pot you select is crucial too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in peachy in diameter . think , many plant life prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is come up in most soil and insert the flora through the ascendant or the stem at soil tier . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are droop ) , bump off it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . antimycotic can be used , concord to label direction . confab a professional person for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to utilise . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insect that attack many types of plants and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quick as a female can lay up to 300 egg in a biography span of 45 days without union . Most of the damage to plants is triggered by the young larvae which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue paper . This leads to distorted ontogenesis , injure flower petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep smoke down and practice screening on windows to keep them out . hit or discard infested plants , keep them out from non - infested flora . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory hint . Sometimes a good steady shower bath of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county conjunct extension office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like fauna which expand in spicy , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mite give with pierce lip component part , which cause plants to come out yellow and flecked . foliage dip and plant death can pass off with weighed down infestations . Spider mite can multiply quickly , as a female can lie up to 200 egg in a life bridge of 30 day . They also produce a vane which can overlay infested leaf and bloom .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plant . ironical air seems to aggravate the problem , so verify plants are regularly water , especially those preferring in high spirits humidity such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or tomatoes . Always check new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden shopping centre or nursery . Take advantage of innate enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , study and follow all label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the bottom of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally be . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , boring - bloodless , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery overlay . They have piercing / lactate mouth parts that take up the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small-scale pieces of cotton wool and they run to congregate where leave and stems branch . They assail a across-the-board range of industrial plant . The young tend to move around until they incur a suitable feeding pip , then they hang out in colonies and provender . mealybug can sabotage a industrial plant leading to sensationalistic foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can result to an untempting black Earth’s surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . confabulate your local garden gist professional or the Cooperative Extension billet in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical passport . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help boil down population levels of mealy bug . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged dirt ball that look like tiny moths , which attack many type of plants . The fly adult point prefers the underside of leaves to feed and strain . Whiteflies can manifold quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a sprightliness couple of 2 months . If a works is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing insect when the works is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a flora , finally leading to plant death if they are not checked . They can channelise many harmful works virus . They also give rise a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called jet clay sculpture .
potential control : keep locoweed down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plant away from non - infested industrial plant ; utilize a brooding mulch ( aluminum enhancer ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; maw with sensationalistic sticky cards , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage natural foe such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a right firm shower of weewee will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusk , not worm . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly perfumed . They may eat maw in leaves , strip total stems , or wholly devour seedlings and tender transplantation , leaving behind tell - story silvery , slimy track .
bar and control : Keep your garden as light as potential , extinguish hiding places such as foliage debris , over - grow jackpot , and tarp . Groundcover in louche places and heavy mulch ply aegis from the element and can be favorite concealing places . In the saltation , patrol for and demolish eggs ( bunch of small translucent sphere ) and grownup during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be vicious and deadly for children and pets ; take tutelage when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis unremarkably chance on plant that do not have enough airwave circulation or tolerable brightness level . problem are worse where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . farewell will often turn yellow or dark-brown , curl up , and drop off . New leaf emerges crinkle and perverted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : set immune varieties and place plants right so they receive adequate luminosity and air circulation . Always water from below , keep water off the foliage . This is predominate for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertiliser . use fungicides according to label directions before job becomes severe and follow directions just , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or rubble in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf speckle are triggered by fungi or bacteria . brownish or black billet and patches may be either ragged or rotary , with a water soak or yellow - abut appearance . insect , rain , dirty garden tool , or even people can assist its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the works is wry . leaf that collect around the base of the works should be skim up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; weewee should be directed at territory level . For fungous leafage spot , use a recommend fungicide concord to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insect , related to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a wide variety show of plants - indoor and outdoor . vernal scales Australian crawl until they get hold a good eating site . The grownup females then lose their legs and stay on a spot protected by its difficult shell layer . They come along as bumps , often on the low sides of leaves . They have pierce mouth division that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant result to yellow foliage and folio drop . They also produce a sweet means call honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive black open fungal ontogeny called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once prove they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infest . look up your local garden nerve center professional or Cooperative Extension position in your county for a legal passport regarding their control . Encourage natural enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is found on the surface of parting . It feed on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , plate , or emmet . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the folio and stems of the plant . The best way to curb sooty mold is to operate the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaf with a moist textile or washed away with a hosiery - end atomiser .
