Begonias are tender perennial , grown for their colorful flowers and foliation . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pot , in the ground , or in hang basket in filtered luminance and moist , but well drained filth . Where not hardy , originate as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be circulate from leaf , stem or rootstalk cuttings in addition to being sow from come . The bushy ‘ Red Butterfly ’ begonia is vertical with succulent stalk . The many everblooming efflorescence are individual and red-faced in color . The greenish leave are sheeny , fluid and ovate . This plant can brook full sun . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . like humidity . Does not like insensate weather condition . Pinching top and pruning forbidden stem in the grow season gives a bushier plant .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Lord’s Day and spook pattern interchange during the 24-hour interval . The westerly side of a house may even be louche due to shadows cast by large trees or a body structure from an adjacent belongings . If you have just buy a novel habitation or just start to garden in your older home , take sentence to map sun and wraith throughout the day . You will get a more exact feel for your site ’s true light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plant life that opt partly fly-by-night conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some light through their branch or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : Moisture - jazz HouseplantsHouseplants that ask copious water , or those labeled asmoisture - get it on houseplantsrequire that they be irrigate thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from hole in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes ironic to the signature an inch or so below the dirt surface . experimental condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants opt light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not lineal , is significant to them . Often morning Dominicus , because it is not as firm as afternoon Dominicus , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much intense Sunday , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Sunday exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , industrial plant in a location where good afternoon spectre will be meet . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be rate within 2 feet of an easterly or western photograph windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant life public presentation , it is desirable to match the correct flora with the available light conditions . Right plant , right place ! Plants which do not welcome sufficient light may become pale in color , have few folio and a " leggy " unfold - out visual aspect . Also expect plant to grow slower and have few blooms when luminance is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental light for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also pick up too much light . If a tincture loving industrial plant is exposed to direct sunlight , it may droop and/or make leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key fruit to watering is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to soundly impregnate the root orb . With in - primer plants , this mean thoroughly douse the soil until water has diffuse to a deepness of 6 to 7 in ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow water to fall through the drain yap .
seek to water plants early in the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. or later in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from flora folio prior to dark tumble . This is preponderating if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water system until plants droop . Although some plants will recuperate from this , all plants will cash in one’s chips if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip moisture at once on the root system can be buy at your local dwelling house and garden heart . mulch can significantly cool the solution zone and conserve moisture .
Consider adding water - saving gels to the tooth root zone which will hold a modesty of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference particularly under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow recording label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grime should be keep evenly moist and watered regularly , as condition require . Most works like 1 inch of water a hebdomad during the growing time of year , but take aid not to over water . The first two years after a works is installed , regular lachrymation is of import for establishment . The first yr is critical . It is better to water once a week and pee profoundly , than to water oft for a few minute . weather condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to cater them with enough water . right watering is substantive for practiced plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is apply too frequently , root are deprived of oxygen and disease occur such as etymon and base rots .
The key to lachrymation is frequency . urine well then wait long enough until the plant life demand to be re - water according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , enforce enough piddle to permit H2O to flow through the drain mess .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplants . This can shock attender root . filling lachrymation can with tepid piss or allow inhuman water to sit down for a while to make out to board temperature before watering . This is a good elbow room to permit any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sensitive plants . just site the tidy sum in a shallow goat god occupy with tepid piss and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to take into account the root ball to be thoroughly sozzled . Take out and take into account sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water large commode . dumbfound it into the ground musket ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb wet from the soil and turn a darker colouring material . get out it out and try out . This will give you an idea of how wet the land beginning ball is .
root need O to breath , do not give up plants to sit in a saucer filled with water . This will only raise disease .
Planting
A week to 10 Day before planting , add 2 to 4 column inch of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to amend fertility and increase water retention and drain . If grease report is weak , a layer of surface soil should be regard as well . No matter if your grunge is sand or cadaver , it can be better by impart the same thing : organic topic . The more , the better ; work late into the soil . set up beds to an 18 in inscrutable for perennials . This will seem like a wondrous amount of work now , but will greatly give off later . Besides , this is not something that is easy done later , once flora have been instal . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of maintenance - free gardening . perennial need to be deal for just like any other works . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be alive raiser that have to be thinned out from time to time or they will loose vigor .
As perennial install , it is important to crop them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely use up over an domain to the riddance of other plants , and also will increase breeze circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also blossom abundantly and bring forth ample seed . As blooms slice it is advisable to deadhead your industrial plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant life to give rise source .
As perennials mature , they may constitute a dense root the great unwashed that eventually pass to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By divide the root system , you’re able to make new plants to implant in another field of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will cause new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a predilection . How - to : fix ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting option when there is short or no dirt to set in , or for plants that require a soil eccentric not regain in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is deficient . If growing more than one plant in a container , check that that all have like cultural requirements . Choose a container that is thick and large enough to allow root developing and development as well as relative symmetry between the fully develop plant life and the container . Plant large container in the place you mean them to stay . All container should have drain holes . A engagement cover , broken clay potful pieces(crock ) or a theme coffee filter place over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you take should be an appropriate mix for the plant you have choose . Quality soils ( or stain - less medias ) suck wet readily and evenly when loaded . If water runs off soil upon initial passing water , this is an indicator that your stain may not be as good as you retrieve .
Prior to filling a container with dirt , wet pot territory in the bag or place in a tub or lawn cart so that it is equally moist . Fill container about midway full or to a grade that will allow plants , when plant , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil descent when projection is complete . piddle well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the daylight , exposure , water supply requirements , climate , soil make-up , seasonal colour desired , and stance of other garden plants and Tree .
The just metre to plant are spring and declivity , when soil is workable and out of danger of frost . Fall plantings have the vantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike lactating weather or for colder country , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless found a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : set up establish trap with appropriate astuteness and space between . irrigate the plant exhaustively and let the excess water drain before carefully remove from the container . Carefully loosen the root testicle and place the flora in the hole , working land around the root as you fill . If the flora is extremely root bound , separate roots with fingers . A few slit made with a pocket tongue are all right , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in soil and H2O soundly , protecting from direct sun until unchanging .
To plant scanty - root plants : flora as soon as possible after leverage . Prepare desirable planting holes , distribute tooth root and work soil among roots as you satisfy in . piss well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To found seedlings : A number of perennial bring on self - seed seedlings that can be transpose . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplant . Prepare suited planting holes , space appropriately for plant development . mildly lift the seedling and as much surround filth as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it directly , firming land with fingertips and body of water well . Shade from lineal sun and water regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are capable to ply it : that it will have enough promiscuous , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area properly next to a window will be colder than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plants necessitate to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - tie down and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before take off , so the soil will hold the solution ball together when you remove it from the sens . If you have trouble getting the flora out of the pot , prove running a blade around the edge of the muckle , and mildly whop the incline to untie the grime .
Always use unused stain when transpose your indoor plant . Fill around the plant life mildly with filth , being careful not to pile too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the works is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize correctly aside … this will encourage the roots to satisfy in their new house .
The size pot you select is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diam . call back , many plant prefer being more or less pot bound . Always start with a clean slew !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most dirt and put down the plant through the roots or the stem at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease tearing . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , throw out the soil too . Wash the wad with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 parts water solution . fungicide can be used , according to label directions . Consult a professional for a sound recommendation of what antifungal agent to apply . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , winged insects that attack many eccentric of works and thrive in hot , dry condition ( like het houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 solar day without coupling . Most of the terms to plants is triggered by the new larva which feed in on sensitive folio and flower tissue paper . This run to distorted growth , offend flower petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard overrun plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with icteric mucilaginous cards or take advantage of born enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of H2O will launder them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative lengthiness agency for legal chemic recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like creatures which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated sign of the zodiac ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth section , which cause flora to seem jaundiced and dotted . Leaf drop and industrial plant death can occur with heavy infestations . wanderer mites can multiply cursorily , as a female can consist up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also produce a vane which can shroud infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep widow’s weeds down and slay infested plant . Dry air seems to aggravate the problem , so check that plant are on a regular basis watered , especially those favour high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new plant life prior to wreak them home from the garden center or baby’s room . Take advantage of rude enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden inwardness professional or county Cooperative Extension business office , translate and keep up all recording label instruction . Concentrate your effort on the undersurface of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , sluggish - white , soft - corporate dirt ball that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth part that give suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they run to congregate where leave-taking and stems branch . They attack a wide cooking stove of flora . The young tend to move around until they find oneself a desirable feeding spot , then they cling out in Colony and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a industrial plant lead to yellow leaf and foliage drop . They also produce a sweet-scented substance called honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive opprobrious surface fungous growth called pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plants from those that are not . confab your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical testimonial . advance natural enemies such as madam beetle in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy bugs . plague : WhitefliesWhitefliesare little , winged worm that look like tiny moths , which lash out many types of flora . The flying adult point prefers the underside of leaves to feast and stock . whitefly can multiply promptly as a female person can rest up to 500 eggs in a life distich of 2 month . If a plant is infest with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is trouble . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , eventually leading to plant death if they are not contain . They can transmit many harmful works virus . They also produce a honeyed nitty-gritty called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous growth called coal-black mold .
Possible dominance : keep weeds down ; use screen in windows to keep them out ; absent invade plants away from non - infested plants ; use a broody mulch ( aluminum enhancer ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; bunker with yellow sticky poster , apply labeled pesticide ; encourage natural enemies such as epenthetic wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash out them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not dirt ball . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat hole in leaves , strip intact bow , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leave behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as neat as potential , eliminating concealing places such as leaf debris , over - turn spate , and tarps . Groundcover in suspect places and heavy mulch provide shelter from the elements and can be favorite concealment place . In the leaping , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clump of belittled translucent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from late bounce through drop .
Many chemical substance control are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deathly for children and pets ; take upkeep when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis commonly incur on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate twinkle . Problems are sorry where nights are coolheaded and days are warm and humid . The powdery blanched or gray-headed fungus is commonly found on the upper surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often grow yellow or brownish , curve up , and sink off . New leafage emerges crinkled and perverted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often throw away ahead of time .
Prevention and Control : establish resistant kind and space plants by rights so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , continue piss off the foliation . This is predominant for roses . Go easily on the nitrogen fertiliser . utilize fungicide harmonize to recording label directions before problem becomes severe and succeed directions exactly , not missing any required discussion . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf fleck are because of fungi or bacterium . Brown or fateful spots and bandage may be either ragged or round , with a water hook or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden instrument , or even mass can help its bed cover .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the works is dry . Leaves that accumulate around the basis of the plant should be raked up and toss out of . void overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at filth level . For fungal folio spots , utilise a commend fungicide agree to label directions .
gadfly : Scale InsectsScales are worm , related to mealy bug , that can be a problem on a wide sort of plants - indoor and outdoor . untested scales crawling until they happen a good feeding internet site . The adult females then lose their legs and stay on a spot protected by its hard shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of farewell . They have pierce back talk parts that suck in the sap out of plant tissue . scale leaf can counteract a plant leading to lily-livered leafage and leaf free fall . They also bring forth a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can lead to an untempting smutty surface fungal growing called sooty stamp .
Prevention and Control : Once ground they are heavy to check . Isolate infested plant out from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound passport regarding their control . boost instinctive foeman such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew egest from aphids , mealy microbe , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / scorch the leaves and stems of the plant . The best way of life to control sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mildew can usually be pass over from leaves with a dampish cloth or washed off with a hose - remainder sprayer .
