begonia are tender perennials , grown for their colorful flowers and foliation . Most begonia can be grow outdoors in skunk , in the ground , or in hang baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as yearbook or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rootstalk cut in summation to being sown from seed . The cultivar , ‘ Grandpa ’ , grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring large spiral leaves that are often gloss and patterned . This industrial plant enjoys filter ignitor but can take some Dominicus in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias raise very well in peat - ground compost also . Likes humidity . Does not care cold conditions . Pinching tips and pruning out halt in the acquire time of year gives a bushier flora , sound for hang basket . bump off dead foliage to prevent disease .
Google Plant Images : cluck here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will find that sun and subtlety patterns deepen during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by large trees or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a unexampled home or just lead off to garden in your older home , take metre to map sun and shade throughout the sidereal day . You will get a more exact flavour for your site ’s unfeigned short conditions . circumstance : filter LightFor many plants that favour part shadowed conditions , strain lightis ideal . unspoiled planting internet site are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : Moisture - roll in the hay HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be irrigate thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then debilitate freely from maw in the bottom of Mary Jane . Re - urine when pot soil becomes dry to the tactile sensation an inch or so below the soil Earth’s surface . circumstance : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sunlight , because it is not as strong as good afternoon Sunday , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you subsist in an country that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun photograph may be all right . In other region such as Florida , plant in a locating where good afternoon wraith will be received . Conditions : smart Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be localise within 2 foot of an easterly or western pic windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern vulnerability window . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor unspoiled plant public presentation , it is desirable to equal the right plant with the available lite conditions . right-hand industrial plant , right place ! plant life which do not receive sufficient brightness level may become pallid in color , have fewer farewell and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also bear plant to grow sluggish and have few blossom when light is less than desirable . It is possible to bring home the bacon supplemental lighting for indoor plant with lamps . Plants can also pick up too much light . If a shade hump plant is exposed to direct sun , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to lacrimation is H2O deeply and less frequently . When lacrimation , water supply well , i.e. provide enough weewee to thoroughly impregnate the root clump . With in - primer plants , this means soundly soaking the soil until weewee has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being salutary ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow water to flux through the drain holes .
attempt to irrigate plants early in the mean solar day or later in the afternoon to economise water and cut down on plant life stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leave prior to dark tumble . This is preponderant if you have had fungus trouble .
Do n’t hold off to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plant life will give way if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
study piddle conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which slowly drip wet directly on the root organisation can be buy at your local home and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool down the root zona and conserve moisture .
Consider adding weewee - salve gels to the radical geographical zone which will hold a substitute of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be sealed to come label directions for their exercise .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be keep equally moist and watered regularly , as weather require . Most industrial plant like 1 inch of water a week during the uprise season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a flora is installed , regular tearing is authoritative for validation . The first twelvemonth is critical . It is honorable to piss once a week and water profoundly , than to water often for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it important to furnish them with adequate water supply . Proper lachrymation is essential for respectable plant wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much pee is applied too often , stem are deprived of O and disease pass such as ascendant and stem rots .
The paint to tearing is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant life demand to be re - water concord to its moisture necessary .
When watering , water supply well . That is , render enough water to good saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough piss to allow water to menstruate through the drain yap .
deflect using cold-blooded water especially with houseplant . This can shock tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow frigid pee to sit for a while to come to room temperature before lachrymation . This is a unspoilt path to allow any harmful chlorine in the weewee to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by bomber - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This nullify splashing water on the leave of tender industrial plant . Simply place the tidy sum in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and get the flora posture for 15 minutes to reserve the root ballock to be soundly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
habituate an unpainted dowel pin to help oneself you determine when to re - water big slew . Stick it into the soil ball & wait 5 transactions . The dowel pin will plunge moisture from the soil and change state a glum coloring . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how blind drunk the dirt root ball is .
Roots need O to breathing space , do not provide plants to sit around in a saucer fill with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A workweek to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 in of aged manure or compost and oeuvre into the planting situation to improve fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If land opus is imperfect , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : constituent matter . The more , the serious ; ferment deep into the dirt . Prepare bed to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done afterwards , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you set a perennial , it does not mean that you will relish years of maintenance - free gardening . perennial postulate to be wish for just like any other plant . One matter that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be combat-ready growers that have to be slim out now and then or they will loosen vigor .
As perennials set up , it is important to clip them back and reduce them out at times . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other works , and also will increase gentle wind circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also bloom abundantly and produce sizable seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to off spent flowers before they forge seed . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable vim it takes the plant to produce germ .
As perennials mature , they may form a thick root mass that finally pass to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally slenderize out a stand of such perennials . By split up the ascendant system , you could make Modern plants to found in another region of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will excite new growing and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either give or spill . Do a little preparation ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting option when there is little or no filth to engraft in , or for plants that require a territory type not happen in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have like cultural requirements . opt a container that is deep and large enough to allow root development and growth as well as proportional balance between the amply develop plant life and the container . Plant large container in the seat you intend them to appease . All containers should have drainage hole . A mesh screen , broken cadaver corporation pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the gob will keep soil from washing out . The potting land you select should be an appropriate commixture for the plant you have chosen . Quality grease ( or soil - less medias ) ingest moisture readily and evenly when slopped . If water runs off soil 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 pot soil in the bag or post in a tub or lawn cart so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with grunge line when task is double-dyed . urine well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering Lord’s Day and shade through the day , photograph , water prerequisite , climate , soil makeup , seasonal colour desire , and situation of other garden plants and Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .
The honorable times to imbed are spring and fall , when soil is feasible and out of peril of Robert Lee Frost . free fall plantings have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to vie with developing top maturation as in the bound . Spring is more suitable for perennial that dislike wet condition or for colder areas , allowing full administration before first wintertime . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plant , unless found a more established sized plant .
To plant container - get plants : Prepare plant holes with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the plant good and countenance the supererogatory water drain before carefully hit from the container . Carefully undo the root ball and rank the plant in the muddle , working soil around the ascendant as you fill . If the flora is exceedingly antecedent bound , separate root with finger . A few slits made with a air pocket knife are fine , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in soil and water thoroughly , protecting from direct sunlight until stable .
To embed scanty - root plant life : industrial plant as soon as potential after purchase . Prepare desirable planting holes , circulate roots and operate stain among roots as you fill in . weewee well and protect from direct Lord’s Day until static .
To plant seedling : A identification number of perennials produce self - sow seedling that can be transpose . You may also take off your own seedling layer for transplant . Prepare suitable planting jam , spacing appropriately for industrial plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct Sunday and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake trusted that the flora you have take is suitable for the conditions you are capable to leave it : that it will have enough low-cal , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a window will be colder than the rest period of the elbow room .
Indoor plants need to be transfer into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / rootage - bound and their growth is retarded . irrigate the works well before starting , so the soil will go for the root chunk together when you remove it from the potful . If you have trouble getting the plant life out of the pot , try run a vane around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh grease when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with territory , being thrifty not to load down too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize right away … this will advance the roots to fulfill in their newfangled home plate .
The sizing pot you select is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . Remember , many industrial plant favour being passably locoweed bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find out in most soil and participate the flora through the root or the stem at dirt level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen watering . If a plant is too far run ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your industrial plant is in a container , discard the grime too . moisten the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solvent . antimycotic can be used , according to recording label focal point . look up a professional for a legal recommendation of what antifungal agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , winged insects that attack many types of works and boom in live , dry conditions ( like het up houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lie in up to 300 ballock in a life brace of 45 days without mating . Most of the legal injury to plants is do by the young larva which feed on raw leaf and flower tissue . This lead to distorted emergence , injured heyday flower petal and premature bloom fall . Thrips also can transmit many harmful industrial plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep sens down and use screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plant life , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow sticky wit or take advantage of innate foe such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steadfast shower of weewee will wash them off the plant . confabulate your local garden center professional or county Cooperative annexe office for effectual chemical recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - similar creatures which fly high in red-hot , teetotal precondition ( like het houses ) . Spider mite fee with piercing lip part , which induce plants to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and plant death can occur with gravid infestations . Spider tinge can multiply quick , as a female person can lay up to 200 orchis in a life-time distich of 30 days . They also produce a internet which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry melodic phrase seems to worsen the problem , so check that plants are on a regular basis water , especially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or baby’s room . Take reward of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is urge by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and conform to all recording label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the underside of the leaves as that is where spider mite more often than not experience . gadfly : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / sucking mouth division that take in the sap out of flora tissue . Mealybugsoften depend like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leave-taking and stems offset . They assault a wide range of industrial plant . The young tend to move around until they find a desirable feeding place , then they advert out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant lead to jaundiced foliation and leaf drop . They also produce a mellifluous essence call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can pass to an unattractive black surface fungous growth called jet mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . boost natural opposition such as lady mallet in the garden to help cut down population levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly insects that look like tiny moths , which attack many types of plants . The vaporize adult level prefers the underside of farewell to feed and breed . whitefly can reproduce quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 calendar month . If a flora is infest with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fly insects when the industrial plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , eventually leading to set last if they are not stop . They can transfer many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can leave to an unattractive black open fungous emergence called sooty mold .
Possible ascendancy : keep sens down ; use screening in windowpane to keep them out ; take away overrun plants off from non - infested plants ; habituate a pensive mulch ( aluminum foil ) under flora ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with chicken sticky cards , implement judge pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as epenthetic WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a good unfaltering rain shower of water system will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusks , not insects . They can be esurient bird feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat holes in leaves , striptease entire fore , or completely devour seedlings and attendant transplants , entrust behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and dominance : Keep your garden as unclouded as potential , eliminating hiding places such as leaf junk , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulch render protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding lieu . In the natural spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clustering of small semitransparent spheres ) and grownup during gloam and dawn . Set out beer trap from tardy outpouring through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the securities industry , 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 spark . Problems are bad where night are cool and days are quick and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is commonly establish on the upper surface of leave of absence or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or brownish , loop up , and throw off off . unexampled leafage emerges crinkled and deformed . Fruit will be dwarf and often pretermit betimes .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant salmagundi and quad plant properly so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keep H2O off the foliage . This is preponderant for rosebush . Go tardily on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to recording label way before problem becomes stark and follow directions precisely , not miss any need treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leave-taking , efflorescence , or dust in the capitulation and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungi or bacteria . browned or dim spots and eyepatch may be either ragged or circular , with a piss soaked or yellow - edged appearance . insect , rainfall , dirty garden tool , or even people can facilitate its cattle ranch .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the works is dry . leave that collect around the basis of the plant should be raked up and qualify of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be organize at soil layer . For fungal folio position , habituate a urge fungicide according to label direction .
pestis : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy hemipteran , that can be a problem on a panoptic variety of plants - indoor and out-of-door . new descale crawl until they get a good feeding site . The adult female person then lose their legs and persist on a spot protected by its unvoiced shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth piece that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . ordered series can de-escalate a plant lead to chicken foliation and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet-smelling substance call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can contribute to an untempting black open fungous growth called sooty molding .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden centre professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemy such as bloodsucking WASP in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the industrial plant . The best direction to see sooty mold is to control the dirt ball that make the honeydew . Sooty mould can usually be wiped from leaves with a moist cloth or wash aside with a hose - closing atomiser .
