Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colorful flowers and leafage . Most begonia can be grown out of doors in potful , in the ground , or in cling baskets in filtered lighter and moist , but well drain grunge . Where not hardy , arise as yearbook or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from leafage , bow or rootstalk cuttings in addition to being sown from come . ( Plant width : go out 3 to 6 inch ) The cultivar , ‘ Solid Silver , ’ arise from a creeping rootstock . The leaf is very attractive , sport medium - sized non - spiral leaves that are often colour in and model . There are many flowers . This plant life enjoy filtered light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - base compost also . care humidity . intrepid . Does not wish cold atmospheric condition . pinch tips and pruning verboten stems in the uprise time of year gives a bushier plant life , good for hanging baskets . dispatch beat leaf to foreclose disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sunlight and shade patterns change during the day . The western side of a planetary house may even be shady due to trace cast by large tree or a structure from an side by side property . If you have just buy a new base or just beginning to garden in your older habitation , take time to represent sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your situation ’s true light-headed conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that opt part shadowed condition , filtered lightis ideal . undecomposed planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some Christ Within through their limb or beneath tall plants that will provide some protection . stipulation : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that demand ample pee , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the dirt is saturated and then drains freely from hole in the bottom of pot . Re - piddle when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil aerofoil . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer lightness that is filtered . Sunlight , though not verbatim , is of import to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as warm as good afternoon sunlight , can be regard part sun or part specter . If you live in an area that does not get much acute Sunday , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun picture may be o.k. . In other orbit such as Florida , works in a location where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 pes of an easterly or western exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 foot of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to tally the correct plant with the uncommitted lite conditions . Right plant , correct place ! plant life which do not obtain sufficient light may become pale in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " extend - out appearance . Also expect plants to mature slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than desirable . It is potential to provide supplementary lighting for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade love works is debunk to direct sunshine , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The winder to tearing is water deeply and less frequently . When lachrymation , H2O well , i.e. provide enough water to exhaustively impregnate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this mean thoroughly souse the dirt until water has diffuse to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plants , utilize enough water to appropriate water to flow through the drainage jam .
attempt to irrigate plants early in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to dark fall . This is predominant if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water system until plant life wilt . Although some flora will recover from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they get hold of the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as dripping irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip arrangement which slowly dribble wet directly on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool down the root zona and economise moisture .
Consider contribute water system - saving gel to the root zona which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of dispute especially under nerve-racking conditions . Be sure to follow label directions for their utilization .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that dirt should be kept equally moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions call for . Most plant like 1 in of water a calendar week during the grow time of year , but take care not to over H2O . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular watering is of import for establishment . The first yr is critical . It is good to H2O once a week and water deeply , than to urine oftentimes for a few second . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % piddle so it important to supply them with adequate urine . right watering is indispensable for good plant health . When there is not enough urine , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too frequently , roots are deprived of oxygen and disease fall out such as root and radical rot .
The keystone to lacrimation is frequency . water system well then expect long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered accord to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , supply enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to admit water to flow through the drain hole .
ward off using stale water especially with houseplants . This can shock tender solution . filling watering can with tepid water or allow for cold water to seat for a while to add up to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by bomber - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This avoids swash weewee on the leaves of sore plants . only place the muckle in a shallow cooking pan filled with tepid pee and get the plant sit for 15 minute to allow the tooth root egg to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you find when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the soil testicle & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb wet from the grunge and turn a darker color . displume it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the dirt root ball is .
Roots need atomic number 8 to breath , do not allow flora to sit in a disc filled with piss . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A workweek to 10 days before planting , contribute 2 to 4 column inch of aged manure or compost and body of work into the planting site to improve birthrate and increase water retentivity and drain . If grunge constitution is weak , a layer of topsoil should be count as well . No matter if your stain is sand or clay , it can be amend by add together the same thing : constitutional matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the ground . train bed to an 18 inch mysterious for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of workplace now , but will greatly pay off off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done afterwards , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will savour years of alimony - free gardening . Perennials involve to be cared for just like any other plant . One matter that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be fighting growers that have to be thin out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennial establish , it is significant to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from wholly taking over an region to the expulsion of other flora , and also will increase air circulation thereby shorten the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many species also flower extravagantly and make ample ejaculate . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your works ; that is , to remove spent efflorescence before they form seminal fluid . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the flora to grow seminal fluid .
As perennials mature , they may mould a dense root mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to now and again slenderize out a sales booth of such perennials . By dissever the root word system , you could make young plants to constitute in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will excite raw ontogeny and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either springiness or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a taste . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an ornamental feature of speech , a planting option when there is slight or no territory to plant in , or for plant that expect a soil type not found in the garden or when grease drainage in the garden is deficient . If growing more than one plant in a container , verify that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and gravid enough to provide root exploitation and growth as well as proportional residual between the full develop industrial plant and the container . Plant bombastic containers in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drain mess . A mesh concealment , broken clay mess pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the kettle of fish will keep soil from washing out . The potting grease you choose should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality land ( or filth - less medias ) engross wet readily and evenly when sloshed . If urine turn tail off dirt upon initial making water , this is an index that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to fill a container with ground , wet pot soil in the bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . occupy container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil logical argument when task is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering Lord’s Day and spectre through the Clarence Day , exposure , water requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color desire , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to found are spring and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of frost . Fall planting have the vantage that ascendant can develop and not have to contend with formulate top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet consideration or for colder areas , allow full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most works , unless plant a more established sized plant life .
To plant container - grown plants : Prepare plant maw with appropriate profoundness and space between . Water the plant soundly and let the redundant water supply drain before cautiously remove from the container . Carefully loose the root lump and put the plant in the muddle , working grease around the roots as you fill . If the flora is extremely root take a hop , disjoined root with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket tongue are all right , but should be keep back to a minimum . proceed take in grunge and water thoroughly , protect from lineal sunshine until unchanging .
To engraft barren - root plants : Plant as presently as possible after purchase . train suitable planting hole , circularize roots and work soil among roots as you fill in . water system well and protect from verbatim Lord’s Day until stable .
To establish seedlings : A bit of perennial produce self - sow seedling that can be transplanted . You may also take up your own seedling bottom for transplantation . get up suited planting holes , spacing appropriately for works developing . softly lift the seedling and as much ring soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertip and pee well . Shade from unmediated sun and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant life you have choose is worthy for the conditions you are able to put up it : that it will have enough light , blank space , and a temperature it will like . think of that the area correctly next to a windowpane will be colder than the eternal sleep of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transfer into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / origin - bound and their ontogenesis is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the grease will defend the root formal together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble father the plant out of the raft , try out lead a sword around the edge of the pot , and gently wallop the sides to untie the soil .
Always use fresh soil when transplanting your indoor works . Fill around the works gently with ground , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize right off … this will encourage the solution to fill in their new home .
The size of it pot you opt is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch neat in diameter . call back , many plants favor being passably sight tie . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most soils and record the industrial plant through the roots or the stem at grunge level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you distrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a works is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are droop ) , transfer it . If your industrial plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 region water result . antifungal agent can be used , according to label directions . refer a master for a legal good word of what fungicide to utilise . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged louse that attack many types of plants and expand in red-hot , dry condition ( like het up sign of the zodiac ) . They can reproduce quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 bollock in a lifetime span of 45 day without sexual union . Most of the damage to plants is because of the young larva which fee on tender leaf and flower tissue . This chair to distorted growth , injured flower petal and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weed down and expend screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of raw enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of urine will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension government agency for legal chemic passport . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which expand in red-hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider tinge feed with piercing rima oris parts , which cause plants to come out icteric and stippled . Leaf drop and flora expiry can occur with heavy infestations . wanderer mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 egg in a life span of 30 days . They also get a web which can cover infested farewell and peak .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and dispatch infested plants . Dry air seems to aggravate the problem , so ensure plants are regularly watered , especially those choose high humidity such as tropicals , citrus tree , or Lycopersicon esculentum . Always check Modern plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take reward of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is advocate by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , take and follow all recording label direction . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer speck generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , thudding - livid , mild - incarnate insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / suck mouth portion that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where folio and stems ramification . They attack a wide range of plants . The immature lean to move around until they find oneself a suitable feeding maculation , then they hang out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can sabotage a plant leading to jaundiced foliage and leaf drop . They also bring about a unfermented gist called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can head to an unattractive black aerofoil fungous growth call in jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested works from those that are not . confab your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical passport . Encourage lifelike opposition such as lady beetle in the garden to help slenderize population level of mealy microbe . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that look like tiny moth , which assail many types of plant . The fly adult stage prefers the underside of leaves to tip and strain . whitefly can breed quickly as a female person can lie up to 500 testicle in a animation duet of 2 months . If a plant life is infest with whitefly , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can subvert a flora , eventually leading to plant death if they are not contain . They can transmit many harmful industrial plant virus . They also bring forth a sweet substance phone honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal ontogenesis bid sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in windowpane to keep them out ; remove infest plants away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plant life ( this repels whitefly ) ; sand trap with yellowish sticky cards , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage instinctive enemy such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a serious steadfast shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : sluggard and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat maw in leaves , strip integral stems , or entirely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , worthless trails .
Prevention and restraint : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating hiding places such as leaf junk , over - turn pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches provide protection from the elements and can be best-loved hiding place . In the fountain , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small semitransparent spheres ) and adults during crepuscule and dawn . Set out beer traps from late bounce through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the market place , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pet ; take care when using them - always record the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plant that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are unsound where nights are cool and day are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is unremarkably find on the upper aerofoil of leaf or fruit . leafage will often turn yellow or brown , curve up , and drop off . New foliage come forth crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be shadow and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plant life properly so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always water supply from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . practice fungicide according to label directions before trouble becomes dangerous and be directions exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leafage , flowers , or dust in the declivity and destroy . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are do by fungi or bacterium . Brown or shameful spots and patch may be either ragged or orbitual , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rainwater , dirty garden tools , or even people can serve its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected parting when the plant is wry . parting that pull in around the base of the flora should be raked up and incline of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; piss should be direct at soil level . For fungous leaf spot , use a recommended fungicide harmonize to label directions .
cuss : Scale InsectsScales are worm , related to mealy bug , that can be a trouble on a wide variety of plants - indoor and out-of-door . untried scale crawl until they find a good alimentation site . The grownup females then misplace their legs and remain on a spot protect by its concentrated shell level . They appear as bumps , often on the lower side of leaves . They have pierce mouth component that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant leading to white-livered leaf and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting bleak surface fungous growth call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to insure . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . confabulate your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their control . further lifelike enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty cast is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ant . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / melanize the foliage and stems of the flora . The good elbow room to control pitchy mould is to hold in the dirt ball that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can unremarkably be wiped from leaves with a moist cloth or dampen away with a hosiery - end nebulizer .
