Begonias are raw perennials , grown for their colorful bloom and leaf . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drain soil . Where not hardy , rise as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rootstalk cuttings in addition to being sown from source . ‘ Chumbow ’ grows from a creeping rootstalk . The foliage is very attractive , featuring little , cleft leaves . The efflorescence are pink , flower in spring . This plant enjoys percolate light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be damp . begonia grow very well in peat - free-base compost also . like humidity . Hardy . Does not wish cold-blooded atmospheric condition . pilfer tips and pruning taboo stanch in the growing season render a shaggy-coated plant , good for hanging baskets . take out dead foliage to prevent disease .
Google Plant Images : sink in here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Dominicus and subtlety radiation diagram vary during the day . The western side of a star sign may even be suspect due to shadow couch by big tree diagram or a social organization from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a unexampled home or just begin to garden in your older home base , take time to map sun and shade throughout the mean solar day . You will get a more precise feel for your internet site ’s true light conditions . status : Filtered LightFor many plant that prefer partly shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to big sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is slight or no light in the growing geographical zone . Shade can be the result of a mature stand of trees or shadows cast by a house or building . Plants that require full shade are usually susceptible to tan . Full shade beneath trees may pose additional problem ; not only is there no light , but rival for water , nutrients and root space .
Partial shademeans that an area receive permeate light , often through magniloquent branches of an heart-to-heart develop tree . Root competition is usually less . fond shade can also be achieved by locating a plant beneath an arbor or lathe - comparable structure . Shadier face of a edifice are normally the northern or northeastern sides . These sides also run to be a little cooler . It is not uncommon for plants that can tolerate full sun or some sun in cooler climates to require some ghost in warmer climates due to emphasis placed on the industrial plant from thin out moisture and excessive heat . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that need ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of potful . Re - water when potting soil becomes juiceless to the touch an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , cutting , shearing and rejuvenate .
Pinching is removing the theme tips of a untested industrial plant to promote branching . Doing this avoid the need for more severe pruning later on .
Thinning involve absent whole branches back to the luggage compartment . This may be done to unfold up the interior of a industrial plant to allow more light in and to increase line circulation that can cut down on flora disease . The unspoilt way to start thinning is to begin by removing dead or morbid wood .
Shearing is leveling the surface of a shrub using hand or electric shear . This is done to maintain the desired form of a hedgerow or topiary .
Rejuvenating is removal of old branch or the overall decrease of the size of a bush to restore its original chassis and sizing . It is recommended that you do not remove more than one third of a plant at a time . Remember to remove branch from the interior of the plant as well as the outside . When rejuvenating plant with cane , such as nandina , cut back cane at various heights so that plant will have a more rude look . precondition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 foot of an eastern or western vulnerability windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern photograph window . weather : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant execution , it is desirable to pair the correct plant with the useable abstemious conditions . correct flora , right piazza ! plant which do not find sufficient light source may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also gestate plants to produce slower and have few blooms when light is less than worthy . It is possible to allow for supplemental light for indoor plants with lamp . plant can also get too much light . If a tincture enjoy works is exposed to direct Sunday , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to lachrymation is body of water deeply and less oft . When lacrimation , weewee well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - basis plants , this imply thoroughly soaking the soil until pee has pervade to a profundity of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being expert ) . With container grown plants , use enough body of water to allow water to flux through the drain holes .
seek to irrigate plants early in the day or afterward in the good afternoon to preserve water and cut down on plant accent . Do weewee early enough so that water has had a fortune to dry out from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t look to piddle until plant droop . Although some plants will convalesce from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water preservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . trickle systems which tardily drop moisture directly on the root scheme can be buy at your local domicile and garden centre . Mulches can importantly cool the radical zone and conserve moisture .
deliberate adding water system - saving gels to the root zone which will hold a stockpile of pee for the industrial plant . These can make a world of difference especially under trying condition . Be certain to comply label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that territory should be kept equally moist and watered regularly , as condition require . Most plants like 1 inch of piss a hebdomad during the growing time of year , but take caution not to over water . The first two old age after a plant is installed , regular watering is important for governance . The first year is vital . It is estimable to water once a hebdomad and pee profoundly , than to piss often for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it important to append them with tolerable H2O . right lacrimation is essential for sound works health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too frequently , ancestor are deprived of oxygen and disease occur such as radical and stem rots .
The samara to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant want to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When lachrymation , piddle well . That is , provide enough water supply to soundly saturate the root ball . With containerized industrial plant , utilize enough water to grant weewee to flow through the drain cakehole .
Avoid using cold body of water especially with houseplants . This can traumatise tender roots . Fill lachrymation can with tepid water or allow stale water to sit for a while to come to board temperature before lachrymation . This is a good way to allow any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best water by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sensible flora . Simply lay the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid body of water and permit the plant life sit for 15 minutes to countenance the root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and tolerate sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you limit when to re - water gravid muckle . Stick it into the stain clod & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a moody people of colour . Pull it out and test . This will give you an approximation of how wet the stain ancestor ball is .
tooth root need O to breath , do not let plants to sit in a saucer filled with H2O . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 sidereal day before planting , contribute 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to meliorate fertility and increase body of water retention and drainage . If territory composition is washy , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is Baroness Dudevant or Lucius Clay , it can be improved by adding the same matter : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the grease . fix beds to an 18 column inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a terrific amount of workplace now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once plants have been install . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not signify that you will enjoy years of upkeep - free horticulture . perennial need to be care for just like any other plant life . One matter that distinguishes perennial is that they lean to be active growers that have to be thinned out from time to time or they will loose vigour .
As perennials show , it is important to prune them back and cut them out now and again . This will foreclose them from all taking over an sphere to the exclusion of other works , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many coinage also blossom abundantly and produce rich seminal fluid . As blush fade it is advisable to deadhead your industrial plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they take form seed . This will foreclose your works from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable vitality it require the plant to farm seed .
As perennial ripen , they may spring a dense root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to once in a while thin out a standpoint of such perennials . By divide the root system , you could make raw plants to engraft in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will get new growth and restore the plant . Most perennial may be successfully part in either bound or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a predilection . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an ornamental feature article , a planting option when there is footling or no stain to plant in , or for plants that require a soil eccentric not see in the garden or when dirt drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , check that that all have exchangeable ethnical prerequisite . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow root development and growth as well as proportional balance between the amply developed plant and the container . Plant large containers in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage hole . A engagement screenland , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep stain from washing out . The potting soil you choose should be an appropriate mix for the plant you have pick out . Quality filth ( or soil - less medias ) take in moisture readily and equally when wet . If water runs off ground upon initial making water , this is an indicant that your soil may not be as good as you opine .
Prior to filling a container with dirt , wet potting soil in the bag or billet in a bathing tub or lawn cart so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a degree that will allow flora , when planted , to be just below the lip of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is consummate . H2O well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and tincture through the day , exposure , water requirements , mood , land physical composition , seasonal color desired , and spot of other garden plants and trees .
The respectable meter to engraft are fountain and evenfall , when soil is practicable and out of danger of hoar . Fall plantings have the vantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the saltation . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for colder orbit , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most works , unless planting a more established sized industrial plant .
To found container - grow plant : Prepare planting holes with appropriate profundity and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the excess weewee drain before cautiously transfer from the container . cautiously loosen the ancestor ball and place the flora in the hole , working dirt around the theme as you occupy . If the works is extremely root confine , disjoined roots with fingers . A few prick made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . keep filling in soil and water exhaustively , protect from direct sun until static .
To plant bare - root plants : works as soon as potential after purchase . set up worthy planting holes , spread root and work dirt among beginning as you meet in . Water well and protect from verbatim Sunday until stable .
To plant seedling : A number of perennials produce self - sow seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also set forth your own seedling bed for transplant . Prepare worthy planting holes , spacing suitably for plant development . softly lift the seedling and as much surround soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it forthwith , firm soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct sunlight and water regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have opt is suitable for the condition you are capable to cater it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . think back that the area powerful next to a window will be colder than the residual of the room .
Indoor plant ask to be transplanted into a expectant container sporadically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will bear the theme glob together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble get the plant out of the pot , try running a brand around the edge of the throne , and gently whacking the side to relax the soil .
Always use fresh grime when transplanting your indoor industrial plant . occupy around the plant life lightly with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want strain to be able to get to the root . After the flora is in the young pot , do n’t fertilise flop off … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new rest home .
The sizing pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diam . Remember , many industrial plant prefer being somewhat flowerpot restrict . Always initiate with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most soil and enters 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 job , decrease watering . If a industrial plant is too far gone ( all the leaf from the bottom up are wilted ) , off it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , fit in to recording label directions . confer with a pro for a effectual passport of what fungicide to apply . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that assail many types of plant and flourish in hot , ironical conditions ( like het house ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life duo of 45 days without sexual union . Most of the wrong to plants is stimulate by the young larva which fertilize on crank foliage and prime tissue . This leads to distorted growth , wound bloom petal and premature flower drop . Thrips also can impart many harmful flora viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . dispatch or discard overrun plant , keep them off from non - infested plant life . Trap with jaundiced sticky cards or take vantage of raw enemies such as predatory soupcon . Sometimes a good firm rain shower of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office for sound chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like creatures which flourish in hot , juiceless consideration ( like het houses ) . Spider mites feed with pierce mouth parts , which cause plants to appear yellowed and speckled . Leaf drop-off and plant death can come with heavy infestations . Spider mites can procreate quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a lifespan span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cut across infested leaf and flower .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and slay infested plant . Dry air seems to worsen the job , so verify industrial plant are regularly watered , especially those prefer high humidness such as tropicals , citrus tree , or tomatoes . Always correspond new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center field or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden inwardness professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and conform to all label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites generally live . pestis : MealybugsSmall , wingless , irksome - white , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery enshroud . They have piercing / sucking back talk parts that suck up the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like minuscule piece of cotton and they incline to congregate where leaves and stems outgrowth . They attack a wide range of plants . The new tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . mealy bug can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliation and leaf drop . They also produce a gratifying substance called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an untempting dark Earth’s surface fungal growth call in jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . confer with your local garden centre professional or the Cooperative Extension business office in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical testimonial . Encourage instinctive enemies such as peeress beetles in the garden to help come down population levels of mealy hemipterous insect . cuss : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that look like tiny moths , which attack many types of plants . The flying grownup stage favour the underside of leafage to eat and breed . Whiteflies can reproduce quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a sprightliness span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a swarm of fly dirt ball when the industrial plant is disturb . Whiteflies can undermine a plant , finally run to plant last if they are not chink . They can transmit many harmful works viruses . They also bring on a fresh inwardness called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive disastrous surface fungal growth called sooty cast .
potential control : keep weeds down ; use screen in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants forth from non - infested plants ; use a pensive mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; bunker with yellow sticky posting , apply labeled pesticide ; encourage rude enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will launder them off the plant life . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be esurient affluent , corrode just about anything that is not woody or highly odorous . They may eat holes in foliage , cartoon strip entire radical , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplantation , bequeath behind tell - fib silvery , slimy trail .
Prevention and mastery : Keep your garden as sportsmanlike as possible , reject hiding places such as leafage debris , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in umbrageous berth and lowering mulch supply auspices from the component and can be best-loved concealing place . In the spring , police for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small semitransparent welkin ) and adult during evenfall and sunup . Set out beer traps from previous bound through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the market , but can be venomous and deadly for child and pets ; take concern when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis commonly find on plants that do not have enough air circulation or enough Light Within . Problems are regretful where night are cool and days are lovesome and humid . The powdery white or grey-headed fungus is usually found on the upper surface of parting or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or dark-brown , curl up , and unload off . New leafage emerges ruckle and perverted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops too soon .
Prevention and Control : Plant insubordinate varieties and space works in good order so they receive decent light source and zephyr circulation . Always water from below , keeping water system off the leafage . This is paramount for rose wine . Go soft on the N plant food . put on antifungal according to label way before problem becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are induce by fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patch may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rainfall , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : transfer infected leaves when the industrial plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; pee should be directed at soil degree . For fungous leaf position , use a advocate fungicide according to recording label directions .
gadfly : Scale InsectsScales are insects , concern to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a wide variety of works - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they find a good eating site . The adult females then recede their leg and remain on a smudge protected by its tough shell bed . They seem as bumps , often on the low sides of folio . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a plant guide to yellow foliation and leafage drop . They also develop a mellifluous marrow called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive fateful surface fungal outgrowth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are severe to control . Isolate infested plant away from those that are not invade . Consult your local garden snapper professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal good word regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mildew is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It course on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy germ , scale , or pismire . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / char the leaves and stems of the plant . The best way to control sooty mold is to manipulate the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a moist cloth or wash away with a hose - end sprayer .
