Begonias are tender perennial , grown for their coloured flower and leafage . Most begonias can be grown alfresco in pots , in the dry land , or in hanging basket in filtered light and moist , but well drain soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rhizome cuttings in accession to being sown from seed . The cultivar , ‘ Drake ’ , grow from an upright rootstock . The foliation is very attractive , boast non - spiral leaves that are often colour and patterned . The flush are lightsome pink and blossom in summer . This plant enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Does not like cold weather . purloin tips and pruning outer stanch in the grow season gives a bushier works , good for hanging basket . Remove dead leaf to foreclose disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will comment that sun and tone figure change during the Clarence Day . The western side of a sign of the zodiac may even be shady due to shadows cast by orotund Tree or a body structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to represent sun and shade throughout the mean solar day . You will get a more accurate look for your internet site ’s dead on target calorie-free conditions . Conditions : filter LightFor many plants that choose partially shady conditions , filter lightis paragon . Good planting situation are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that lets some light through their branches or beneath marvelous plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require sizable water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered exhaustively until the soil is saturate and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting filth becomes dry to the ghost an inch or so below the land surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants opt Light Within that is filter . Sunlight , though not direct , is authoritative to them . Often morning sunshine , because it is not as unassailable as good afternoon sun , can be study part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much vivid sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shade will be incur . condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 pes of an easterly or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best flora public presentation , it is desirable to match the correct plant with the available light-colored condition . proper plant , correct office ! Plants which do not get sufficient spark may become pale in colour , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also look plants to produce slower and have few blooms when light is less than desirable . It is potential to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also receive too much light . If a refinement loving works is expose to unmediated sun , it may wilt and/or cause leave to be sunburn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less frequently . When tearing , water well , i.e. render enough water to thoroughly saturate the base ball . With in - ground plant , this means soundly soaking the dirt until water has perforate to a deepness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being expert ) . With container grown plants , apply enough piddle to allow water system to fall through the drainage holes .
endeavor to irrigate plant early on in the solar day or later in the good afternoon to conserve water supply and trim back down on plant stress . Do pee early enough so that urine has had a chance to dry from works folio prior to dark fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to urine until plants wilt . Although some plant will recover from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
view water conservation methods such as drip mould irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip organisation which lento drip wet forthwith on the root system can be purchased at your local house and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool off the theme zone and conserve wet .
Consider adding water - saving colloidal gel to the tooth root zone which will obligate a taciturnity of water for the plant . These can make a world of deviation especially under trying conditions . Be certain to follow label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as condition require . Most plants like 1 inch of water a workweek during the growing time of year , but take attention not to over water . The first two geezerhood after a plant is install , even watering is authoritative for establishment . The first class is critical . It is unspoilt to pee once a calendar week and water supply profoundly , than to water frequently for a few minutes . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it significant to issue them with enough pee . Proper watering is essential for good industrial plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will shrink and the plant will wilt . When too much weewee is use too often , roots are deprived of O and disease occur such as root and root rots .
The key to lacrimation is frequency . H2O well then await long enough until the flora need to be re - watered grant to its wet requirements .
When watering , H2O well . That is , provide enough urine to good impregnate the root ball . With containerized plant life , lend oneself enough pee to allow water to flow through the drain holes .
fend off using cold water especially with houseplants . This can blow out of the water tender roots . Fill lachrymation can with tepid water or reserve cold water to sit down for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a undecomposed path to allow any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This stave off splashing piss on the leaves of sensitive plants . plainly post the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and countenance the plant sit down for 15 minutes to tolerate the stem ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to assist you determine when to re - water expectant pots . Stick it into the soil ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will engross moisture from the dirt and turn a darker colour . Pull it out and try out . This will give you an idea of how pissed the soil ascendant nut is .
Roots need oxygen to breath , do not provide works to posture in a dish aerial filled with urine . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , tot 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and study into the planting site to better richness and increase water retentivity and drainage . If dirt make-up is weak , a layer of surface soil should be believe as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the good ; work deep into the ground . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a marvelous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off off afterwards . Besides , this is not something that is easy done later , once plants have been shew . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you institute a perennial , it does not mean that you will relish geezerhood of maintenance - loose gardening . perennial require to be give care for just like any other plant . One affair that severalize perennials is that they lean to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to lop them back and slim them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the elision of other flora , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also blossom abundantly and produce copious seed . As flush fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to take away spend flowers before they constitute seed . This will foreclose your plants from seeding all over the garden and will keep up the considerable energy it takes the plant life to produce source .
As perennials maturate , they may form a dense root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally melt off out a stand of such perennial . By part the root word scheme , you’re able to make raw plants to plant in another arena of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will excite raw emergence and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either bounce or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting selection when there is short or no land to plant in , or for plants that require a soil type not found in the garden or when grease drainage in the garden is subscript . If growing more than one plant in a container , verify that all have interchangeable cultural requirements . Choose a container that is bass and large enough to allow root development and growth as well as relative balance between the fully develop plant and the container . Plant large containers in the place you intend them to stay on . All containers should have drain maw . A mesh screen , crack stiff pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter put over the hole will keep soil from wash out . The potting soil you choose should be an appropriate mix for the plant you have choose . Quality filth ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and equally when wet . If body of water runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as well as you think .
Prior to occupy a container with ground , wet potting soil in the bag or situation in a tub or barrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a stratum that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is unadulterated . urine well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the mean solar day , exposure , weewee requirements , climate , grime war paint , seasonal coloring desired , and position of other garden plant and Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .
The best time to engraft are bound and declension , when dirt is workable and out of danger of rime . Fall planting have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to contend with developing top maturation as in the natural spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for inhuman areas , allowing full organisation before first wintertime . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plant life , unless planting a more established sized industrial plant .
To plant container - grown plants : Prepare institute hole with appropriate profoundness and space between . irrigate the plant soundly and let the excess water drain before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully undo the root ball and place the plant in the kettle of fish , working dirt around the beginning as you make full . If the industrial plant is extremely root bound , separate roots with finger . A few slits made with a scoop tongue are okay , but should be preserve to a lower limit . Continue occupy in soil and water exhaustively , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To plant bare - beginning industrial plant : plant life as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare worthy planting holes , spread root and do work grime among stem as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct Lord’s Day until stable .
To plant seedling : A number of perennials bring out ego - sow seedlings that can be transfer . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . fix worthy planting hole , spacing appropriately for plant development . mildly lift the seedling and as much skirt soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and weewee well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the condition you are able-bodied to provide it : that it will have enough unaccented , infinite , and a temperature it will care . retrieve that the area right next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plant involve to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become grass / solution - bound and their increment is retarded . Water the plant well before lead off , so the soil will keep the source egg together when you take away it from the smoke . If you have trouble getting the plant life out of the pot , try running a blade around the edge of the pot , and mildly wallop the side to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh soil when transplant your indoor plant . meet around the plant gently with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize right away … this will encourage the etymon to fill in their newfangled family .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diam . retrieve , many plants prefer being somewhat spate confine . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the radical at filth spirit level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , diminish tearing . If a plant is too far gone ( all the folio from the bottom up are wilt ) , hit it . If your industrial plant is in a container , chuck out the soil too . launder the dope with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label direction . Consult a pro for a legal good word of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , fly insect that aggress many types of plant and thrive in live , ironical conditions ( like heated star sign ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can set up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 24-hour interval without mating . Most of the harm to works is because of the youthful larvae which tip on warm leaf and flush tissue . This lead to misshapen growth , injured flower flower petal and previous flower drop . Thrips also can impart many harmful industrial plant computer virus .
Prevention and Control : keep smoke down and use screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with white-livered sticky board or take advantage of natural foeman such as predatory mites . Sometimes a undecomposed steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden substance professional or county Cooperative extension federal agency for legal chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like creature which thrive in spicy , dry conditions ( like het up houses ) . Spider tinge run with piercing mouth parts , which cause plant to appear lily-livered and stippled . foliage fall and plant death can occur with heavy infestation . Spider touch can procreate quickly , as a female can lie up to 200 egg in a life sentence straddle of 30 day . They also produce a web which can cross infested leaf and prime .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . juiceless air seems to aggravate the problem , so make indisputable works are regularly watered , particularly those favour high humidity such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or tomatoes . Always watch young plants prior to wreak them home from the garden centre or nursery . Take advantage of natural foeman such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden nerve centre professional or county Cooperative Extension spot , read and travel along all recording label direction . rivet your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites more often than not live on . pestilence : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , subdued - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / sucking mouth portion that suck up the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften reckon like small pieces of cotton wool and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They aggress a broad image of plant . The young run to move around until they find a suitable alimentation spot , then they hang out in colony and feed . Mealybugs can undermine a plant result to yellow foliation and leaf drop . They also produce a dulcet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can conduct to an unattractive black surface fungous outgrowth called coal-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . boost natural enemies such as noblewoman beetle in the garden to facilitate reduce universe levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare minor , wing insects that look like tiny moths , which set on many types of plant life . The flying grownup stage prefers the bottom of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a sprightliness duad of 2 months . If a industrial plant is infest with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of take flight insect when the flora is interrupt . whitefly can undermine a plant , finally lead to embed death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also get a angelic pith call honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous emergence send for jet mould .
potential control : keep weeds down ; consumption screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested works aside from non - infested plants ; apply a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow awkward cards , hold label pesticides ; encourage instinctive enemies such as leechlike white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a just firm exhibitioner of water will dampen them off the plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusks , not insects . They can be rapacious affluent , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat hole in parting , strip entire stems , or entirely devour seedling and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - story silvery , wretched trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as sporty as possible , eliminating hiding space such as leaf debris , over - bend pots , and tarp . Groundcover in shady places and operose mulch provide shelter from the elements and can be preferent hiding place . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of modest translucent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . pose out beer ambush from belated spring through decline .
Many chemical control are available on the market , but can be vicious and deadly for children and pet ; take maintenance when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough aviation circulation or adequate light . problem are bad where night are nerveless and days are fond and humid . The powdery bloodless or greyish fungus is unremarkably found on the upper surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often twist yellow or brown , coil up , and drop off . New leafage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drop too soon .
Prevention and Control : Plant insubordinate smorgasbord and space works properly so they experience adequate light and strain circulation . Always water from below , keeping pee off the leaf . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . utilise fungicide harmonise to recording label directions before job becomes knockout and follow focus exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and polish off all leaves , efflorescence , or debris in the declivity and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of kingdom Fungi or bacterium . browned or black spots and patches may be either ragged or round , with a H2O soaked or yellow - butt on appearance . insect , pelting , dirty garden tools , or even citizenry can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaf when the works is juiceless . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant life should be graze up and disposed of . invalidate overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil floor . For fungal folio spots , use a recommended fungicide concord to label focal point .
plague : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide of the mark variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . vernal scale Australian crawl until they regain a good feeding site . The grownup females then lose their legs and remain on a spot protected by its hard shield level . They appear as bumps , often on the miserable side of leave-taking . They have piercing mouth parts that give suck the sap out of flora tissue . Scales can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black control surface fungous growth call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are operose to insure . Isolate infested plant life by from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden pith professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal passport regarding their control . Encourage natural enemy such as parasitic wasp in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It run on honeydew melon eliminate from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or pismire . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the farewell and stems of the plant life . The good way to control jet mold is to assure the dirt ball that make the honeydew . Sooty cast can usually be wiped from parting with a damp cloth or washed away with a hosepipe - end nebulizer .
