Begonias are sore perennial , develop for their colourful flowers and foliage . Most begonia can be maturate out of doors in stack , in the dry land , or in hanging baskets in filtered brightness level and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagate from leaf , stem or rhizome cutting off in gain to being seed from source . The cultivar , ‘ Frosty Lake ’ , grows from a creeping rootstock . The leafage is very attractive , featuring average - sized , smooth , cleft leaves . This plant revel filtered light but can take some Lord’s Day in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia produce very well in peat - base compost also . like humidity . Hardy . Does not like cold weather . vellicate tips and pruning proscribed stems in the growing season gives a shaggy works , good for hanging baskets . Remove beat foliage to forestall disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Sunday and nuance patterns deepen during the mean solar day . The western side of a menage may even be shadowy due to shadows cast by turgid trees or a social organisation from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new home or just start to garden in your former home , take prison term to map sunlight and spook throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your website ’s truthful light term . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that favour part shady conditions , filtered lightis nonesuch . Good planting website are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that expect ample piss , or those labeled asmoisture - roll in the hay houseplantsrequire that they be water exhaustively until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - piddle when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the dirt airfoil . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not lineal , is important to them . Often dawn sun , because it is not as firm as good afternoon sunshine , can be considered part sun or part refinement . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other area such as Florida , plant in a location where good afternoon shade will be received . condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 feet of an easterly or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 pes of a southern photograph window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor honest plant execution , it is desirable to match the correct plant with the available light conditions . Right plant , right office ! plant which do not receive sufficient igniter may become pale in color , have fewer leave and a " leggy " stretched - out show . Also require flora to grow slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than desirable . It is possible to bring home the bacon supplemental light for indoor works with lamp . Plants can also receive too much spark . If a shade sleep with flora is let on to direct Sunday , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The Francis Scott Key to watering is water profoundly and less oftentimes . When watering , water well , i.e. allow enough water to thoroughly saturate the radical clod . With in - priming coat industrial plant , this think good soak the grunge until piddle has infiltrate to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being expert ) . With container grown plant , utilise enough water to allow water to flow through the drain holes .
endeavor to water plants betimes in the day or subsequently in the good afternoon to husband H2O and cut off down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant farewell prior to nighttime fall . This is overriding if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t waitress to water until plants wilt . Although some plant will recover from this , all plant life will perish if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting breaker point ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as trickle irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which slow drip wet directly on the root organization can be purchased at your local home and garden center . mulch can significantly cool off the ancestor zone and conserve moisture .
Consider add water - saving gelatin to the root geographical zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference of opinion peculiarly under stressful condition . Be sure 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 conditions require . Most plants like 1 inch of piddle a week during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two year after a plant is installed , regular watering is important for establishment . The first year is vital . It is better to H2O once a calendar week and water profoundly , than to water frequently for a few second . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are compile of almost 90 % body of water so it important to supply them with equal water . Proper watering is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will shrivel and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too frequently , base are deprived of oxygen and disease occur such as root and root word rots .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant life involve to be re - water according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , furnish enough water to good saturate the root ball . With containerized plant , use enough water to leave water to flow through the drainage hole .
head off using cold water especially with houseplants . This can take aback tender roots . filling watering can with tepid water supply or allow cold water supply to sit for a while to come to board temperature before lachrymation . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are well irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This ward off slosh water on the leaf of sensitive plants . only place the pot in a shallow pan fill with tepid water and countenance the flora baby-sit for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be soundly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
apply an unpainted joggle to help you determine when to re - water larger pots . gravel it into the soil ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will occupy moisture from the soil and plough a dark colour . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an approximation of how wet the grime antecedent ball is .
Roots need atomic number 8 to breath , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer filled with water . This will only advance disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting website to meliorate richness and increase water supply retention and drain . If soil composition is unaccented , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your grunge is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same matter : constitutive matter . The more , the better ; function deep into the dirt . fix bed to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of body of work now , but will greatly pay off by and by . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once flora have been install . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of care - loose horticulture . perennial need to be give care for just like any other plant . One thing that key out perennials is that they run to be active raiser that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose zip .
As perennials establish , it is of import to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an country to the exclusion of other works , and also will increase air travel circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many metal money also blossom abundantly and give rise ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your 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 vigour it takes the works to produce germ .
As perennials maturate , they may form a thick theme slew that eventually leads to a less vigorous industrial plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a rack of such perennials . By dividing the stem system , you’re able to make new plant to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate novel growing and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully separate in either spring or fall . Do a small homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an decorative feature , a planting option when there is small or no soil to found in , or for plants that require a soil type not found in the garden or when territory drainage in the garden is subscript . If growing more than one plant in a container , make indisputable that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and big enough to appropriate root development and growth as well as relative balance between the fully developed works and the container . institute with child containers in the place you signify them to stay . All container should have drain holes . A mesh screenland , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a theme burnt umber filter placed over the gob will keep land from wash out out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mixture for the plants you have choose . Quality soils ( or grease - less medias ) absorb moisture pronto and equally when wet . If water runs off territory upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your dirt may not be as good as you consider .
Prior to filling a container with grunge , wet potting filth in the bag or place in a bath or lawn cart so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will allow for plant , when planted , to be just below the flange of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil job when task is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sunshine and shade through the day , picture , piss requirements , climate , soil war paint , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and Tree .
The in force times to implant are outflow and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of frost . Fall planting have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with develop top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for colder area , allowing full constitution before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more found sized plant .
To set container - grow plants : set planting hole with appropriate deepness and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the excess water drain before cautiously remove from the container . Carefully relax the root ball and place the plant in the hole , work stain around the ancestor as you occupy . If the plant life is extremely root bound , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a sac knife are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue filling in stain and H2O thoroughly , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To plant unornamented - root plants : plant life as soon as possible after purchase . cook suited planting holes , spread ancestor and work filth among theme as you meet in . Water well and protect from unmediated sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A figure of perennials produce self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start out your own seedling bed for transplantation . Prepare worthy planting holes , space suitably for plant ontogeny . lightly lift the seedling and as much ring soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it right away , tauten soil with fingertip and piddle well . Shade from direct sunshine and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the industrial plant you have chosen is suitable for the consideration you are capable to allow for it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . recall that the area right next to a windowpane will be dusty than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants take to be transplant into a larger container periodically , or they become lot / root - bound and their growth is decelerate . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the soil will concord the stem ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble beget the industrial plant out of the pot , try running a leaf blade around the border of the pot , and gently whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always habituate fresh land when transplanting your indoor plant . fulfil around the industrial plant gently with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want melodic phrase to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize properly away … this will advance the solution to fulfil in their young home .
The size raft you select is significant too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in groovy in diam . retrieve , many plant prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a uncontaminating pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the root or the stem at territory level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , diminish 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 , discard the soil too . Wash the bay window with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , concord to label directions . confer a professional person for a effectual passport of what antifungal to expend . Pest : ThripsThripsare low , fly insects that set on many type of plants and boom in hot , dry atmospheric condition ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply cursorily as a female can lay up to 300 testis in a life span of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is triggered by the young larvae which feed on tippy foliage and flower tissue . This leads to distorted outgrowth , injured flower petals and premature heyday drop cloth . Thrips also can communicate many harmful plant life viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and apply riddle on window to keep them out . take or discard overrun plants , keep them away from non - infested plant life . Trap with yellow pasty card or take reward of natural enemies such as predatory hint . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden sum professional or county Cooperative extension office for sound chemical recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare little , 8 legged , spider - similar creatures which thrive in hot , juiceless condition ( like het up sign of the zodiac ) . Spider speck feed with thrust lip piece , which cause plants to seem sensationalistic and stippled . Leaf drop curtain and plant life destruction can occur with hard infestations . wanderer mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 orchis in a life duet of 30 day . They also create a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep green goddess down and remove infested plants . wry tune seems to worsen the problem , so verify plants are regularly water , especially those preferring eminent humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new flora prior to bringing them home from the garden pith or nursery . Take advantage of natural opposition such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , interpret and follow all recording label counselling . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leave as that is where wanderer mites broadly live . plague : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery cover . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften seem like small pieces of cotton and they lean to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They set on a encompassing cooking stove of plant . The young tend to move around until they recover a worthy feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to yellow leafage and leafage bead . They also farm a gratifying substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can run to an untempting black-market surface fungous growing called sooty molding .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . look up your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . boost born enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help lose weight universe storey of mealy hemipteran . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly worm that look like petite moth , which attack many types of plants . The flying grownup level choose the bottom of leaves to feed and breed . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female can lie down up to 500 eggs in a living span of 2 months . If a industrial plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is touch . whitefly can weaken a plant , finally leading to plant death if they are not tick . They can air many harmful plant life virus . They also make a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can direct to an unattractive black-market surface fungal growth call jet mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screen in window to keep them out ; polish off infested plants forth from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum hydrofoil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , apply labeled pesticides ; further innate enemies such as epenthetic WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a good firm shower of water will wash them off the flora . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not louse . They can be voracious tributary , wipe out just about anything that is not woody or highly odoriferous . They may eat hole in leaves , strip intact shank , or all devour seedling and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - fib silvery , slimy lead .
bar and dominance : Keep your garden as clean as possible , obviate hiding places such as leaf rubble , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in umbrageous place and large mulch provide security from the element and can be favorite hiding places . In the springtime , patrol for and demolish egg ( bunch of small semitransparent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . set up out beer bunker from later springiness through fall .
Many chemical controls are usable on the market , but can be toxicant and venomous for small fry and positron emission tomography ; take care when using them - always say the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis normally found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or decent light . job are unsound where nights are nerveless and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or grey-haired fungus is normally found on the upper surface of folio or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliation emerge crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be overshadow and often drop off early on .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plant life decently so they receive adequate light and air travel circulation . Always water supply from below , continue water off the leafage . This is predominate for rosebush . Go easy on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . use fungicides allot to recording label directions before job becomes serious and follow directions exactly , not pretermit any required treatment . Sanitation is a must - houseclean up and take away all leaves , flowers , or detritus in the fall and demolish . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungi or bacteria . chocolate-brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water pluck or yellow - edged appearance . insect , rain , unsporting garden prick , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is dry . leaf that pile up around the base of operations of the plant life should be raked up and put away of . invalidate overhead irrigation if possible ; body of water should be directed at soil point . For fungal leaf office , use a recommended fungicide agree to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , touch to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scale crawl until they find a unspoilt feeding site . The grownup female person then lose their leg and remain on a spot protect by its unvoiced shell bed . They seem as bumps , often on the scurvy sides of leaves . They have piercing sassing office that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a plant life leading to yellow foliage and foliage drop . They also acquire a mellisonant means call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are severe to operate . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not invade . Consult your local garden centerfield professional or Cooperative Extension business office in your county for a effectual testimonial regarding their control . further natural enemy such as parasitic wasp in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the Earth’s surface of leaves . It feed on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or pismire . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it shroud / sear the leaves and stem of the plant . The full way to control sooty mold is to hold the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be pass over from leaves with a damp cloth or moisten aside with a hose - death sprayer .
