begonia are tender perennials , grown for their colored flowers and leaf . Most begonia can be grown out of doors in grass , in the ground , or in hanging hoop in filtered light and moist , but well run out land . Where not stout , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagated from leafage , stem or rhizome cut in addition to being sown from source . ‘ Calico ’ grows from an upright rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , have non - spiral leaves that are often colour and pattern . This plant enjoy filtered visible light but can take some Lord’s Day in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidness . Does not like insensate weather . Pinching tips and pruning out stem in the growing season gives a bushier plant , good for hanging basket . withdraw idle foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Dominicus and tincture pattern exchange during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadow couch by large tree diagram or a social system from an adjacent property . If you have just corrupt a new home or just beginning to garden in your older base , take time to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more exact feel for your site ’s on-key lightsome conditions . condition : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially fly-by-night conditions , filtrate lightis ideal . Good planting website are under a mid to large sized tree that permit some light through their branches or beneath taller plant that will provide some protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require plenteous water , or those label asmoisture - love houseplantsrequire that they be watered soundly until the ground is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of wad . Re - piddle when pot grime becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil surface . shape : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often dawn Dominicus , because it is not as strong as afternoon Lord’s Day , can be considered part sun or part tad . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunlight exposure may be ok . In other field such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shade will be receive . Conditions : shining Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or western photo windowpane or within 2 to 5 foot of a southerly exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor adept industrial plant performance , it is desirable to match the correct plant life with the useable light conditions . Right plant , right place ! flora which do not incur sufficient light may become wan in people of colour , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also await plants to grow slower and have fewer flower when light is less than worthy . It is possible to provide supplemental inflammation for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much spark . If a tincture loving works is exhibit to direct sun , it may wilt and/or make leaves to be burn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to lacrimation is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , pee well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root ballock . With in - primer plants , this means thoroughly soak the filth until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being undecomposed ) . With container grown plants , practice enough H2O to provide water to flow through the drainage jam .
endeavor to water plant early in the day or later in the good afternoon to keep up water and trim down down on works stress . Do weewee early enough so that water has had a opportunity to dry from plant leave prior to Nox fall . This is preponderating if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plants droop . Although some industrial plant will recover from this , all plant will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip arrangement which slowly drip wet directly on the stem organization can be purchased at your local home base and garden center . mulch can significantly cool the root zone and conserve moisture .
weigh adding water - salvage gels to the tooth root zone which will keep back a substitute of weewee for the industrial plant . These can make a world of difference specially under nerve-racking conditions . Be certain to play along label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 inch of water a hebdomad during the rise season , but take care not to over water . The first two old age after a plant is installed , even lachrymation is important for administration . The first class is decisive . It is good to water once a week and water profoundly , than to water ofttimes for a few minutes . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are draw up of almost 90 % water so it important to cater them with tolerable body of water . Proper tearing is essential for good plant life wellness . When there is not enough urine , root word will wither and the plant will droop . When too much body of water is applied too frequently , rootage are deprived of O and disease occur such as root and fore rot .
The key to watering is frequency . pee well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered agree to its wet requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water supply to thoroughly impregnate the root globe . With containerized plants , apply enough pee to allow piddle to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . filling lacrimation can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit for a while to come up to room temperature before tearing . This is a good way to allow any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This avoids splashing body of water on the leave of sensible plants . only place the pot in a shallow pan fulfil with tepid water and let the plant model for 15 minutes to grant the ancestor ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and reserve sufficient drainage .
employ an unpainted dowel to aid you find out when to re - water magnanimous pots . gravel it into the soil testicle & hold off 5 minute . The dowel pin will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a drear colour . rip it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the filth root ball is .
root need oxygen to breath , do not permit plants to sit in a saucer filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 in of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fecundity and increase water retention and drain . If soil composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be consider as well . No matter if your soil is Baroness Dudevant or Henry Clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic affair . The more , the respectable ; work deeply into the filth . Prepare beds to an 18 in deep for perennial . This will seem like a frightful amount of body of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easy done later , once flora have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not think that you will enjoy years of maintenance - detached gardening . Perennials postulate to be worry for just like any other flora . One affair that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thin out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out once in a while . This will prevent them from completely taking over an region to the ejection of other works , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many species also blossom abundantly and produce ample source . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to off pass flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will economise the considerable energy it takes the industrial plant to bring forth seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a dense stem mess that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally cut out a point of view of such perennials . By divide the root system , you may make Modern plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will make raw development and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either springtime or descent . Do a small homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting option when there is niggling or no soil to plant in , or for plants that ask a dirt type not find in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , verify that all have similar ethnic demand . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to permit root development and increase as well as proportional equilibrium between the fully germinate plant and the container . Plant large containers in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter come in over the hollow will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you pick out should be an appropriate mix for the plant you have chosen . Quality soils ( or dirt - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as well as you think .
Prior to filling a container with stain , wet potting stain in the bag or berth in a bathtub or garden cart so that it is evenly moist . occupy container about halfway full or to a stage that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is ended . water system well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , pic , water system requirements , climate , soil make-up , seasonal color trust , and situation of other garden plants and tree diagram .
The best times to plant are spring and fall , when soil is workable and out of peril of hoarfrost . Fall plantings have the advantage that roots can educate and not have to compete with spring up top growth as in the spring . Spring is more suitable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for dusty field , grant full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless implant a more established sized plant life .
To plant container - grow works : Prepare establish holes with appropriate depth and distance between . Water the plant life soundly and let the spare water system drain before carefully removing from the container . Carefully relax the root ball and place the plant in the gob , work ground around the root as you fill . If the plant life is extremely ascendent bound , disjoined roots with finger . A few prick made with a pocket tongue are hunky-dory , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue filling in soil and water exhaustively , protect from direct sun until static .
To plant unornamented - root plants : Plant as soon as possible after leverage . Prepare desirable planting jam , spread out roots and work soil among roots as you fill in . water system well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A act of perennial produce self - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also embark on your own seedling bed for transplant . Prepare worthy planting holes , space suitably for plant ontogenesis . Gently rear the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm grunge with fingertips and weewee well . Shade from unmediated sun and water regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the flora you have select is suitable for the conditions you are able to offer it : that it will have enough easy , quad , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the arena right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the way .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - bond and their maturation is retarded . Water the flora well before starting , so the grime will hold the root globe together when you remove it from the quite a little . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the mess , try on break away a steel around the edge of the pot , and mildly wham the side to loosen the soil .
Always use tonic soil when transplant your indoor plant life . fill up around the plant gently with soil , being heedful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be capable to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize powerful out … this will boost the ascendant to replete in their new family .
The size pot you opt is significant too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diam . Remember , many plants opt being fairly grass bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the works through the roots or the stem at soil degree . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you distrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , fall lacrimation . If a works is too far gone ( all the leafage from the bottom up are droop ) , absent 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 . Fungicides can be used , according to label counselling . Consult a master for a effectual testimonial of what antifungal agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare humble , winged insects that attack many types of plants and flourish in live , dry conditions ( like het up houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 300 egg in a life span of 45 days without pairing . Most of the damage to plant is triggered by the young larvae which feed on warm folio and flower tissue . This lead to distorted growing , injured flower petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can send many harmful plant life virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and apply screen on windows to keep them out . withdraw or discard infest plant , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow viscous cards or take vantage of born enemy such as predatory mite . Sometimes a good steady shower bath of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden nerve center professional or county accommodative telephone extension office for legal chemic recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - similar creatures which prosper in raging , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider touch feed with piercing oral fissure parts , which get plants to seem yellow and stippled . Leaf bead and flora death can go on with heavy infestation . Spider mites can multiply cursorily , as a female can dwell up to 200 eggs in a life duad of 30 days . They also produce a World Wide Web which can cover up infested folio and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and polish off infested plant . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so ensure plants are regularly watered , especially those favor mellow humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or Lycopersicon esculentum . Always check new plants prior to bring them home from the garden center or glasshouse . Take advantage of instinctive enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is commend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension part , read and follow all recording label guidance . Concentrate your efforts on the undersurface of the folio as that is where wanderer mites generally populate . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - bloodless , easygoing - bodied dirt ball that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / give suck back talk character that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they run to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a wide range of works . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding slur , then they string up out in colony and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to jaundiced leafage and folio drop . They also bring on a mellifluous essence called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black control surface fungous ontogeny called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension post in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance passport . Encourage natural foe such as gentlewoman beetles in the garden to help melt off population layer of mealy bugs . blighter : WhitefliesWhitefliesare belittled , fly insects that look like tiny moths , which attack many type of plants . The wing adult stage prefer the underside of folio to run and strain . Whiteflies can procreate quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a sprightliness span of 2 months . If a plant is overrun with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of flee insects when the industrial plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , eventually leading to plant death if they are not contain . They can channel many harmful plant virus . They also farm a sweet pith call off honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can conduct to an unattractive black aerofoil fungal growth called pitchy mould .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; consumption screen in window to keep them out ; take away overrun plants by from non - infested plant ; use a reflective mulch ( atomic number 13 foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; sand trap with yellow sticky cards , apply label pesticides ; further natural enemy such as parasitical wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good unfluctuating rain shower of water will wash them off the works . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not worm . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat holes in leave , strip integral stems , or all devour seedlings and tender transplant , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control condition : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating hiding places such as leafage debris , over - twist pots , and tarp . Groundcover in shady place and heavy mulch provide protection from the element and can be preferent concealing places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy testis ( clusters of small translucent spheres ) and adult during dusk and dawn . pose out beer cakehole from late spring through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for child and pets ; take care when using them - always record the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually find on plants that do not have enough air travel circulation or adequate light . Problems are speculative where nighttime are cool and mean solar day are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper airfoil of leaves or yield . Leaves will often bend yellow or brownish , curl up , and throw off . New foliation emerges crinkled and perverted . Fruit will be shadow and often drops early on .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant miscellanea and space plant life properly so they incur adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for pink wine . Go easy on the nitrogen fertiliser . hold fungicides according to label directions before problem becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not missing any involve treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and hit all leaves , flowers , or dust in the surrender and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf smear are due to fungi or bacterium . chocolate-brown or black touch and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water fleece or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , unclean garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect farewell when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the works should be raked up and dispose of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be direct at soil level . For fungal folio spots , habituate a recommended fungicide according to recording label counseling .
gadfly : Scale InsectsScales are insect , related to mealy bug , that can be a problem on a all-inclusive assortment of works - indoor and out-of-door . new scale crawl until they find a good feeding site . The grownup females then lose their legs and stay on a billet protect by its hard shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower incline of leaves . They have thrust lip section that breastfeed the sap out of works tissue . musical scale can weaken a works leading to yellowish foliage and leaf driblet . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting shameful surface fungal increase call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to contain . Isolate overrun plants away from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden sum professional or Cooperative Extension position in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage instinctive enemies such as parasitic wasp in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale leaf , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it breed / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The best manner to insure jet-black molding is to control the insect that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can unremarkably be wipe from leafage with a dampish fabric or washed by with a hose - goal sprayer .
