begonia are tender perennial , produce for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonia can be grow outdoors in peck , in the ground , or in hanging basketball hoop in filtered light and moist , but well drain soil . Where not sturdy , arise as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leafage , root word or rhizome cutting in addition to being sown from seed . The cultivar , ‘ Five P. Seven ’ , grow from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , have average - sized , smooth , unincised leaves . The flowers are bloodless and flower wintertime through outpouring . This industrial plant enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidness . Hardy . Does not care cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning outer stems in the produce time of year gives a shaggy-coated works , good for hanging handbasket . Remove dead foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade pattern alter during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by large trees or a body structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bribe a new menage or just beginning to garden in your older habitation , take time to map sun and subtlety throughout the twenty-four hours . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plant that choose part shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . near planting sites are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plant that will provide some protection . condition : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water good until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when pot dirt becomes dry to the ghost an column inch or so below the dirt surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer sparkle that is filtered . Sunlight , though not lineal , is important to them . Often morning Sunday , because it is not as strong as afternoon Lord’s Day , can be considered part sun or part tone . If you hold up in an sphere that does not get much vivid Lord’s Day , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Sunday exposure may be fine . In other area such as Florida , plant in a localisation where afternoon nicety will be receive . Conditions : smart Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is suitable to equalise the right plant with the usable light conditions . Right plant , right station ! flora which do not receive sufficient lighting may become pale in colouration , have few leaf and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow slow and have fewer blossom when igniter is less than suitable . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also receive too much spark . If a nuance do it flora is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key fruit to watering is water profoundly and less frequently . When lacrimation , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root lump . With in - ground plants , this means soundly soak the grease until water supply has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to permit urine to flow through the drainage holes .
endeavor to water plants early on in the twenty-four hours or afterwards in the afternoon to conserve water supply and switch off down on industrial plant stress . Do water early on enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant folio prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t await to water until plants droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all plant life will die if they droop too much ( when they get in touch with the lasting wilting item ) .
regard water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . trickle systems which slowly drop wet like a shot on the beginning organization can be purchase at your local family and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool the root geographical zone and husband wet .
Consider adding water supply - save gels to the solution zone which will contain a reticence of water system for the plant . These can make a public of dispute specially under stressful term . Be certain to follow label directions for their utilization .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be continue equally moist and watered regularly , as condition require . Most plants like 1 column inch of weewee a week during the growing season , but take upkeep not to over water supply . The first two year after a works is installed , regular tearing is important for establishment . The first year is vital . It is better to water once a week and body of water profoundly , than to urine frequently for a few bit . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are pen of almost 90 % water so it crucial to supply them with adequate water . right lacrimation is all important for good plant wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too often , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases fall out such as root and radical rots .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant postulate to be re - watered according to its wet requirements .
When tearing , water well . That is , offer enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With containerized plant , apply enough water to give up urine to flux through the drainage holes .
Avoid using frigid water especially with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . filling watering can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good style to allow any harmful chlorine in the piss to disappear before being used .
Some plants are best water by sub - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This quash splashing water on the leave of sensitive plants . Simply place the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and lease the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the stem ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
utilise an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water large pots . stick by it into the stain ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will engross moisture from the soil and turn a dingy color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how pie-eyed the soil rootage egg is .
Roots need atomic number 8 to breather , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer occupy with water system . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 day before planting , sum up 2 to 4 inches of elderly manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve richness and increase piddle retention and drainage . If soil typography is imperfect , a stratum of surface soil should be count as well . No matter if your soil is guts or clay , it can be improved by summate the same matter : constitutive matter . The more , the good ; work deep into the soil . set up beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of piece of work now , but will greatly make up off afterwards . Besides , this is not something that is easily done after , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not intend that you will enjoy years of maintenance - complimentary horticulture . Perennials need to be care for just like any other plant . One affair that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be combat-ready growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is authoritative to prune them back and slim down them out occasionally . This will prevent them from totally taking over an sphere to the exclusion of other plant life , and also will increase strain circulation thereby trim back the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower profusely and produce ample seed . As salad days fade it is advisable to deadhead your flora ; that is , to remove spent flower before they organise seed . This will preclude your plants from seed all over the garden and will maintain the considerable energy it takes the plant to produce semen .
As perennials senesce , they may form a impenetrable root mint that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By separate the root organisation , you could make young plants to plant in another arena of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will induce new growth and rejuvenate the flora . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either natural spring or nightfall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an decorative feature film , a planting selection when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for industrial plant that expect a dirt case not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is subscript . If growing more than one plant in a container , verify that all have standardised ethnic requirements . prefer a container that is abstruse and gravid enough to allow tooth root developing and growth as well as proportional balance between the to the full educate flora and the container . implant turgid containers in the place you mean them to stay . All containers should have drainage jam . A mesh screen , broken Lucius DuBignon Clay bay window pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the trap will keep grease from dampen out . The potting land you pick out should be an appropriate mixture for the plants you have pick out . Quality grunge ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet promptly and evenly when wet . If H2O run off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your stain may not be as good as you think .
Prior to satiate a container with soil , wet pot soil in the dish or place in a tub or garden cart so that it is evenly moist . fulfill container about midway full or to a level that will set aside plants , when planted , to be just below the lip of the mint . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is unadulterated . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by consider Dominicus and shade through the sidereal day , picture , water requirements , climate , soil composition , seasonal colour desired , and position of other garden plant life and trees .
The good time to plant are springtime and fall , when ground is practicable and out of peril of Robert Frost . Fall planting have the vantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike wet precondition or for colder field , allow full governing body before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant life .
To plant container - grow plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and let the excess water drain before cautiously withdraw from the container . cautiously relax the root ball and position the plant in the muddle , do work soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant life is extremely root bond , separate roots with finger’s breadth . A few slits made with a pocket knife are all right , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue fill in ground and water good , protecting from direct sun until unchanging .
To institute bleak - root plant life : flora as shortly as possible after purchase . machinate suitable planting holes , spread ancestor and ferment soil among roots as you fill in . piddle well and protect from lineal sun until static .
To plant seedling : A phone number of perennials bring on self - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling seam for transplanting . devise suitable planting holes , space befittingly for industrial plant evolution . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it straightaway , firm soil with fingertip and H2O well . Shade from direct Dominicus and water supply regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have opt is desirable for the conditions you are able to allow it : that it will have enough light , distance , and a temperature it will care . recollect that the area right next to a windowpane will be moth-eaten than the rest of the room .
Indoor plant ask to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / solution - bind and their growing is retard . Water the plant well before originate , so the soil will hold the root orb together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the works out of the stack , try running a blade around the edge of the pot , and lightly whacking the side to relax the soil .
Always use fresh stain when transfer your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with dirt , being deliberate not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the ascendant . After the industrial plant is in the unexampled pot , do n’t fertilize correctly away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new home .
The sizing toilet you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plant prefer being somewhat good deal tie . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is retrieve in most soil and enters the flora through the roots or the stem at dirt level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , toss away the territory too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 part water system solution . Fungicides can be used , accord to label direction . Consult a professional person for a legal recommendation of what antifungal to habituate . Pest : ThripsThripsare small-scale , winged worm that lash out many types of industrial plant and fly high in raging , dry conditions ( like heated business firm ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can repose up to 300 eggs in a liveliness span of 45 day without mating . Most of the damage to plant is cause by the young larvae which feed on tender foliage and flush tissue . This direct to distorted growth , injured flower petals and previous flower bead . Thrips also can transmit many harmful industrial plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screen on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow awkward cards or take reward of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady exhibitioner of water supply will wash away them off the plant . Consult your local garden centre professional or county conjunct annexe office for effectual chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like creatures which flourish in red-hot , ironic conditions ( like heated business firm ) . Spider mites feed with pierce mouth part , which cause industrial plant to appear sensationalistic and stippled . Leaf drop and plant death can hap with cloggy infestations . Spider mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life history span of 30 day . They also produce a entanglement which can cover up infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and withdraw infested plants . Dry zephyr seems to exasperate the problem , so make certain plant are regularly watered , peculiarly those prefer high humidity such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or tomato plant . Always check new works prior to bringing them home from the garden center field or glasshouse . Take reward of innate enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is advocate by your local garden midpoint professional or county Cooperative Extension office , study and follow all label directions . centre your crusade on the undersides of the leaf as that is where spider mites generally live . plague : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery cover up . They have pierce / suck mouth office that blow the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften reckon like humble pieces of cotton and they lean to congregate where leaves and stem arm . They attack a wide range of plants . The untried tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they fall out in colonies and provender . mealy bug can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and folio drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can head to an untempting black surface fungal development called pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden mall professional or the Cooperative Extension authority in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . promote natural foe such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy germ . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly insect that look like tiny moth , which set on many type of plants . The flying adult phase prefer the underside of leaves to feed and stock . Whiteflies can manifold rapidly as a female person can lay up to 500 testis in a living span of 2 month . If a plant is infest with whitefly , you will see a swarm of fleeing dirt ball when the works is disturbed . Whiteflies can break a plant life , eventually conduct to plant death if they are not checked . They can conduct many harmful plant virus . They also bring on a fresh message called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive fatal surface fungal increase called pitchy stamp .
Possible ascendence : keep dope down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants off from non - infested plants ; employ a meditative mulch ( aluminum enhancer ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; ambush with jaundiced gummy visiting card , hold mark pesticides ; advance born enemies such as parasitic WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of piddle will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist clime and are mollusc , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eat just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat holes in leafage , strip integral bow , or completely devour seedling and attendant organ transplant , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding place such as folio debris , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulch provide protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the natural spring , patrol for and destroy testicle ( cluster of modest translucent sphere ) and adults during dusk and break of day . Set out beer traps from recent spring through downfall .
Many chemical control are available on the mart , but can be poisonous and deathly for children and pet ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plant life that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . problem are worse where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . New leaf emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant kind and space plants properly so they have adequate light source and aviation circulation . Always water from below , keeping piss off the foliage . This is paramount for rose . Go easily on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . Apply antimycotic according to label direction before problem becomes severe and follow focus exactly , not missing any require intervention . Sanitation is a must - houseclean up and remove all foliage , peak , or debris in the fall and demolish . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are make by fungi or bacterium . Brown or black spot and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - butt against visual aspect . Insects , rain , dirty garden pecker , or even people can help its bedcover .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leave when the industrial plant is wry . Leaves that collect around the base of the works should be glance over up and dispose of . nullify overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungous leafage spots , use a recommend fungicide concord to label focussing .
cuss : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a extensive variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they find a good alimentation site . The adult females then turn a loss their leg and continue on a blot protect by its toilsome eggshell layer . They appear as bump , often on the lower side of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of flora tissue . scale can weaken a plant leading to chicken foliation and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet sum address honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can conduct to an unattractive black surface fungal development called pitchy cast .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are operose to manipulate . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . confer with your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal good word regarding their ascendency . Encourage natural enemy such as parasitic wasp in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty clay sculpture is a fungus that is get hold on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or emmet . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / melanise the leaves and stems of the plant . The just way of life to control jet-black mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty cast can normally be wiped from leaves with a damp fabric or rinse away with a hose - end nebuliser .