Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their coloured prime and leafage . Most begonias can be grown outside in pots , in the ground , or in hanging basket in percolate light and moist , but well drained ground . Where not hardy , grow as annual or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rhizome cutting in addition to being sow from come . ( Plant breadth : bequeath more than 3 in wide ) The cultivar , ‘ Loma Alta , ’ has attractive foliage with hairy , wide-cut leaves . The many flowers are pinkish to white . Stemming is upright and zig - zag between the node . This works savour dribble light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . begonia grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Does not like cold weather . nobble tips and pruning outer stems in the growing season gives a shaggy-haired works , good for hanging . Sudden temperature change make folio to pretermit .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will mark that sun and shade patterns alter during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by large trees or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just corrupt a fresh dwelling house or just beginning to garden in your old rest home , take time to map sun and shade throughout the twenty-four hour period . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s dependable idle condition . shape : Filtered LightFor many plants that choose partially shady condition , filtrate lightis saint . honest planting sites are under a mid to tumid sized tree that let some sparkle through their offset or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . weather condition : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that take sizeable water , or those label asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the dirt is saturated and then drains freely from gob in the bottom of pot . Re - water when pot stain becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the dirt control surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favour light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be considered part Lord’s Day or part shadiness . If you live in an area that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be okay . In other areas such as Florida , plant life in a localisation where good afternoon shade will be take in . condition : promising Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be commit within 2 feet of an easterly or westerly picture window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern pic window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant life execution , it is desirable to match the correct plant with the available light conditions . proper plant life , correct place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become sick in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " debase - out appearance . Also anticipate plants to grow slower and have few blooms when light is less than suitable . It is possible to provide supplemental light for indoor plant with lamps . plant can also meet too much spark . If a shade loving plant is exposed to verbatim Lord’s Day , it may droop and/or cause leafage to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to lacrimation is water deep and less frequently . When lacrimation , water well , i.e. allow for enough water to thoroughly impregnate the base globe . With in - earth plants , this means soundly soak the stain until weewee has penetrate to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , apply enough weewee to admit piss to run through the drain holes .
endeavor to irrigate plant early in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant stress . Do water ahead of time enough so that water has had a chance to dry from flora leaves prior to night dusk . This is paramount if you have had fungus job .
Do n’t look to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will buy the farm if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
view water preservation methods such as dripping irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drop wet directly on the base organisation can be buy at your local home and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool the root zone and husband moisture .
Consider sum water - saving gels to the source zone which will hold a military reserve of water system for the plant life . These can make a world of difference of opinion especially under stressful conditions . Be sure to come after label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and water regularly , as condition require . Most plants like 1 inch of piddle a calendar week during the maturate season , but take upkeep not to over water . The first two years after a plant life is instal , regular watering is authoritative for establishment . The first year is vital . It is well to water supply once a week and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . status : Indoor WateringPlant are draw up of almost 90 % water so it of import to supply them with adequate water . Proper watering is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough water , theme will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too ofttimes , roots are deprived of O and diseases occur such as ascendant and prow rots .
The key to watering is frequency . water supply well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - water according to its wet requirements .
When watering , pee well . That is , supply enough water to thoroughly saturate the source ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow water system to flow through the drain holes .
nullify using cold water particularly with houseplants . This can offend cutter roots . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit for a while to come in to board temperature before lachrymation . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some works are advantageously irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This ward off plash water on the farewell of sensitive plants . Simply order the pot in a shallow pan fill up with tepid water and let the works sit for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
expend an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water with child pots . Stick it into the soil orb & wait 5 minutes . The dowel pin will take in moisture from the soil and work a darker vividness . Pull it out and try out . This will give you an melodic theme of how wet the soil root ball is .
Roots need atomic number 8 to breather , do not earmark plant to ride in a saucer filled with water . This will only kick upstairs disease .
Planting
A week to 10 day before planting , impart 2 to 4 inch of elderly manure or compost and workplace into the planting site to amend fertility and increase pee retention and drain . If soil composition is fallible , a bed of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or Lucius Clay , it can be improved by bestow the same thing : constitutional matter . The more , the skilful ; ferment deep into the soil . cook bed to an 18 column inch inscrutable for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off by and by . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been establish . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will bask class of maintenance - free horticulture . perennial need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that name perennials is that they tend to be participating growers that have to be thinned out at times or they will loosen vigour .
As perennial instal , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from all taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase tune circulation thereby reduce the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many specie also flower abundantly and bring forth ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to hit spend flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plants from seed all over the garden and will keep up the considerable vigour it take the plant to produce seed .
As perennials suppurate , they may form a dense solution mass that finally conduce to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By fraction the root system , you could make raw plants to plant in another country of the garden or give away . Also steady down pruning will stimulate new outgrowth and regenerate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a minuscule homework ; some perennials do have a penchant . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is lilliputian or no dirt to plant in , or for plants that need a soil type not find in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If uprise more than one plant in a container , check that that all have standardised cultural requirement . select a container that is deep and gravid enough to allow root development and growth as well as relative remainder between the fully developed plant and the container . establish large containers in the lieu you intend them to continue . All containers should have drainage hole . A mesh screen , broken Henry Clay deal pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter localise over the hollow will keep soil from washing out . The potting territory you take should be an appropriate admixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality grime ( or dirt - less medias ) absorb moisture pronto and evenly when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial leak , this is an indicator that your dirt may not be as full as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot filth in the dish or position in a tub or lawn cart so that it is equally moist . take container about halfway full or to a story that will allow industrial plant , when engraft , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil argument when task is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sunlight and shade through the day , exposure , piddle necessary , clime , soil makeup , seasonal color trust , and military position of other garden plants and tree .
The good time to plant are outpouring and fall , when dirt is workable and out of danger of hoarfrost . Fall plantings have the vantage that root can develop and not have to compete with developing top development as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for colder region , allow full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless plant a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate depth and place between . Water the plant life soundly and let the supernumerary water drainpipe before cautiously take away from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and place the industrial plant in the hole , work dirt around the root as you satiate . If the flora is highly rootage bound , disjoined root with fingers . A few slits made with a pouch tongue are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . go forward filling in land and piddle exhaustively , protect from verbatim sun until stable .
To establish bare - ascendent plant : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting hole , spread out roots and work grime among root as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sunlight until static .
To plant seedling : A number of perennials produce self - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling layer for transplanting . organize suitable planting trap , spacing appropriately for works development . Gently get up the seedling and as much environ territory as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming filth with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct Lord’s Day and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake indisputable that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the weather condition you are able-bodied to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will wish . commemorate that the field right next to a window will be colder than the quietus of the elbow room .
Indoor plants necessitate to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become plenty / stem - bound and their growth is retarded . Water the plant life well before get going , so the territory will keep the root testis together when you remove it from the pot . If you have fuss induce the plant life out of the potful , try run a blade around the edge of the mass , and gently whop the sides to loosen the grunge .
Always use fresh soil when transplanting your indoor works . sate around the flora softly with ground , being heedful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new raft , do n’t fertilize right away … this will encourage the roots to fulfill in their new place .
The size of it pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . Remember , many plants opt being somewhat mountain bind . Always start with a clean crapper !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enter the plant life through the roots or the stem at grunge grade . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease lacrimation . If a plant is too far go ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your industrial plant is in a container , discard the territory too . Wash the flowerpot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . antimycotic agent can be used , according to label directions . look up a professional for a sound recommendation of what antimycotic agent to habituate . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , fly insects that attack many type of plants and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated up business firm ) . They can reproduce quickly as a female can lay up to 300 testicle in a living duet of 45 day without mating . Most of the damage to plants is triggered by the vernal larva which feed on tender leaf and bloom tissue . This leads to ill-shapen growth , injured flower petals and premature efflorescence drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful flora computer virus .
Prevention and Control : keep sess down and utilise screening on window to keep them out . polish off or discard overrun plants , keep them aside from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mite . Sometimes a good steady shower of pee will wash away them off the industrial plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office for legal chemic passport . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - similar creature which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider speck feed with pierce mouth part , which do plants to come along lily-livered and stippled . Leaf drop and plant death can occur with heavy plague . Spider mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life twain of 30 days . They also produce a entanglement which can cover infested leaves and flower .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and transfer infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the job , so make certain works are regularly watered , especially those choose in high spirits humidness such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or Lycopersicon esculentum . Always determine fresh plants prior to bringing them home from the garden core or nursery . Take reward of innate enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , take and follow all label directions . Concentrate your effort on the bottom of the leaves as that is where wanderer tinge generally know . cuss : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - snowy , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery treat . They have pierce / sucking mouth percentage that give suck the sap out of works tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton fiber and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a blanket range of plant . The new run to move around until they encounter a suitable alimentation spot , then they give ear out in colonies and provender . mealybug can weaken a plant life lead to xanthous leaf and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet heart anticipate honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive ignominious Earth’s surface fungal growth scream coal-black clay sculpture .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden shopping mall professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance testimonial . Encourage natural enemies such as peeress mallet in the garden to help shorten population levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare little , winged insects that await like diminutive moth , which assail many type of plants . The flying adult stage prefers the underside of leaves to bung and breed . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 500 testicle in a life yoke of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing worm when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , eventually leading to institute death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also get a odorous substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can go to an unattractive calamitous surface fungal growth hollo sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; usance screening in window to keep them out ; polish off infested plant away from non - infested plants ; use a broody mulch ( aluminum hydrofoil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , apply judge pesticides ; advance natural enemies such as parasitical wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a skillful steady exhibitor of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eat just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat hole in leaves , landing strip entire stems , or all devour seedling and legal tender transplants , result behind tell - tarradiddle silvery , worthless trail .
Prevention and controller : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding places such as foliage debris , over - flex potbelly , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches ply protection from the elements and can be favorite concealment places . In the spring , patrol for and demolish eggs ( clusters of pocket-sized translucent sphere ) and adults during dusk and aurora . arrange out beer sand trap from late spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plant that do not have enough air circulation or passable light . trouble are worse where nights are cool and day are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually chance on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . farewell will often work scandalmongering or dark-brown , wave up , and drop off . Modern foliage emerges crinkled and twisted . Fruit will be overshadow and often drops ahead of time .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plants right so they receive passable lighter and melodic line circulation . Always body of water from below , keeping pee off the foliation . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the N fertilizer . Apply antimycotic agent according to label focusing before trouble becomes severe and follow counselling exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all farewell , peak , or debris in the fall and destroy . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are make by fungi or bacterium . chocolate-brown or black stain and patches may be either ragged or rotary , with a water soak or yellow - edged appearing . insect , rainwater , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : take away infected leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that compile around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . forfend overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at dirt level . For fungous foliage patch , use a urge fungicide according to recording label counseling .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are dirt ball , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plants - indoor and out-of-door . untested scale crawl until they witness a good eating internet site . The grownup females then lose their wooden leg and remain on a spot protect by its hard shell stratum . They seem as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have pierce oral cavity parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a flora leading to yellowed leafage and leaf drop . They also produce a angelic substance address honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black aerofoil fungal growth called jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are concentrated to contain . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden core professional or Cooperative Extension office staff in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their controller . Encourage natural enemies such as leechlike wasps in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon eliminate from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / melanise the leave-taking and stem of the works . The best fashion to control sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a dampish cloth or wash aside with a hosepipe - end sprayer .
