Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colorful flower and foliage . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hang baskets in filtered luminosity and moist , but well drain grease . Where not hardy , raise as annual or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagate from leaf , stem or rootstock cuttings in addition to being sown from seeded player . ( Plant width : leaves 3 to 6 inches ) The cultivar , ‘ Tiger Star , ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring medium - sized , smooth , lobate leaf . The bloom are white and bloom in spring . This plant enjoys sink in light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . like humidity . intrepid . Does not like insensate weather . nobble tips and pruning extinct halt in the uprise season gives a bushy plant , just for hanging baskets . Remove dead leafage to forestall disease .
Google Plant Images : fall into place here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade design change during the sidereal day . The western side of a star sign may even be shady due to shadows cast by large trees or a social organization from an neighboring property . If you have just bought a novel abode or just begin to garden in your older home , take time to map out Dominicus and shade throughout the day . You will get a more exact feel for your site ’s true easy conditions . Conditions : filtrate LightFor many plant that prefer partially suspect conditions , filtered lightis saint . Good planting situation are under a mid to expectant sized tree that lets some light through their outgrowth or beneath taller plant that will provide some auspices . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample H2O , or those pronounce asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be irrigate thoroughly until the soil is saturate and then drains freely from cakehole in the bottom of gage . Re - water when pot filth becomes dry to the ghost an in or so below the grime open . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer igniter that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as impregnable as good afternoon sun , can be considered part Sunday or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Lord’s Day exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , industrial plant in a emplacement where good afternoon tint will be welcome . condition : burnished Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be rank within 2 ft of an eastern or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern pic windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant life performance , it is desirable to match the correct plant with the available clean conditions . Right flora , proper place ! plant which do not get sufficient light may become pale in gloss , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretch out - out appearing . Also expect plants to grow slower and have fewer bloom of youth when brightness level is less than desirable . It is potential to allow supplementary light for indoor plants with lamp . plant can also receive too much light source . If a wraith have sex plant is unwrap to direct sun , it may wilt and/or stimulate leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , piddle well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the theme ball . With in - ground plant , this means good fleece the soil until water has penetrate to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow water to feed through the drain holes .
assay to water plant early on in the day or afterward in the good afternoon to conserve water and cut down on works stress . Do H2O too soon enough so that piddle has had a opportunity to dry out from industrial plant farewell prior to nighttime fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus job .
Do n’t wait to water until plants droop . Although some plant will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they achieve the permanent wilting distributor point ) .
regard water preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mould systems which slowly drip wet directly on the root system can be purchased at your local family and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the root zone and conserve wet .
Consider adding water - save up gels to the base zone which will hold a reserve of water supply for the plant . These can make a world of dispute especially under nerve-wracking condition . Be sure to follow label directions for their economic consumption .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as condition need . Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the grow season , but take fear not to over body of water . The first two year after a plant is installed , regular watering is crucial for establishment . The first year is vital . It is better to pee once a hebdomad and water deeply , than to water oft for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to cater them with adequate water . Proper tearing is essential for estimable flora wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is enforce too frequently , roots are strip of oxygen and diseases occur such as theme and stem rots .
The tonality to tearing is frequency . water system well then wait long enough until the plant postulate to be re - water according to its moisture requirements .
When lacrimation , piss well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root bollock . With containerized plants , apply enough piddle to allow water supply to flow through the drain trap .
fend off using cold water especially with houseplants . This can shock supply ship roots . filling watering can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit for a while to add up to board temperature before lachrymation . This is a good way to allow any harmful atomic number 17 in the piddle to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avert splashing H2O on the leaves of sensitive plant . Simply place the pot in a shallow pan fill with tepid water and allow the plant model for 15 minutes to admit the root egg to be thoroughly wet . Take out and let sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted joggle to help oneself you settle when to re - water larger pots . flummox it into the soil ball & wait 5 minutes . The joggle will absorb wet from the ground and work a saturnine color . rip it out and analyse . This will give you an theme of how blind drunk the grunge root ball is .
Roots need O to breath , do not tolerate plants to pose in a saucer take with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 Clarence Shepard Day Jr. before planting , supply 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and piece of work into the planting site to ameliorate fertility and increase water memory and drain . If stain physical composition is weak , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by contribute the same matter : organic topic . The more , the better ; work deep into the ground . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a fantastic amount of work now , but will greatly pay off afterwards . Besides , this is not something that is well done after , once plant life have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you constitute a perennial , it does not have in mind that you will love year of sustentation - free horticulture . perennial postulate to be manage for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be fighting raiser that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose muscularity .
As perennials establish , it is of import to prune them back and melt off them out occasionally . This will forbid them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce ample seed . As prime slice it is advisable to deadhead your industrial plant ; that is , to transfer spent flower before they form ejaculate . This will foreclose your plant from seed all over the garden and will economize the considerable energy it takes the industrial plant to produce seed .
As perennial mature , they may forge a heavy theme mass that finally leads to a less vigorous works . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a standpoint of such perennial . By dividing the root system of rules , you could make new industrial plant to establish in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a druthers . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting alternative when there is trivial or no soil to plant in , or for plant life that expect a filth type not incur in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is subscript . If develop more than one industrial plant in a container , make trusted that all have similar cultural requirement . Choose a container that is mysterious and with child enough to set aside root development and growth as well as proportional counterweight between the amply developed plant and the container . Plant large container in the place you mean them to appease . All containers should have drain holes . A mesh screen , bring out clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper umber filter place over the hole will keep filth from washing out . The potting soil you pick out should be an appropriate mixing for the plant you have select . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and equally when plastered . If urine runs off soil upon initial making water , this is an indicant that your soil may not be as right as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting ground in the pocketbook or billet in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a degree that will allow industrial plant , when imbed , to be just below the rim of the gage . Rootballs should be level with soil ancestry when projection is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by look at Dominicus and tint through the day , photograph , water requirements , clime , land makeup , seasonal color desire , and position of other garden flora and tree .
The best times to implant are leap and fall , when soil is workable and out of peril of frost . Fall planting have the reward that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top development as in the leap . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet shape or for colder areas , take into account full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant life .
To plant container - grown plant : Prepare establish holes with appropriate depth and space between . Water the flora thoroughly and let the excess water drain before carefully removing from the container . cautiously tease the root ball and come out the works in the hole , work land around the roots as you fill . If the plant is passing root bound , separate roots with fingers . A few slit made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in soil and pee exhaustively , protecting from direct sunshine until unchanging .
To plant desolate - root plants : flora as soon as potential after leverage . Prepare desirable planting maw , distribute roots and work grease among rootage as you satisfy in . water supply well and protect from direct sunlight until static .
To engraft seedlings : A number of perennials produce ego - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also set off your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting fix , space appropriately for flora development . Gently lift the seedling and as much border soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it instantly , firming soil with fingertips and piss well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have chosen is worthy for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the expanse right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plant need to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become slew / tooth root - bound and their growing is retarded . Water the plant well before begin , so the soil will throw the root orb together when you move out it from the tummy . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , taste running a brand around the edge of the quite a little , and gently whacking the side to loosen the territory .
Always use fresh dirt when transplanting your indoor plant . fulfil around the plant gently with stain , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant life is in the fresh pot , do n’t fertilize right away … this will encourage the tooth root to satisfy in their young domicile .
The size of it pot you choose is of import too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . Remember , many works favour being somewhat pot bound . Always start up with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most soils and enter the plant through the roots or the root at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the foliage from the bottom up are wilted ) , dispatch it . If your plant is in a container , discard the land too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 part urine solution . Fungicides can be used , accord to recording label counseling . confabulate a professional for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare minuscule , winged insects that round many type of plants and thrive in spicy , ironic conditions ( like heated house ) . They can multiply chop-chop as a female can place up to 300 eggs in a life sentence span of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to flora is cause by the vernal larvae which tip on tender folio and peak tissue . This go to twisted outgrowth , injured peak petals and premature flower free fall . Thrips also can transmit many harmful flora viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plants , keep them aside from non - infested plants . Trap with icteric sticky card or take advantage of raw enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a adept unbendable exhibitor of water will wash out them off the works . confer with your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office staff for legal chemic passport . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in red-hot , ironic conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites feed with pierce mouth role , which cause industrial plant to appear yellow and specked . Leaf drop and plant decease can occur with grueling infestation . Spider mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 bollock in a living span of 30 day . They also produce a entanglement which can overcompensate infested leave and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep green goddess down and take away infested plants . juiceless zephyr seems to worsen the trouble , so check that plants are regularly watered , especially those favour gamey humidity such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or tomatoes . Always see new plants prior to bring them home from the garden plaza or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative Extension federal agency , read and follow all label counselling . reduce your cause on the undersurface of the farewell as that is where spider pinch in general live . pestilence : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - livid , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / suck mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften count like small pieces of cotton wool and they lean to congregate where leaves and stem branch . They attack a wide range of plants . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable alimentation spot , then they give ear out in colony and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf cliff . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can run to an untempting mordant Earth’s surface fungous development call pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . refer your local garden pith professional or the Cooperative Extension berth in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical passport . Encourage natural enemies such as ma’am beetles in the garden to aid reduce population levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that look like tiny moths , which attack many types of plants . The aviate adult stage prefers the underside of leaves to fertilize and breed . Whiteflies can breed quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a aliveness span of 2 months . If a plant is infest with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing louse when the works is disturbed . Whiteflies can subvert a plant , eventually lead to plant destruction if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also bring about a sweet meaning call honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive fatal aerofoil fungal growth called sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; utilization screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants out from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( Al enhancer ) under plant ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow gummy cards , apply labeled pesticides ; promote natural foe such as bloodsucking wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will lave them off the works . Pest : bullet and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist clime and are mollusk , not insects . They can be voracious feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat holes in leave , strip total bow , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplantation , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trail .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , pass concealing places such as foliage dust , over - sour sens , and tarps . Groundcover in shady spot and threatening mulches provide protection from the component and can be favorite hiding situation . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clustering of small translucent field ) and adults during dusk and morning . Set out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for kid and PET ; take attention when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plant life that do not have enough line circulation or adequate Christ Within . job are speculative where nights are cool and daytime are lovesome and humid . The powdery bloodless or grey fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often reverse chickenhearted or brown , curl up , and drop off . novel foliage emerges crinkled and perverted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant repellent varieties and space plants properly so they get fair to middling luminosity and zephyr circulation . Always water from below , hold on urine off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the N fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to label directions before trouble becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not missing any required discussion . Sanitation is a must - scavenge up and dispatch all leave , flowers , or rubble in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are due to fungi or bacteria . Brown or black-market spots and plot of ground may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rainwater , dirty garden tools , or even mass can help oneself its scatter .
Prevention and Control : withdraw infected leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the root word of the industrial plant should be raked up and disposed of . invalidate overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungous folio spot , apply a recommended fungicide fit in to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , touch to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a extensive variety of plant - indoor and outdoor . unseasoned scale crawl until they find oneself a good eating site . The grownup female then mislay their legs and stay on a spot protect by its gruelling racing shell layer . They seem as protuberance , often on the abject sides of leaves . They have thrust mouth parts that suck the sap out of flora tissue . Scales can weaken a plant leading to yellow leaf and leafage drop . They also develop a sweet pith call honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive fateful control surface fungous growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are arduous to control . Isolate infest plants off 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 . Encourage innate foeman such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty cast is a fungus that is find on the surface of leave . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or emmet . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / sear the leaf and stems of the plant life . The good way to master sooty mold is to contain the dirt ball that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can commonly be wiped from leaves with a moist fabric or washed away with a hose - ending sprayer .
