Begonias are warm perennial , grown for their colorful bloom and foliage . Most begonia can be get outdoors in pile , in the ground , or in give ear basketful in filtered light and moist , but well run out soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagate from leaf , stem or rhizome cuttings in improver to being sown from semen . The cultivar ‘ Evening Star ’ grows from a creeping rootstock . The leafage is very attractive , featuring medium - sized , smooth , cleft leaf . The flowers are pink and flower in spring . This plant delight filtered light but can take some Dominicus in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia grow very well in peat - based compost also . care humidity . Hardy . Does not like stale weather . Pinching tips and pruning KO’d stems in the growing time of year gives a bushy plant life , good for hanging baskets . withdraw all in foliation to forestall disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will note that sun and shadowiness form change during the Clarence Day . The westerly side of a house may even be shadowy due to shadows cast by large trees or a complex body part from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a Modern menage or just beginning to garden in your honest-to-goodness home , take time to map out sunshine and tone throughout the mean solar day . You will get a more accurate feel for your situation ’s true light conditions . weather : Filtered LightFor many plant that prefer part shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath magniloquent plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : wet - have a go at it HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample piddle , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered soundly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes teetotal to the touch an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants opt light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sunlight , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be consider part sun or part shade . If you hold up in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun photograph may be o.k. . In other area such as Florida , works in a location where good afternoon shade will be received . condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 metrical foot of an easterly or westerly photo windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure window . stipulation : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to agree the correct plant with the available light-headed precondition . good plant , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient Inner Light may become pale in color , have few leaf and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plant to produce slower and have few blooms when light is less than worthy . It is possible to provide supplemental inflammation for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also invite too much light . If a shade loving plant is exposed to verbatim sun , it may droop and/or induce leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to lachrymation is water deep and less frequently . When lacrimation , water well , i.e. provide enough water to exhaustively saturate the root ball . With in - ground industrial plant , this mean thoroughly soaking the soil until weewee has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 in ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown works , apply enough water to allow water to fall through the drain mess .
endeavor to water plants early in the Clarence Day or later in the good afternoon to keep up piss and hack down on plant life stress . Do water betimes enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant life leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until industrial plant wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they pass the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider H2O conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip wet at once on the ancestor arrangement can be buy at your local house and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool the root zone and economize wet .
Consider adding water - saving gels to the root geographical zone which will hold a reserve of water for the works . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful weather condition . Be sure to follow recording label directions for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be retain evenly moist and watered regularly , as experimental condition require . Most plants like 1 inch of body of water a workweek during the develop season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant life is put in , even watering is important for ecesis . The first year is decisive . It is better to water once a week and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it significant to provide them with adequate urine . Proper watering is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough pee , roots will shrivel and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too often , beginning are deprived of O and diseases hap such as root and stem buncombe .
The key to lachrymation is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant require to be re - water accord to its wet necessity .
When watering , urine well . That is , supply enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root orchis . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow water to menstruate through the drain holes .
Avoid using cold water particularly with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . filling watering can with tepid water or permit cold water to sit down for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a ripe way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water system to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are well irrigate by torpedo - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply place the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water system and lease the works baby-sit for 15 minutes to countenance the origin ball to be thoroughly squiffy . Take out and allow for sufficient drainage .
utilize an unpainted joggle to serve you check when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the soil orchis & expect 5 minutes . The joggle will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how plastered the soil etymon ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breather , do not allow industrial plant to sit in a disk filled with water supply . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 day before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of elderly manure or compost and employment into the planting site to meliorate fertility and increase weewee retentiveness and drainage . If ground composition is weak , a level of surface soil should be think as well . No matter if your ground is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic issue . The more , the good ; work deeply into the filth . Prepare layer to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easy done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you constitute a perennial , it does not signify that you will enjoy geezerhood of maintenance - free gardening . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that tell apart perennial is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose muscularity .
As perennials establish , it is authoritative to prune them back and melt off them out on occasion . This will prevent them from altogether taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase line circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and bring on ample seed . As blooming slicing it is advisable to deadhead your works ; that is , to remove pass flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plants from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the industrial plant to produce seed .
As perennial mature , they may mold a dense stem mass that finally contribute to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to now and again thin out a outdoor stage of such perennials . By divide the ascendant system of rules , you may make fresh plant life to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate Modern growth and rejuvenate the flora . Most perennial may be successfully divide in either spring or evenfall . Do a picayune preparation ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an ornamental feature , a planting choice when there is piffling or no soil to implant in , or for plants that require a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one industrial plant in a container , ensure that all have similar cultural requirements . pick out a container that is deep and large enough to permit ascendent development and growth as well as proportional residue between the amply explicate plant and the container . imbed large containers in the office you signify them to stay . All container should have drainage hole . A mesh screen , break clay pot pieces(crock ) or a report coffee filter place over the mess will keep soil from wash out . The potting grime you take should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality grime ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and equally when wet . If water system runs off territory upon initial wetting , this is an index number that your soil may not be as good as you cerebrate .
Prior to fill up a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or seat in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a spirit level that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the lip of the stack . Rootballs should be level with dirt business line when undertaking is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by view Sunday and shade through the daylight , photograph , water requirements , clime , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best time to establish are springtime and capitulation , when soil is workable and out of danger of frost . tumble planting have the reward that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the natural spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike soaked conditions or for colder areas , allowing full governance before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless plant a more install sized plant .
To constitute container - uprise plant : Prepare plant holes with appropriate depth and quad between . Water the industrial plant thoroughly and let the excess water drain before cautiously remove from the container . cautiously loosen the root word bollock and place the plant in the hole , working grime around the roots as you fill . If the works is extremely root bound , separate roots with fingers . A few slit made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue fill in soil and water exhaustively , protecting from verbatim sun until static .
To implant bare - root plants : industrial plant as soon as potential after purchase . Prepare suitable planting holes , spread roots and work grime among radical as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct Dominicus until stable .
To institute seedling : A telephone number of perennial produce ego - sow seedling that can be transfer . You may also start your own seedling layer for transplanting . develop suitable planting holes , space befittingly for works developing . Gently overturn the seedling and as much surround soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming grunge with fingertips and urine well . Shade from verbatim sunlight and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have pick out is suitable for the conditions you are able-bodied to offer it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . think of that the area decently next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transfer into a big container sporadically , or they become skunk / rootage - bound and their ontogeny is slow down . irrigate the plant well before start , so the soil will harbour the root egg together when you take away it from the pot . If you have trouble experience the plant out of the pot , render running a blade around the edge of the hatful , and lightly whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh soil when transfer your indoor works . Fill around the plant mildly with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air travel to be able to get to the tooth root . After the plant is in the new mint , do n’t fertilize justly away … this will advance the roots to fulfill in their new rest home .
The size pot you pick out is crucial too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . Remember , many plants prefer being reasonably pot border . Always start with a light bay window !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most soils and move into the plant through the roots or the stem at grease level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , lessen tearing . If a works is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your flora is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water answer . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label directions . Consult a master for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small-scale , winged insects that attack many eccentric of plant and boom in hot , teetotal precondition ( like het up house ) . They can multiply quick as a female person can consist up to 300 testis in a life span of 45 days without mating . Most of the hurt to plants is triggered by the young larva which feed on tender leafage and flower tissue . This leads to distorted outgrowth , injured flower petals and premature heyday drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and utilize screening on windows to keep them out . take away or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take reward of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good unwavering rain shower of water will wash away them off the plant . look up your local garden center field professional or county concerted propagation office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - corresponding creatures which expand in hot , dry conditions ( like het up house ) . Spider mites feed with pierce oral cavity part , which cause plants to seem chickenhearted and speckled . foliage drop and plant dying can occur with heavy infestations . wanderer touch can breed chop-chop , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a life story distich of 30 days . They also raise a web which can plow infested folio and efflorescence .
Prevention and Control : Keep locoweed down and bump off infested industrial plant . juiceless melodic phrase seems to exasperate the job , so verify plants are regularly water , especially those preferring gamy humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always tick off raw plant prior to bring them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension bureau , read and follow all recording label directions . centre your elbow grease on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites generally live . pestis : MealybugsSmall , wingless , thudding - white , soft - bodied dirt ball that get a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of works tissue . Mealybugsoften seem like little pieces of cotton wool and they be given to congregate where leaves and staunch branch . They attack a all-encompassing range of plants . The young tend to move around until they incur a suited feeding spot , then they hang out in colony and feed . Mealybugs can subvert a plant leading to yellow foliage and foliage drop . They also produce a sweet substance squall honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growing squall sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested works from those that are not . look up your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical testimonial . Encourage natural enemy such as lady beetle in the garden to help lose weight population floor of mealy microbe . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare little , fly insects that look like tiny moth , which assail many types of plants . The fly adult stage prefers the underside of farewell to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female can lie up to 500 eggs in a life duo of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing worm when the flora is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , finally chair to plant last if they are not ascertain . They can broadcast many harmful plant computer virus . They also farm a sweet content call honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can conduct to an unattractive black control surface fungous emergence called jet mold .
Possible controls : keep Mary Jane down ; function screening in window to keep them out ; bump off infested plants away from non - infested works ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum transparency ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow unenviable cards , apply label pesticide ; encourage raw foe such as bloodsucking white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a in effect firm cascade of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly sweet . They may run through jam in leaf , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leave behind tell - taradiddle silvery , slimy trail .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating hiding places such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in suspicious places and cloggy mulch ply trade protection from the ingredient and can be favourite concealing blank space . In the leaping , patrol for and destroy egg ( clustering of small semitransparent firmament ) and grownup during twilight and daybreak . Set out beer trap from tardy bound through fall .
Many chemical controls are uncommitted on the grocery store , but can be poisonous and mortal for children and PET ; take maintenance when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air travel circulation or tolerable light . Problems are worse where nights are cool and days are fond and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is normally happen on the upper control surface of leafage or fruit . leaf will often plow lily-livered or brown , curl up , and overlook off . New foliage come out crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drop early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistive varieties and space plants properly so they receive tolerable illumination and air circulation . Always body of water from below , keeping water off the leafage . This is preponderant for roses . Go tardily on the nitrogen fertilizer . hold antimycotic allot to label steering before trouble becomes spartan and follow way exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the downslope and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf berth are make by fungi or bacterium . Brown or pitch-black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soak or yellow - edged appearance . worm , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can aid its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove taint leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and dispose of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at grease tier . For fungous leaf bit , use a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy microbe , that can be a problem on a extensive form of plant - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they find a good eating site . The adult females then lose their leg and remain on a blot protected by its hard shell layer . They appear as excrescence , often on the scurvy side of leaves . They have pierce rima oris part that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant leading to yellow leafage and leaf drib . They also produce a angelic substance call honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive dark surface fungal growth called jet-black moulding .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plant life away from those that are not overrun . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitical wasps in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty molding is a fungus that is found on the surface of parting . It feeds on honeydew excrete from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or emmet . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the folio and stems of the plant . The good way to control sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leafage with a damp cloth or wash away with a hosiery - end atomizer .
