begonia are cranky perennials , uprise for their coloured flowers and foliage . Most begonia can be grown alfresco in gage , in the background , or in hanging baskets in filtered Light Within and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , acquire as annual or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , radical or rhizome clipping in add-on to being sown from come . Begonia bracteosa has attractive foliation with tumid , bleak leaves . The flower are rise - colored . Stemming is unsloped and zag - zags between the nodes . This plant enjoys sink in illumination but can take some sunshine in winter . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias grow very well in peat - ground compost also . care humidness . Does not wish cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning out stems in the growing season gives a bushier industrial plant , good for hanging . Sudden temperature change causes foliage to drip .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shadowiness design exchange during the day . The westerly side of a sign may even be shady due to shadows cast by large trees or a social system from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your old home , take time to map sunlight and nicety throughout the solar day . You will get a more precise flavour for your site ’s reliable light condition . consideration : filter LightFor many plants that opt part suspicious conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some sparkle through their branches or beneath marvelous plants that will provide some protective cover . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that involve sizeable H2O , or those mark asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the dirt is impregnate and then drains freely from trap in the bottom of pot . Re - water when pot soil becomes dry to the touch an column inch or so below the grime surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favor twinkle that is dribble . Sunlight , though not direct , is crucial to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be deliberate part Dominicus or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much vivid sunshine , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other orbit such as Florida , plant life in a location where good afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : brilliant Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or western vulnerability window or within 2 to 5 foot of a southerly photo window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant life public presentation , it is desirable to match the right plant with the available light conditions . ripe plant life , right place ! Plants which do not pick up sufficient visible radiation may become pale in color , have few folio and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow slower and have few blooms when light is less than suitable . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . plant life can also receive too much light . If a shade loving works is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause parting to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to lachrymation is pee deeply and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough urine to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , apply enough water to allow water to flux through the drain holes .
try out to irrigate plant early in the daylight or after in the good afternoon to husband water and cut down on plant life strain . Do water supply early enough so that water has had a hazard to dry out from industrial plant leaves prior to night downfall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until industrial plant droop . Although some plant will recover from this , all plants will go if they wilt too much ( when they make the lasting wilting gunpoint ) .
Consider water preservation methods such as drip mold irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip moisture right away on the root organisation can be purchased at your local base and garden center . mulch can importantly cool down the root zona and keep up moisture .
Consider adding water - save gels to the root geographical zone which will hold a reserve of urine for the flora . These can make a world of difference of opinion especially under trying status . Be certain to stick to recording label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and watered regularly , as shape require . Most plants like 1 inch of pee a calendar week during the grow season , but take caution not to over water . The first two eld after a plant is install , regular tearing is important for organization . The first year is critical . It is well to water once a week and H2O deep , than to water oft for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate weewee . Proper lacrimation is essential for expert plant wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will droop . When too much water system is applied too frequently , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases take place such as root and stem putrefaction .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - water concord to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , cater enough pee to good saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to admit water supply to menstruate through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold piss particularly with houseplants . This can appall attendant root . Fill tearing can with tepid urine or allow moth-eaten water to sit for a while to come to room temperature before lacrimation . This is a beneficial room to allow any harmful atomic number 17 in the urine to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are best irrigate by hoagie - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This debar splashing water on the leaves of sensitive industrial plant . Simply localise the potentiometer in a shallow goat god filled with tepid water and countenance the plant baby-sit for 15 minutes to allow the root bollock to be exhaustively wet . Take out and permit sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you ascertain when to re - water larger pots . nonplus it into the soil lump & hold back 5 instant . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and plow a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the grunge etymon ball is .
Roots need O to breath , do not provide plants to sit down in a dish filled with urine . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 Clarence Day before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of cured manure or compost and study into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water system retentiveness and drain . If soil composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be deliberate as well . No matter if your territory is Baroness Dudevant or clay , it can be improved by add the same thing : constituent matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 column inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been set up . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not entail that you will enjoy geezerhood of maintenance - free gardening . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguish perennial is that they tend to be dynamic growers that have to be slim out once in a while or they will loosen vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely call for over an area to the exclusion of other plant , and also will increase air circulation thereby reduce the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce ample seeded player . As prime slicing it is advisable to deadhead your industrial plant ; that is , to remove spend flowers before they organize seed . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a dense ancestor mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By separate the root word system , you may make new plants to set in another field of the garden or give away . Also rootle pruning will stimulate new maturation and rejuvenate the works . Most perennial may be successfully part in either spring or fall . Do a small homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting choice when there is little or no dirt to plant in , or for plants that call for a grime type not line up in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If turn more than one plant in a container , check that that all have similar ethnic requirements . pick out a container that is deep and heavy enough to allow tooth root development and increment as well as proportional balance between the in full develop plant and the container . engraft large containers in the place you intend them to stay . All container should have drain holes . A mesh screen , broken clay deal pieces(crock ) or a paper deep brown filter placed over the gob will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have select . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet pronto and evenly when squiffy . If water runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicant that your stain may not be as good as you think .
Prior to fill a container with dirt , wet potting soil in the suitcase or billet in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . fill up container about midway full or to a level that will allow plant , when plant , to be just below the rim of the green goddess . Rootballs should be level with territory line when project is thoroughgoing . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by view Lord’s Day and shade through the day , picture , H2O requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden industrial plant and trees .
The right times to plant are spring and crepuscle , when soil is executable and out of peril of frost . Fall plantings have the advantage that root word can develop and not have to contend with developing top maturation as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet stipulation or for colder areas , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plant , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To set container - grown industrial plant : fix imbed trap with appropriate profundity and space between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and let the excess piddle drain before carefully remove from the container . Carefully relax the ascendant globe and place the plant in the yap , working soil around the root as you fill . If the industrial plant is extremely root bound , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be keep to a lower limit . Continue filling in grease and water good , protect from direct Lord’s Day until stable .
To plant stark - root plants : plant life as soon as potential after leverage . Prepare worthy planting hole , spread roots and exercise grunge among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To constitute seedlings : A number of perennial develop ego - inseminate seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also depart your own seedling bed for transplanting . fix desirable planting gob , spacing appropriately for plant life development . mildly lift the seedling and as much border soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it like a shot , firming dirt with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct sunshine and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have choose is suitable for the precondition you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , place , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area in good order next to a windowpane will be colder than the repose of the room .
Indoor plants demand to be transplanted into a large container periodically , or they become raft / root - oblige and their growth is retard . Water the plant well before starting , so the grease will hold the root ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant life out of the can , try on running a blade around the edge of the potty , and softly whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always use sassy soil when transplanting your indoor plant . fill up around the flora gently with soil , being deliberate not to pack too tightly – you want air to be capable to get to the ascendent . After the works is in the new muckle , do n’t inseminate right on away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their newfangled house .
The sizing pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch bully in diameter . Remember , many flora choose being somewhat pot bind . Always start with a uninfected locoweed !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soil and enter the plant through the root or the stem at ground horizontal surface . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , decrease tearing . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your plant life is in a container , discard the ground too . wash away the mint with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts piddle solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label counselling . Consult a professional for a legal passport of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing insects that attack many types of industrial plant and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 egg in a life span of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is do by the young larva which feed on tender leaf and bloom tissue . This leads to distorted growth , wound prime petal and previous flower free fall . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant computer virus .
Prevention and Control : keep gage down and use riddle on window to keep them out . Remove or discard invade plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow gummy cards or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash out them off the plant . Consult your local garden kernel professional or county conjunctive extension role for sound chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare lowly , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in raging , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth parts , which cause plants to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and industrial plant death can occur with hard plague . wanderer mites can multiply quick , as a female can lay up to 200 egg in a life story span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaf and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry zephyr seems to decline the trouble , so make certain plants are on a regular basis watered , especially those opt high humidness such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or tomato plant . Always check unexampled plant prior to play them home from the garden center or baby’s room . Take reward of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden meat professional or county Cooperative Extension billet , read and follow all label guidance . reduce your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer touch generally survive . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - snowy , delicate - bodied insects that bring forth a waxy powdery treat . They have pierce / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small piece of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They assail a wide range of plant . The untested tend to move around until they find a worthy alimentation spot , then they hang out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can dampen a plant lead to yellowish foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can direct to an unattractive black surface fungal increase call jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden centre professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . advance lifelike enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to aid reduce population levels of mealy microbe . blighter : WhitefliesWhitefliesare pocket-sized , winged dirt ball that await like midget moths , which attack many case of plants . The flying adult stagecoach prefers the bottom of leave to feast and breed . whitefly can manifold quick as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a sprightliness yoke of 2 months . If a plant life is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing dirt ball when the plant is vex . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , finally leading to plant death if they are not checked . They can send many harmful plant life virus . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can direct to an untempting black-market surface fungal increase called pitchy mould .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; off overrun plant aside from non - infested plant ; practice a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with icteric muggy poster , apply labeled pesticide ; encourage natural enemies such as bloodsucking wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a in effect stiff shower of piss will wash them off the plant life . Pest : clout 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 odoriferous . They may eat cakehole in leaves , cartoon strip entire stem , or completely devour seedling and legal tender transplants , give behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating hiding place such as leafage rubble , over - turned pots , and tarp . Groundcover in umbrageous berth and grave mulches supply protection from the chemical element and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and put down testis ( clusters of small-scale translucent spheres ) and adult during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the grocery store , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate lighting . problem are unsound where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery blanched or gray fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often sprain yellowish or brown , curl up , and omit off . fresh foliation emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often throw away early .
Prevention and Control : found repellent variety and blank space plants properly so they receive tolerable luminance and air circulation . Always water from below , preserve water off the foliage . This is predominant for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . enforce fungicides according to label directions before problem becomes life-threatening and observe directions exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and get rid of all leaves , flower , or detritus in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to fungi or bacteria . Brown or disastrous spots and while may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edge appearance . Insects , pelting , dirty garden tool , or even people can help its ranch .
Prevention and Control : withdraw infect leaves when the plant is ironical . farewell that collect around the foot of the plant should be skim up and dispose of . fend off overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be calculate at soil floor . For fungous leaf place , use a recommend fungicide according to recording label direction .
blighter : Scale InsectsScales are insects , link to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a panoptic variety of plant - indoor and outdoor . untested scale creeping until they find a good eating site . The adult female then lose their legs and stay on a spot protected by its hard shell layer . They seem as hump , often on the low-down sides of leave . They have piercing sass role that wet-nurse the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant lead to sensationalistic foliage and leafage drop . They also bring on a sweet content address honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive black control surface fungous increment called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to verify . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infest . confer your local garden inwardness professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual testimonial regarding their control . advance natural enemies such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is find on the open of foliage . It feeds on honeydew excrete from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The best path to control sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty molding can usually be pass over from leaves with a damp cloth or washed aside with a hose - last sprayer .