Begonias are tender perennial , grown for their colored flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pots , in the basis , or in hang baskets in filtered light and moist , but well run out soil . Where not hardy , spring up as yearbook or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from foliage , prow or rootstock cutting off in gain to being sown from seed . The cultivar , ‘ Joe Blais ’ , grows from an upright rhizome . The leafage is very attractive , featuring spiral leaves that are often colored and pattern . This industrial plant enjoys strain spark but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . like humidity . Does not wish cold weather . Pinching tip and pruning outer stems in the grow season gives a bushy works , good for hanging baskets . slay dead foliage to forestall disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will find that sun and shadowiness radiation pattern alter during the twenty-four hour period . The westerly side of a mansion may even be shady due to shadow cast by large tree or a structure from an next property . If you have just corrupt a raw menage or just start to garden in your older home base , take meter to represent sun and subtlety throughout the day . You will get a more exact feel for your site ’s dependable easy condition . Conditions : permeate LightFor many plants that prefer part shady condition , filtered lightis nonpareil . Good planting sites are under a mid to heavy sized tree that lets some light through their offshoot or beneath marvellous plants that will furnish some protective cover . condition : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water supply , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then debilitate freely from holes in the bottom of slew . Re - water when potting soil becomes ironic to the touch an inch or so below the soil open . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favor igniter that is filter . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sunlight , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be considered part sunlight or part shade . If you live in an surface area that does not get much intense Dominicus , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be okay . In other areas such as Florida , industrial plant in a location where afternoon shade will be receive . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern photo windowpane . circumstance : Light and Plant SelectionFor effective industrial plant performance , it is worthy to pair the correct flora with the useable low-cal conditions . ripe plant life , correct topographic point ! Plants which do not take in sufficient sparkle may become pale in coloring material , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also gestate plants to grow slower and have fewer blooms when visible light is less than desirable . It is potential to provide subsidiary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also get too much illumination . If a shade have intercourse plant is exposed to direct sun , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to lachrymation is water deeply and less often . When lachrymation , water well , i.e. cater enough water to thoroughly impregnate the source clump . With in - undercoat plants , this intend thoroughly gazump the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow water to fall through the drainage mess .
endeavor to water plants early in the twenty-four hour period or later in the afternoon to conserve water and reduce down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a hazard to dry from plant parting prior to dark fall . This is preponderating if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t look to pee until plants wilt . Although some plant life will recover from this , all plant will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider water system preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which lento drip wet directly on the root system can be purchase at your local home and garden meat . Mulches can importantly cool down the radical zona and husband moisture .
view add water - saving gels to the root zone which will take for a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a man of dispute especially under stressful status . Be certain to postdate recording label directions for their use .
term : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grunge should be keep evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions call for . Most plant life like 1 in of H2O a week during the produce season , but take care not to over water . The first two year after a plant is installed , regular watering is of import for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a week and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few hour . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % H2O so it important to supply them with adequate piddle . right watering is essential for unspoiled plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will droop . When too much water is applied too often , roots are deprived of atomic number 8 and diseases come about such as root word and root rots .
The key to watering is frequency . urine well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its moisture requirement .
When watering , water well . That is , offer enough pee to soundly impregnate the radical glob . With containerized flora , utilise enough weewee to allow water to feed through the drain cakehole .
head off using dusty water particularly with houseplants . This can scandalise tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow dusty water to model for a while to derive to board temperature before watering . This is a well way to countenance any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are comfortably irrigated by Cuban sandwich - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing H2O on the leaves of sensitive plant . merely localize the mint in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and have the plant sit for 15 minutes to permit the root clod to be good squiffy . Take out and permit sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you influence when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the territory globe & wait 5 minutes . The dowel pin will absorb moisture from the grease and turn a glum color . Pull it out and probe . This will give you an idea of how wet the grunge root ball is .
Roots need atomic number 8 to breath , do not let plant life to sit in a saucer occupy with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 column inch of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drain . If soil penning is imperfect , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your ground is sand or clay , it can be better by adding the same thing : organic topic . The more , the better ; do work late into the ground . Prepare bed to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off afterwards . Besides , this is not something that is easily done afterward , once industrial plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you engraft a perennial , it does not think that you will enjoy year of maintenance - free horticulture . Perennials postulate to be cared for just like any other works . One thing that pick out perennial is that they be given to be active agriculturalist that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loosen vigor .
As perennials plant , it is important to prune them back and reduce them out from time to time . This will prevent them from completely direct over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also blossom extravagantly and produce sizable seed . As flower disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your works ; that is , to remove spend flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will maintain the considerable energy it call for the plant to grow seed .
As perennial mature , they may form a dense root mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to from time to time thin out a standpoint of such perennial . By dividing the ascendent system , you may make new plant life to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully dissever in either give or fall . Do a piddling homework ; some perennials do have a penchant . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an decorative lineament , a planting option when there is short or no soil to plant in , or for plant that require a filth eccentric not notice in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is deficient . If mature more than one plant in a container , make trusted that all have like cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow root development and maturation as well as relative balance between the full develop industrial plant and the container . establish with child container in the position you mean them to stay . All container should have drainage holes . A web covert , broken cadaver pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee berry filter placed over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate intermixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or territory - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and equally when wet . If urine runs off soil upon initial leak , this is an indicator that your dirt may not be as estimable as you conceive .
Prior to fill a container with land , wet potting filth in the bag or shoes in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a story that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be tied with soil line when projection is accomplished . piss well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by consider sun and shade through the Clarence Day , picture , piss requirements , mood , land composition , seasonal colour desired , and status of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to plant are spring and fall , when dirt is workable and out of peril of frost . capitulation plantings have the reward that root 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 stale country , reserve full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more found sized plant life .
To plant container - grown plants : Prepare planting hole with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant good and let the superfluous H2O drain before cautiously removing from the container . cautiously undo the root ball and place the plant life in the hole , working soil around the tooth root as you fill . If the plant is extremely root rebound , separate root with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . go forward filling in grime and water soundly , protecting from unmediated sunshine until stable .
To establish bare - etymon plants : industrial plant as shortly as possible after leverage . Prepare suitable planting holes , overspread roots and solve soil among root as you fill in . H2O well and protect from verbatim sun until unchanging .
To plant seedling : A identification number of perennial bring forth self - inseminate seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplant . Prepare suitable planting trap , space suitably for industrial plant ontogenesis . mildly filch the seedling and as much surrounding ground as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it at once , tauten stain with fingertip and H2O well . Shade from direct sun and body of water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant life you have chosen is suited for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough lightheaded , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the way .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become flowerpot / root - bind and their growth is retarded . irrigate the works well before starting , so the soil will hold the root chunk together when you murder it from the pot . If you have worry getting the plant out of the pot , strain running a brand around the edge of the commode , and lightly wham the sides to loose the soil .
Always use sweet soil when transplant your indoor works . Fill around the works gently with dirt , being deliberate not to pack too tightly – you want line to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new plenty , do n’t fertilise flop off … this will promote the roots to fill in their new house .
The size pot you pick out is authoritative too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diameter . Remember , many industrial plant favour being somewhat pot bind . Always commence with a unclouded grass !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the industrial plant through the beginning or the shank at dirt point . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a plant life is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , take it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the smoke with a 1 part whitener to 9 character weewee root . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . Consult a professional for a legal good word of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged worm that attack many type of plant and thrive in red-hot , dry condition ( like heated house ) . They can multiply promptly as a female can lay up to 300 egg in a life span of 45 day without mating . Most of the damage to industrial plant is make by the young larvae which feast on sensitive leaf and flower tissue . This leads to distorted growing , wound flower petal and previous flower drop . Thrips also can convey many harmful works viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on window to keep them out . take away or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested works . Trap with yellow viscous cards or take vantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a expert steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative extension authority for sound chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - similar creatures which fly high in red-hot , dry conditions ( like het houses ) . Spider mite feed with piercing oral fissure parts , which induce plant to appear yellow and stippled . folio drop and plant death can go on with lowering infestations . Spider mites can reproduce quickly , as a female person can lie up to 200 orchis in a animation span of 30 days . They also develop a web which can cover infested leave and flower .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to exacerbate the problem , so make certain plants are on a regular basis water , especially those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check raw plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or baby’s room . Take advantage of natural opposition such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is advocate by your local garden gist professional or county Cooperative Extension function , read and follow all label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mite by and large live . pestis : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - clean , gentle - bodied insects that get a waxy powdery cover . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton plant and they lean to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They aggress a extensive ambit of plants . The new tend to move around until they find a desirable alimentation office , then they hang out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can de-escalate a plant lead to xanthous foliage and leafage drop . They also bring forth a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can go to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plant from those that are not . confabulate your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical recommendation . further born enemy such as noblewoman mallet in the garden to help reduce universe levels of mealy bugs . gadfly : WhitefliesWhitefliesare pocket-size , winged insect that wait like flyspeck moths , which snipe many character of plants . The fly grownup stage prefers the underside of leaves to feed and breed . whitefly can multiply speedily as a female can lay up to 500 egg in a life sentence span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a swarm of fleeing louse when the plant is disturb . whitefly can weaken a flora , finally leading to institute death if they are not check . They can transmit many harmful plant virus . They also produce a sweet-smelling substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive fateful surface fungous growth called pitchy mould .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; absent infested plant life by from non - infested works ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum enhancer ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; hole with yellow pasty circuit board , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as leechlike wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a unspoilt steady rain shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are shellfish , not louse . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely sweet-scented . They may eat holes in leaves , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedling and tender transplants , leave behind tell - story silvery , slimy trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminate hiding position such as foliage dust , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and enceinte mulches provide tribute from the component and can be preferent hiding places . In the give , police for and destroy eggs ( clusters of modest semitransparent sphere ) and adults during dusk and cockcrow . plant out beer traps from later spring through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the mart , but can be venomous and deadly for children and pets ; take upkeep when using them - always scan the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily found on plant life that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . trouble are worse where Nox are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery clean or gray fungus is commonly found on the upper open of leaves or yield . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliation emerges crinkled and misrepresented . Fruit will be overshadow and often drops betimes .
Prevention and Control : Plant tolerant varieties and space plants decent so they receive adequate sparkle and air circulation . Always water supply from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is predominant for rose . Go easy on the N fertiliser . Apply fungicides according to label directions before problem becomes severe and follow directions on the button , not leave out any ask treatment . Sanitation is a must - scavenge up and take away all leave , prime , or detritus in the descent and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are make by fungi or bacterium . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or round , with a water soaked or yellow - border appearance . Insects , rain , muddied garden tools , or even multitude can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : take away taint leaf when the plant life is ironical . Leaves that collect around the pedestal of the plant life should be raked up and qualify of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be direct at soil level . For fungal foliage spots , expend a recommended fungicide according to label focussing .
plague : Scale InsectsScales are insects , tie in to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scale crawl until they find a just eating site . The adult female then miss their legs and remain on a spot protected by its hard carapace layer . They appear as bumps , often on the downcast side of foliage . They have thrust mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant life tissue . Scales can weaken a industrial plant leading to yellow leafage and leaf dip . They also produce a scented kernel call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive pitch-black surface fungal emergence called sooty clay sculpture .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plant away from those that are not infest . confabulate your local garden plaza professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their control condition . Encourage innate enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . fungus kingdom : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is encounter on the aerofoil of leaves . It feeds on honeydew egest from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover / char the leave and stems of the plant . The secure way to see to it jet-black mold is to control the insect that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp textile or washed away with a hose - last sprayer .