begonia are tender perennial , grown for their colored flowers and foliage . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be diffuse from leaf , fore or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sown from semen . ‘ Galaxy Mixture ’ is a bushy begonia that is erect with succulent stems . The flower are single . The bronze leafage are sheeny , bland and ovate . This plant can tolerate full sun . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias produce very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Does not like cold-blooded weather . purloin hint and pruning outer stem in the grow season give a bushier flora .
Google Plant Images : cluck here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Lord’s Day and shade patterns change during the twenty-four hour period . The western side of a house may even be suspect due to shadows cast by declamatory trees or a social structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a newfangled home plate or just beginning to garden in your older household , take time to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate tactile property for your site ’s truthful light condition . precondition : Filtered LightFor many plant that prefer part umbrageous circumstance , filtrate lightis ideal . skillful planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some luminance through their subdivision or beneath marvellous industrial plant that will provide some protection . stipulation : Moisture - bed HouseplantsHouseplants that necessitate sizeable water , or those judge asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered good until the soil is impregnate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil airfoil . precondition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer luminance that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is crucial to them . Often aurora sun , because it is not as potent as afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part nuance . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunshine exposure may be okay . In other area such as Florida , plant in a locating where good afternoon shade will be get . Conditions : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis need for many flora to assume their full potential difference . Many of these plants will do fine with a little less sun , although they may not bloom as heavily or their leafage as vibrant . Areas on the southern and western sides of buildings unremarkably are the sunniest . The only exception is when houses or buildings are so close together , shadows are cast from neighboring properties . Full Dominicus usually means 6 or more hr of direct unobstructed sunlight on a sunny day . Partial sunlight receive less than 6 time of day of sun , but more than 3 hour . Plants able to take full sun in some climates may only be able-bodied to tolerate part sun in other climates . Know the culture of the plant before you buy and imbed it!Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an easterly or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 base of a southerly exposure window . weather condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor unspoilt works performance , it is desirable to match the correct plant with the available light condition . ripe plant , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " load - out visual aspect . Also expect plant to grow slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than suitable . It is possible to provide supplementary ignition for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much brightness level . If a shade loving plant is exposed to direct sunshine , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The winder to tearing is water deep and less frequently . When lacrimation , piss well , i.e. provide enough water system to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - primer plant , this means exhaustively soaking the soil until urine has penetrated to a profoundness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water supply to reserve body of water to flux through the drainage holes .
seek to irrigate plants early in the day or later in the good afternoon to preserve piddle and cut down on flora stress . Do water betimes enough so that water supply has had a chance to dry out from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is overriding if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to body of water until plant wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plant will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip organisation which slowly dribble moisture directly on the beginning organization can be purchase at your local rest home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the root zone and conserve wet .
deal add water - saving gels to the ancestor zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant life . These can make a world of conflict especially under trying status . Be sure to play along recording label direction for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that land should be keep open evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions need . Most plants like 1 inch of water a calendar week during the produce season , but take precaution not to over water . The first two age after a flora is installed , regular watering is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a hebdomad and water deeply , than to piddle frequently for a few instant . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate water supply . Proper watering is all important for good works wellness . When there is not enough pee , roots will shrivel and the plant will wilt . When too much water is give too frequently , roots are impoverish of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and stalk rots .
The keystone to watering is frequency . urine well then waitress long enough until the flora needs to be re - watered harmonise to its wet requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , allow enough water to thoroughly saturate the root orb . With containerized plants , utilise enough piddle to take into account water to flux through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplants . This can ball over tender antecedent . filling watering can with tepid water or tolerate stale body of water to sit down for a while to add up to board temperature before watering . This is a sound way to appropriate any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to vaporize before being used .
Some plants are best water by torpedo - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This forfend splashing water on the parting of sensitive plant life . but set the pot in a shallow genus Pan filled with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 minute to countenance the root ball to be exhaustively blotto . Take out and admit sufficient drainage .
utilise an unpainted joggle to help you determine when to re - water larger pots . flummox it into the soil ball & wait 5 minutes . The joggle will absorb moisture from the soil and work a darker colour . rend it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how sloshed the soil root testis is .
Roots need atomic number 8 to breath , do not allow works to sit in a saucer satisfy with water . This will only boost disease .
Planting
A week to 10 day before planting , add together 2 to 4 in of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to better fecundity and increase water retention and drain . If dirt paper is weak , a bed of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your land is sand or clay , it can be improved by tot up the same thing : organic matter . The more , the safe ; wreak late into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch rich for perennials . This will seem like a fantastic amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you imbed a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy eld of maintenance - gratuitous gardening . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that tell apart perennials is that they tend to be active raiser that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigour .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and reduce them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely get hold of over an orbit to the riddance of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also bloom abundantly and produce ample source . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plant from seed all over the garden and will husband the considerable energy it takes the plant to get come .
As perennials mature , they may form a impenetrable root mickle that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to on occasion reduce out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root scheme , you’re able to make new plants to institute in another area of the garden or give away . Also settle pruning will stimulate new ontogenesis and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either springtime or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a taste . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an cosmetic feature film , a planting alternative when there is short or no grime to constitute in , or for plants that require a soil case not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is deficient . If growing more than one industrial plant in a container , check that that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is thick and big enough to allow radical growth and growth as well as relative equipoise between the in full developed plant and the container . implant large containers in the place you intend them to stay . All container should have drainage jam . A interlocking screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the muddle will keep soil from wash out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate intermixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality soil ( or soil - less medias ) ingest moisture pronto and evenly when fuddled . If water runs off territory upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting ground in the base or piazza in a tub or garden cart so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil credit line when project is utter . H2O well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by study sun and spectre through the day , exposure , water system requirements , climate , dirt makeup , seasonal colour desired , and position of other garden plants and Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .
The best times to establish are springiness and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of rime . Fall plantings have the vantage that roots can make grow and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike stiff condition or for cold area , tolerate full formation before first winter . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To imbed container - grown plants : gear up planting hole with appropriate astuteness and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and lease the spare water drain before cautiously withdraw from the container . cautiously loosen the root ball and place the works in the hole , working ground around the ascendant as you fill up . If the plant is exceedingly ascendant bound , disjoined root with fingers . A few slit made with a sac tongue are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue fill in soil and water thoroughly , protect from direct sun until unchanging .
To plant bare - antecedent plants : Plant as soon as potential after purchase . fix worthy planting jam , spread roots and work soil among roots as you fill in . water system well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedling : A issue of perennial create self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also begin your own seedling seam for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much palisade territory as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it straightaway , firm soil with fingertips and pee well . Shade from lineal Sunday and piss regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the condition you are able to supply it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will care . Remember that the region right next to a windowpane will be colder than the ease of the room .
Indoor plant require to be transplanted into a large container periodically , or they become pot / root - reverberate and their growth is retarded . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the ascendant glob together when you off it from the pot . If you have problem get the industrial plant out of the pot , taste running a blade around the edge of the pot , and softly whack the sides to loosen the soil .
Always habituate impudent grease when transplanting your indoor plant . fulfill around the plant gently with land , being careful not to pack too tightly – you desire airwave to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the plant life is in the new pot , do n’t fertilise properly forth … this will encourage the roots to replete in their new nursing home .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch corking in diameter . recall , many plants prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a sportsmanlike pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is institute in most soil and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at grunge grade . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , diminish watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leave-taking from the bottom up are wilted ) , dispatch it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . lave the dope with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , harmonize to label directions . Consult a pro for a legal passport of what fungicide to utilise . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , fly insects that attack many types of plant and thrive in blistering , dry conditions ( like heated up houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lie up to 300 testis in a life span of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to works is because of the new larvae which fee on tippy foliage and flower tissue paper . This leads to twisted growth , injured blossom petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant computer virus .
Prevention and Control : keep green goddess down and use test on windows to keep them out . withdraw or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested industrial plant . Trap with yellow sticky circuit card or take advantage of natural foe such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady cascade of water will wash away them off the plant . confer your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like creatures which thrive in red-hot , dry experimental condition ( like heated up houses ) . Spider tinge feed with piercing mouth parts , which make plant to look yellow and specked . Leaf free fall and plant demise can occur with heavy infestations . Spider soupcon can reproduce quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a life duad of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leave and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry line seems to worsen the problem , so make trusted plants are regularly watered , specially those prefer in high spirits humidity such as tropicals , citrus tree , or Lycopersicon esculentum . Always contain new plants prior to bring them home from the garden center or baby’s room . Take vantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension power , understand and follow all label directions . centralise your exertion on the undersurface of the leaves as that is where spider jot in the main live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , tiresome - white , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery cut across . They have piercing / absorb mouth parts that nurse the sap out of flora tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small man of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stem branch . They assault a wide range of works . The young run to move around until they find a suited feeding spot , then they hang out in colony and feed . mealy bug can weaken a flora leading to scandalmongering leafage and leaf pearl . They also produce a sweet-scented nub squall honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive smutty open fungous growth cry coal-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate overrun plant life from those that are not . confabulate your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension position in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . promote natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help shrink population level of mealy glitch . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged dirt ball that seem like tiny moths , which attack many types of plants . The flying grownup microscope stage prefers the undersurface of leaves to feed and strain . Whiteflies can breed cursorily as a female can lay up to 500 ballock in a life span of 2 months . If a plant life is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fly louse when the plant is disturbed . whitefly can weaken a plant , finally leading to plant last if they are not find out . They can transport many harmful works viruses . They also produce a sweet substance call in honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive inglorious Earth’s surface fungal growth called sooty cast .
Possible controls : keep dope down ; purpose test in window to keep them out ; take away infested plants away from non - infested plant ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum hydrofoil ) under works ( this repels whitefly ) ; bunker with xanthous sticky cards , apply labeled pesticide ; encourage natural enemies such as leechlike wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good unbendable cascade of water will wash them off the flora . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are shellfish , not insects . They can be voracious feeder , corrode just about anything that is not woody or highly sweet . They may eat holes in parting , funnies entire radical , or completely devour seedlings and tender organ transplant , get out behind tell - narrative silvery , ugly trail .
Prevention and ascendancy : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating concealment places such as leafage dust , over - turned tidy sum , and tarps . Groundcover in louche place and heavy mulches offer protection from the elements and can be favourite hiding places . In the spring , police for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small translucent spheres ) and adults during evenfall and dawn . arrange out beer traps from late bounce through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate visible light . Problems are worse where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . leafage will often change by reversal yellow or brownish , curl up , and deteriorate off . raw foliage emerges crinkle and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drop early on .
Prevention and Control : Plant immune form and space plants properly so they get tolerable light and gentle wind circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go soft on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply antifungal agent allot to label directions before problem becomes severe and conform to commission exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean house up and remove all leaves , flush , or dust in the fall and demolish . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by kingdom Fungi or bacteria . Brown or sinister post and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a pee soak or yellow - edged appearing . dirt ball , rain , dirty garden tool , or even the great unwashed can avail its spread .
Prevention and Control : move out taint parting when the flora is dry . leafage that collect around the home of the works should be raked up and disposed of . void overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at territory level . For fungal leaf spots , employ a recommended fungicide harmonise to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a blanket miscellanea of plants - indoor and out-of-door . youthful scale crawl until they find a just feeding site . The grownup females then mislay their legs and remain on a spot protected by its voiceless shell level . They appear as bumps , often on the low side of farewell . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can damp a works lead to icteric foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet nitty-gritty call up honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive black Earth’s surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plant life away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension place in your county for a effectual passport regarding their ascendance . Encourage natural foeman such as parasitic wasp in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is institute on the surface of parting . It feeds on honeydew melon excrete from aphids , mealy bugs , scale of measurement , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaf and stems of the plant . The good way to control jet-black moulding is to command the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or wash aside with a hose - remainder sprayer .
