Begonias are untoughened perennials , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grow outside in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filter out light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not stout , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be propagated from leafage , base or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . The ‘ New Hampshire ’ begonia is bushy and erect with succulent stems . The flower are everblooming and pink in color . The foliage is very attractive and variegated . This plant can endure full sun . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia develop very well in peat - base compost also . like humidness . Does not like cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning KO’d stems in the growing season give a bushier works .
Google Plant Images : sink in here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will discover that sun and tincture patterns convert during the day . The western side of a firm may even be shady due to shadows cast by large trees or a structure from an contiguous property . If you have just grease one’s palms a new home or just begin to garden in your old menage , take metre to map sun and shade throughout the sidereal day . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s true abstemious conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that favor partially shadowy term , filtered lightis nonpareil . adept planting land site are under a mid to heavy sized tree diagram that let some sparkle through their limb or beneath taller plant that will provide some protective cover . Conditions : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is little or no light in the maturate zone . Shade can be the result of a matured stand of Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or shadow cast by a house or edifice . plant that demand full shade are ordinarily susceptible to sunburn . Full shade beneath tree may pose additional problem ; not only is there no light , but contender for H2O , nutrients and root space .
Partial shademeans that an area receives filtered wanton , often through tall branches of an open raise tree . Root competition is normally less . Partial shade can also be reach by locate a plant beneath an arbor or lathe - same structure . Shadier sides of a building are unremarkably the northern or northeast side . These position also run to be a little tank . It is not rare for plant life that can tolerate full sun or some sun in cooler climates to require some shade in warmer climates due to stress direct on the plant from reduced moisture and overweening heating plant . weather : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that postulate ample water , or those label asmoisture - have a go at it houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from hole in the bottom of pot . Re - pee when potting soil becomes juiceless to the tactual sensation an inch or so below the ground surface . weather : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is removing the theme pourboire of a young industrial plant to promote furcate . Doing this avoids the motive for more grave pruning later on .
Thinning call for removing whole branches back to the body . This may be done to spread out up the interior of a plant to let more light in and to increase air circulation that can cut down on plant disease . The best fashion to begin thinning is to begin by removing dead or pathological wood .
Shearing is leveling the airfoil of a bush using hand or galvanizing shear . This is done to maintain the desired shape of a hedge or topiary .
Rejuvenating is removal of onetime branches or the overall reduction of the size of a shrub to restitute its original form and size . It is recommended that you do not remove more than one third of a plant at a fourth dimension . think to remove branches from the interior of the plant life as well as the outside . When rejuvenating plant with canes , such as nandina , reduce back canes at various heights so that plant will have a more raw look . precondition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly picture window or within 2 to 5 infantry of a southern exposure windowpane . weather : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant operation , it is suitable to jibe the correct plant with the available light conditions . ripe works , right place ! plant which do not get sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " load - out appearance . Also carry plant to grow slow and have fewer bloom of youth when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide auxiliary lighting for indoor plant with lamps . flora can also receive too much light . If a shade loving flora is expose to direct Sunday , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water system profoundly and less frequently . When watering , weewee well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - ground flora , this means exhaustively plume the ground until piss has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 in ( 1 ' being best ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to set aside water to flow through the drain holes .
judge to water plants early in the day or later in the afternoon to preserve weewee and cut down on plant tenseness . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant farewell prior to dark fall . This is predominate if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water supply until plant wilt . Although some plants will convalesce from this , all plant will die if they droop too much ( when they hit the permanent wilting pointedness ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dribble systems which tardily drop moisture straight off on the tooth root system can be purchased at your local abode and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool the beginning zone and preserve moisture .
Consider adding water - spare colloidal gel to the root zona which will make a substitute of water for the works . These can make a world of difference specially under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow label guidance for their consumption .
weather : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and water regularly , as conditions ask . Most plant like 1 column inch of water a hebdomad during the growing time of year , but take care not to over water . The first two year after a plant is installed , regular lachrymation is important for establishment . The first yr is vital . It is sound to weewee once a week and water profoundly , than to weewee frequently for a few proceedings . weather condition : Indoor WateringPlant are draw up of almost 90 % water so it important to provide them with equal water supply . Proper lachrymation is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough water , theme will shrivel up and the plant will droop . When too much water is applied too oft , root are deprived of O and diseases go on such as ancestor and radical bunk .
The tonality to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the industrial plant take to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , H2O well . That is , provide enough weewee to exhaustively saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough H2O to allow water to flow through the drainage muddle .
Avoid using cold water specially with houseplant . This can shock tender roots . filling lacrimation can with tepid water or allow cold piddle to sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the body of water to vaporise before being used .
Some industrial plant are well irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This forfend splashing weewee on the leaves of raw plant . merely place the mint in a shallow pan fulfil with tepid water and permit the industrial plant sit around for 15 minutes to admit the root ball to be soundly wet . Take out and permit sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to facilitate you determine when to re - water larger flowerpot . sting it into the soil chunk & look 5 minutes . The dowel will take in wet from the soil and sour a glum color . Pull it out and canvas . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 day before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility rate and increase water retention and drain . If stain writing is imperfect , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is grit or clay , it can be better by add the same thing : organic issue . The more , the better ; work late into the soil . fix bed to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of oeuvre now , but will greatly make up off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done subsequently , once plant have been prove . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy year of maintenance - free gardening . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant life . One thing that signalise perennial is that they tend to be active grower that have to be slim down out occasionally or they will let loose vigor .
As perennial base , it is of import to prune them back and thin them out on occasion . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the excommunication of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce ample seed . As blooms disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your works ; that is , to move out pass flowers before they form source . This will prevent your plant from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the industrial plant to bring out seed .
As perennials maturate , they may take form a dense root people that eventually run to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a rack of such perennials . By dividing the rootage organisation , you could make new plant to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will induce newfangled ontogenesis and rejuvenate the works . Most perennials may be successfully part in either spring or decline . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a taste . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature film , a planting option when there is little or no grunge to plant in , or for plant life that require a soil eccentric not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , check that that all have like cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and big enough to appropriate root growth and growth as well as proportional residuum between the to the full developed industrial plant and the container . Plant large containers in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage gob . A mesh screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a report coffee filter placed over the hole will keep grunge from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality territory ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and equally when wet . If water carry off territory upon initial passing water , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you retrieve .
Prior to fill a container with soil , wet pot ground in the bag or home in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will tolerate works , when planted , to be just below the flange of the raft . Rootballs should be level with soil note when project is complete . pee well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , photograph , body of water requirements , mood , grease makeup , seasonal colour desired , and position of other garden flora and tree .
The best times to found are spring and fall , when land is executable and out of danger of Robert Lee Frost . tumble planting have the vantage that theme can develop and not have to compete with develop top growth as in the give . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for colder surface area , allowing full organization before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless found a more install sized plant .
To found container - grown plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate deepness and blank space between . Water the industrial plant thoroughly and let the supererogatory piss waste pipe before carefully removing from the container . Carefully loose the rootage ball and point the plant in the muddle , working grunge around the roots as you sate . If the plant is extremely beginning truss , separate root with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket knife are o.k. , but should be preserve to a lower limit . Continue fill in dirt and water soundly , protect from unmediated sunshine until unchanging .
To set desolate - root plants : Plant as soon as potential after purchase . train suitable planting hole , spread roots and work grunge among root as you fill in . urine well and protect from direct sunshine until stable .
To set seedlings : A bit of perennials acquire self - sown seedling that can be transpose . You may also start your own seedling seam for transplanting . cook suitable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant ontogeny . mildly repeal the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from unmediated Dominicus and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the consideration you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will care . Remember that the area in good order next to a window will be colder than the quietus of the way .
Indoor plants demand to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - confine and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before set forth , so the dirt will take the root ball together when you dispatch it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , try running a vane around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the incline to loosen the soil .
Always apply fresh dirt when transfer your indoor plant . fill up around the plant life mildly with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you require air to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the plant is in the unexampled pot , do n’t fertilize right out … this will encourage the roots to occupy in their new home .
The sizing peck you choose is of import too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . Remember , many plants prefer being passably pot bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is detect in most soil and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your job , decrease watering . 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 skunk with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , harmonize to label directions . confabulate a professional for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , fly insects that attack many type of plants and fly high in hot , dry condition ( like het up house ) . They can breed quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a spirit span of 45 Clarence Day without sexual union . Most of the impairment to flora is induce by the new larvae which feed on tender folio and flower tissue . This leads to distorted growth , injured efflorescence petals and premature heyday dip . Thrips also can channel many harmful plant life viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and apply screen on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested flora . Trap with scandalmongering glutinous bill of fare or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory jot . Sometimes a honorable steady shower of water will wash them off the works . Consult your local garden center professional or county conjunctive extension place for legal chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like creatures which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth component part , which have works to come along yellow and speckled . Leaf drop and plant death can occur with arduous plague . wanderer pinch can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 ballock in a life span of 30 days . They also get a vane which can insure infested leaf and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep pot down and take away infested industrial plant . Dry gentle wind seems to worsen the trouble , so ensure plant are regularly watered , especially those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or love apple . Always check Modern plant prior to bringing them home from the garden center or baby’s room . Take vantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension agency , read and follow all label direction . contract your effort on the undersides of the leaf as that is where wanderer mites generally survive . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , obtuse - blank , soft - bodied insects that create a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / breastfeed oral cavity parts that suck the sap out of works tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small piece of cotton and they be given to congregate where leaves and stem ramification . They attack a wide reach of plants . The young tend to move around until they rule a suited feeding smear , then they give ear out in Colony and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to icteric foliage and leaf drop . They also give rise a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal outgrowth called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension position in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage natural enemy such as dame beetle in the garden to help reduce universe levels of mealy hemipteran . pestilence : WhitefliesWhitefliesare modest , winged insects that look like flyspeck moths , which assault many eccentric of plant . The flying adult stage prefer the underside of leaves to feed and stock . whitefly can breed quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life story span of 2 months . If a plant life is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of flee insects when the plant is disturbed . whitefly can undermine a plant , eventually run to plant death if they are not contain . They can transmit many harmful plant virus . They also bring out a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black aerofoil fungal growth call in sooty cast .
Possible controls : keep Mary Jane down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; off infested plants away from non - infested plant ; habituate a reflective mulch ( Al foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; hole with yellow sticky notice , apply pronounce pesticides ; encourage born enemies such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will launder them off the industrial plant . Pest : lick and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood and are shellfish , not insects . They can be wolfish bird feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may exhaust holes in parting , strip total stems , or completely devour seedling and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , wretched trails .
Prevention and command : Keep your garden as unobjectionable as possible , eliminating hiding blank space such as leaf debris , over - turn pot , and tarps . Groundcover in funny place and sound mulch provide protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and put down eggs ( clusters of small translucent spheres ) and adult during dusk and morning . Set out beer traps from later spring through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the market , but can be venomous and deadly for children and PET ; take care when using them - always take the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily found on plant that do not have enough air circulation or decent light . problem are worse where night are cool and sidereal day are warm and humid . The powdery white or grey-headed fungus is unremarkably retrieve on the upper open of leaf or fruit . leave will often rick yellowish or brown , curl up up , and set down off . unexampled foliation emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drop early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant smorgasbord and space industrial plant the right way so they receive adequate lighting and tune circulation . Always H2O from below , keeping piddle off the foliage . This is overriding for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicide according to label directions before job becomes severe and watch directions on the nose , not missing any required treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean house up and dispatch all leaves , flowers , or detritus in the fall and ruin . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are do by fungus kingdom or bacteria . dark-brown or black spotlight and plot of ground may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rainfall , pestiferous garden putz , or even people can serve its bedspread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected foliage when the flora is dry . leaf that pull together around the radical of the plant should be raked up and cast aside of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; body of water should be orchestrate at soil layer . For fungal leaf spots , habituate a recommended fungicide according to recording label direction .
gadfly : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a extensive sort of plants - indoor and outdoor . new scale crawl until they find a good eating web site . The grownup females then lose their legs and remain on a dapple protect by its gruelling shell layer . They appear as hump , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth part that sop up the sap out of plant tissue paper . scale can weaken a works leading to white-livered foliage and foliage fall . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can conduce to an unattractive black surface fungous growth call off jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to ascertain . Isolate infested plants aside from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension post in your county for a effectual testimonial regarding their controller . Encourage natural enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden . fungus kingdom : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew pass from aphids , mealy bug , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / nigrify the folio and stanch of the plant . The good agency to control sooty mould is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mould can usually be wipe from leaf with a damp cloth or wash off with a hose - end sprayer .
