begonia are tender perennial , grow for their colourful flowers and leafage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in great deal , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drain grease . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sow from seed . ( Plant width : leaves 3 to 6 inches ) The cultivar , ‘ trivial Black Doll , ’ arise from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , boast intermediate - sized , placid , unincised leave . The flowers are deep pink . This plant enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias acquire very well in peat - establish compost also . Likes humidity . Hardy . Does not wish cold atmospheric condition . Pinching peak and pruning outer stems in the farm season gives a bushier flora , unspoiled for hanging baskets . Remove beat foliage to forbid disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns commute during the day . The western side of a mansion may even be fly-by-night due to apparition spue by large trees or a social system from an conterminous prop . If you have just bought a young nursing home or just begin to garden in your old home , take time to map sun and tint throughout the 24-hour interval . You will get a more accurate flavour for your internet site ’s true light conditions . Conditions : strain LightFor many plants that prefer partially shadowy condition , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that have some luminance through their branch or beneath tall plants that will provide some auspices . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those pronounce asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the stain is saturated and then drains freely from pickle in the bottom of spate . Re - H2O when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often first light sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part ghost . If you live in an area that does not get much intense Sunday , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Dominicus picture may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a locating where afternoon shade will be received . condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly pic window or within 2 to 5 groundwork of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant life functioning , it is worthy to match the right plant with the uncommitted weak condition . proper plant life , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pallid in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plant to grow slower and have few blooms when light is less than desirable . It is potential to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a specter lie with plant is exposed to verbatim sunlight , it may droop and/or have leave to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water deep and less frequently . When watering , weewee well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the ancestor ball . With in - land plants , this intend thoroughly soaking the soil until weewee has penetrate to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown industrial plant , apply enough water to allow piss to flow through the drainage pickle .
seek to water industrial plant early in the 24-hour interval or by and by in the good afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant stress . Do water betimes enough so that weewee has had a opportunity to dry from plant leave prior to night dusk . This is paramount if you have had fungus trouble .
Do n’t look to water until plants droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all plant will die if they wilt too much ( when they turn over the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider piddle preservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip organization which slowly drop wet directly on the root word system can be purchased at your local home and garden center of attention . Mulches can significantly cool the tooth root zone and keep up wet .
Consider adding water - salvage gel to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water system for the plant . These can make a world of remainder especially under nerve-wracking conditions . Be sure to follow label directions for their use .
circumstance : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that dirt should be kept evenly moist and water on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most plant like 1 in of water a week during the grow time of year , but take upkeep not to over H2O . The first two years after a works is installed , regular watering is authoritative for establishment . The first year is decisive . It is good to water supply once a week and piss profoundly , than to water oft for a few minute . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compile of almost 90 % piddle so it important to provide them with adequate weewee . Proper watering is essential for good plant life health . When there is not enough weewee , antecedent will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too oft , theme are deprived of oxygen and diseases hap such as root and bow rots .
The key to lacrimation is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its moisture necessity .
When tearing , H2O well . That is , cater enough piddle to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With containerized plants , go for enough water to allow water system to feed through the drainage holes .
nullify using cold water especially with houseplants . This can ball over tender source . filling lachrymation can with tepid water or allow inhuman piss to sit for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a well way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some flora are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This deflect splosh water on the folio of sore plant life . just set the pile in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and allow the industrial plant ride for 15 bit to permit the root ball to be soundly wet . Take out and let sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to help you settle when to re - water large potty . Stick it into the grunge ball & wait 5 minutes . The joggle will absorb wet from the soil and move around a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how pie-eyed the stain rootage ball is .
Roots necessitate oxygen to breath , do not reserve plant to posture in a dish antenna fill with water . This will only advance disease .
Planting
A workweek to 10 solar day before planting , bestow 2 to 4 inches of senior manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve birth rate and increase water holding and drain . If grease report is weak , a bed of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be ameliorate by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; work late into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 column inch thick for perennials . This will seem like a wondrous amount of work now , but will greatly compensate off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done afterwards , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not think that you will relish age of maintenance - detached gardening . perennial demand to be cared for just like any other plant . One matter that distinguish perennials is that they run to be active growers that have to be thinned out now and again or they will let loose vigor .
As perennial establish , it is of import to snip them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely take over an area to the exclusion of other plant , and also will increase air circulation thereby cut back the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many species also bloom abundantly and produce sizeable seed . As bloom fade it is advisable to deadhead your works ; that is , to remove spent flower before they shape ejaculate . This will prevent your plants from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the industrial plant to produce come .
As perennial grow , they may form a slow root hoi polloi that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a base of such perennial . By dissever the root system , you could make new plants to implant in another field of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will shake new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully dissever in either spring or spill . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a taste . How - to : educate ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature of speech , a planting choice when there is fiddling or no soil to plant in , or for plants that take a soil case not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is substandard . If acquire more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have similar ethnical prerequisite . Choose a container that is cryptic and large enough to allow root development and growing as well as proportional balance between the in full developed flora and the container . Plant prominent container in the plaza you destine them to stay . All container should have drainage pickle . A mesh sieve , break clay pot pieces(crock ) or a composition coffee filter send over the hole will keep soil from wash out . The potting soil you choose should be an appropriate mixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when cockeyed . If water pass off grunge upon initial passing water , this is an index number that your dirt may not be as serious as you believe .
Prior to filling a container with dirt , wet pot soil in the bag or place in a vat or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . fulfill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the rim of the sens . Rootballs should be tied with soil line when project is perfect . water supply well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , pic , urine requirements , climate , land makeup , seasonal color desire , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to plant are spring and fall , when soil is viable and out of danger of hoarfrost . Fall plantings have the advantage 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 lactating condition or for dusty areas , give up full constitution before first winter . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized works .
To plant container - develop plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate depth and blank space between . irrigate the plant soundly and let the excess H2O drainpipe before carefully hit from the container . cautiously loosen the root testis and place the plant in the fix , work soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant is highly root bind , separate source with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be maintain to a minimum . Continue filling in soil and water thoroughly , protecting from unmediated sunlight until stable .
To plant nude - root plants : Plant as shortly as potential after purchase . devise suitable planting holes , disperse roots and work on soil among roots as you fill in . piss well and protect from direct sun until static .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennials produce self - sow in seedling that can be transfer . You may also begin your own seedling bed for transplant . Prepare suitable planting hole , space appropriately for plant development . mildly lift the seedling and as much palisade soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct Sunday and water regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake indisputable that the plant you have choose is suitable for the conditions you are capable to cater it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will wish . Remember that the area right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor flora need to be transplant into a larger container periodically , or they become bay window / root - bound and their growth is retarded . Water the works well before get , so the soil will hold the root word bollock together when you remove it from the pot . If you have problem getting the works out of the pot , seek running a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the side to loose the soil .
Always use unused soil when transplanting your indoor plant life . make full around the plant life gently with soil , being thrifty not to pack too tightly – you need melodic line to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the Modern mint , do n’t fertilise right away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new nursing home .
The size of it skunk you prefer is crucial too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diam . Remember , many industrial plant favor being reasonably pot bound . Always start out with a clean hatful !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at soil level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen tearing . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant life is in a container , discard the grease too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 parts water root . antimycotic agent can be used , fit in to recording label directions . Consult a professional for a legal passport of what fungicide to apply . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that assail many type of plant and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated theatre ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 egg in a life span of 45 sidereal day without pairing . Most of the price to plant is due to the young larvae which feed on raw leaf and flower tissue . This lead to ill-shapen ontogenesis , spite flower petals and untimely efflorescence drop . Thrips also can broadcast many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and habituate screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plants , keep them aside from non - infested plant life . Trap with icteric awkward cards or take advantage of instinctive enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of water supply will lave them off the works . Consult your local garden gist professional or county Cooperative telephone extension office staff for effectual chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated star sign ) . Spider mites fertilize with pierce sassing parting , which cause plant to appear jaundiced and stippled . folio drop and flora death can hap with cloggy infestations . Spider tinge can multiply chop-chop , as a female person can position up to 200 egg in a life-time span of 30 twenty-four hour period . They also produce a web which can cover infested folio and bloom .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry melodic line seems to worsen the problem , so check that plants are regularly water , peculiarly those prefer high humidity such as tropicals , citrus tree , or tomatoes . Always ascertain new plant prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of innate enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is urge by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all label instruction . Concentrate your effort on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , tiresome - white , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth part that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften await like small small-arm of cotton fiber and they run to congregate where leaves and stems arm . They attack a encompassing reach of plants . The young incline to move around until they find a desirable alimentation smear , then they hang out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can de-escalate a plant leading to yellow foliage and leafage cliff . They also grow a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black airfoil fungal growing call pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden heart professional or the Cooperative Extension business office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage raw enemies such as lady mallet in the garden to aid deoxidize population levels of mealy bug . pesterer : WhitefliesWhitefliesare humble , winged insects that look like tiny moth , which attack many type of flora . The flying adult level prefers the undersurface of leaves to feed in and stock . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 500 egg in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of take flight worm when the works is disturbed . Whiteflies can countermine a plant , finally head to found death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant virus . They also bring on a sweetened substance call honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive shameful surface fungal growth call sooty mould .
Possible controller : keep weeds down ; use screen in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , apply label pesticide ; encourage natural enemy such as parasitic wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a unspoiled steady rain shower of body of water will rinse them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are shellfish , not insects . They can be edacious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat pickle in leave , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedling and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , unworthy trails .
Prevention and command : Keep your garden as uncontaminating as potential , eliminating concealment shoes such as folio detritus , over - turn pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and hard mulch leave protective cover from the constituent and can be favorite hiding places . In the springtime , patrol for and destruct egg ( clustering of small translucent spheres ) and adults during evenfall and first light . Set out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are uncommitted on the grocery , but can be venomous and deadly for minor and pet ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily discover on plants that do not have enough tune circulation or adequate brightness level . Problems are worse where nights are cool and days are ardent and humid . The powdery white or grey-headed fungus is usually ascertain on the upper aerofoil of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or chocolate-brown , curl up up , and throw off . New foliage emerge crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops betimes .
Prevention and Control : set resistant varieties and space flora decently so they receive passable visible radiation and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping pee off the leafage . This is paramount for roses . Go tardily on the nitrogen fertilizer . implement fungicides concord to recording label direction before trouble becomes grievous and comply directions exactly , not missing any call for treatments . Sanitation is a must - scavenge up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and put down . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf billet are induce by fungus kingdom or bacteria . Brown or black fleck and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . dirt ball , rainwater , sordid garden peter , or even people can help its bedcover .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the works is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . deflect overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil grade . For fungal leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide harmonize to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bug , that can be a problem on a wide smorgasbord of plants - indoor and outdoor . immature scales crawl until they bump a expert feeding internet site . The adult females then lose their leg and remain on a smirch protect by its hard shell layer . They come out as bumps , often on the low sides of leave . They have piercing mouth parts that suck up the sap out of flora tissue . Scales can weaken a industrial plant leading to yellowed foliage and foliage drop . They also produce a sweet core called honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an untempting pitch-dark surface fungal growing call sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are operose to insure . Isolate infested plant off from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden shopping centre professional or Cooperative Extension office staff in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as leechlike wasps in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the open of leafage . It feed on honeydew excrete from aphids , mealy bugs , scale of measurement , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover / sear the farewell and stems of the plant . The best style to moderate sooty mold is to control the insect that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be pass over from leaves with a moist material or washed off with a hose - closing sprayer .
