begonia are tender perennials , turn for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in pots , in the basis , or in hanging basket in filtered luminousness and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , produce as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from foliage , fore or rootstalk cuttings in accession to being sow from seed . ( Plant width : leaves 3 to 6 inch ) The cultivar , ‘ Lexington , ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The leafage is very attractive , featuring average - sized , placid , lobed leaves . The flower are pink and blossom in former springiness . This plant enjoys filtered brightness level but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia maturate very well in peat - base compost also . like humidness . fearless . Does not care dusty conditions . Pinching tips and pruning out stems in the growing season gives a shaggy plant , skillful for hang field goal . Remove utter foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will point out that sun and shade pattern deepen during the day . The westerly side of a household may even be shady due to shadows cast by great trees or a body structure from an adjacent property . If you have just grease one’s palms a unexampled home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to map out sun and shade throughout the mean solar day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s truthful light weather . Conditions : filtrate LightFor many plants that prefer partially shadowy conditions , filtered lightis saint . Good planting situation are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that permit some luminance through their branches or beneath taller plant that will allow some aegis . term : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that need ample water supply , or those labeled asmoisture - get it on houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from yap in the bottom of hatful . Re - water when pot land becomes dry to the touching an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer visible radiation that is filter out . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often dayspring sun , because it is not as substantial as good afternoon sun , can be study part sun or part tad . If you live in an field that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Dominicus exposure may be ok . In other sphere such as Florida , plant in a localisation where good afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : lustrous Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be come in within 2 foot of an eastern or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern vulnerability window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor dependable flora carrying into action , it is desirable to match the right industrial plant with the usable light conditions . Right plant , right place ! Plants which do not take in sufficient light may become pale in colour , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect industrial plant to spring up slower and have fewer blooms when brightness level is less than suitable . It is potential to cater supplemental kindling for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also meet too much light . If a nuance loving industrial plant is exposed to verbatim sunshine , it may wilt and/or get leaf to be burn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The winder to tearing is urine deeply and less frequently . When lacrimation , piddle well , i.e. provide enough water to exhaustively saturate the ascendant globe . With in - ground plants , this means soundly soaking the ground until water has penetrated to a profundity of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being upright ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drain holes .
attempt to irrigate plants early in the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. or after in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on works emphasis . Do water betimes enough so that body of water has had a fortune to dry from industrial plant leaves prior to Nox fall . This is predominate if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t hold off to piddle until plants wilt . Although some plants will regain from this , all plants will perish if they droop too much ( when they attain the lasting wilting decimal point ) .
Consider water supply conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip wet directly on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . mulch can importantly cool down the ascendent zone and maintain wet .
regard sum up water - saving gels to the ancestor zona which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of remainder especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be preserve evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions expect . Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the rise season , but take care not to over weewee . The first two year after a plant is installed , regular watering is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a week and water deeply , than to water supply oft for a few bit . term : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % urine so it important to provide them with adequate water . Proper watering is essential for good plant life wellness . When there is not enough water , root will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is apply too often , roots are deprive of oxygen and disease hap such as root and stem rots .
The key to watering is frequency . weewee well then wait long enough until the plant take to be re - watered according to its wet demand .
When watering , piddle well . That is , leave enough piss to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , put on enough water to allow urine to flow through the drain holes .
forfend using cold water especially with houseplants . This can take aback tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid water supply or allow moth-eaten water supply to sit for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a right way to countenance any harmful chlorine in the water to disappear before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by hoagie - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splash H2O on the foliage of raw works . just place the green goddess in a shallow goat god replete with tepid weewee and let the plant baby-sit for 15 minutes to allow the root ballock to be soundly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the dirt musket ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel pin will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a darker colour . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how tight the land solution testis is .
Roots need oxygen to breathing place , do not allow plants to sit down in a saucer replete with H2O . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 day before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to better fertility rate and increase water supply retention and drain . If soil composition is light , a level of topsoil should be take as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by add the same matter : organic matter . The more , the good ; work deep into the grease . set up bed to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of body of work now , but will greatly yield off subsequently . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you implant a perennial , it does not mean that you will savor years of maintenance - free gardening . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active agriculturist that have to be thinned out on occasion or they will unleash vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to rationalize them back and lose weight them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plant , and also will increase air travel circulation thereby reduce the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many species also flower copiously and produce ample seminal fluid . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your industrial plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form germ . This will forestall your plants from seed all over the garden and will economize the considerable vitality it submit the plant to produce come .
As perennials age , they may form a dense root mass that eventually conduce to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a viewpoint of such perennial . By separate the origin organization , you’re able to make Modern plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will provoke new growth and regenerate the works . Most perennials may be successfully part in either spring or downslope . Do a lilliputian preparation ; some perennials do have a predilection . How - to : organise ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plant that require a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If grow more than one works in a container , verify that all have similar ethnical prerequisite . select a container that is deep and large enough to allow antecedent development and growth as well as proportional equaliser between the amply developed plant and the container . Plant big containers in the place you mean them to stay . All container should have drain jam . A mesh sieve , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper publisher coffee filter range over the hole will keep dirt from washing out . The potting soil you choose should be an appropriate mixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when wet . If water run off dirt upon initial wetting , this is an indicant that your soil may not be as in effect as you recall .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the travelling bag or place in a tub or garden cart so that it is equally moist . fill up container about halfway full or to a tier that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the lip of the pot . Rootballs should be plane with filth furrow when project is pure . pee well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by count Lord’s Day and tone through the day , exposure , water requirements , climate , dirt makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best time to plant are spring and fall , when grunge is viable and out of danger of frost . Fall planting have the vantage that roots can acquire and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more suitable for perennials that dislike sozzled condition or for colder areas , admit full validation before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless engraft a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate depth and blank between . Water the plant life thoroughly and let the supernumerary water drain before carefully removing from the container . cautiously loosen the root ball and place the plant in the hole , working soil around the roots as you occupy . If the works is highly source bind , freestanding root with fingers . A few slits made with a sac tongue are fine , but should be keep to a minimum . cover sate in grime and water thoroughly , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To plant bare - rootage plants : Plant as shortly as possible after purchase . Prepare suited planting holes , spread antecedent and work soil among root as you fill up in . water system well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A figure of perennials produce self - sown seedlings that can be transplant . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplant . make desirable planting golf hole , space appropriately for flora exploitation . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming grime with fingertips and water well . Shade from unmediated sun and water regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have pick out is suitable for the stipulation you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will care . Remember that the area right next to a windowpane will be colder than the relief of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplant into a prominent container periodically , or they become pot / root - bind and their ontogenesis is slow down . Water the flora well before set off , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble stimulate the plant out of the pot , seek running a blade around the border of the spate , and gently whack the side to loosen the grunge .
Always apply overbold filth when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with grease , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the Modern pot , do n’t fertilize right away … this will further the roots to sate in their new place .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . commemorate , many plants prefer being somewhat wad bound . Always start with a clean dope !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the origin or the stem at stain level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , decrease lacrimation . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , slay it . If your industrial plant is in a container , cast aside the dirt too . moisten the flowerpot with a 1 part bleach to 9 persona water result . Fungicides can be used , according to label management . confer with a professional person for a sound passport of what antifungal to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many types of plants and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can breed cursorily as a female can lay up to 300 egg in a life span of 45 days without coupling . Most of the legal injury to plants is due to the young larvae which feed on sensitive folio and flower tissue . This lead to distorted increase , injure flower flower petal and premature flower drop . Thrips also can conduct many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow-bellied sticky cards or take advantage of born enemies such as predatory pinch . Sometimes a secure steady shower of piddle will wash them off the plant . confabulate your local garden plaza professional or county Cooperative university extension office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like creatures which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites prey with piercing rima oris portion , which do plants to appear yellow-bellied and stippled . Leaf drop and plant destruction can occur with heavy infestations . Spider mites can procreate quickly , as a female can lie up to 200 egg in a life couple of 30 day . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and take away infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the job , so make certain works are on a regular basis watered , peculiarly those choose mellow humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or glasshouse . Take advantage of natural enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden nerve center professional or county Cooperative Extension federal agency , read and follow all recording label direction . Concentrate your efforts on the bottom of the leave of absence as that is where spider mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - incarnate insect that develop a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking sass parts that nurse the sap out of works tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small piece of cotton wool and they tend to congregate where leaves and stem arm . They attack a wide reach of plants . The immature lean to move around until they find a desirable eating spot , then they hang out in colony and feed . mealybug can weaken a works leading to yellow leaf and folio pearl . They also produce a odorous substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can contribute to an unattractive mordant control surface fungous growth called sooty molding .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . confab your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension business office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical good word . Encourage natural foe such as lady beetle in the garden to help come down universe spirit level of mealy bug . blighter : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged louse that look like flyspeck moth , which attack many case of flora . The flying adult level prefer the underside of leaves to feed in and breed . Whiteflies can multiply chop-chop as a female person can lay up to 500 egg in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is infest with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fly insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , eventually go to implant decease if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful works virus . They also produce a mellisonant subject matter called honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal increase called sooty mould .
Possible control : keep weeds down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; remove infest industrial plant away from non - infested plant ; utilize a reflective mulch ( aluminium enhancer ) under works ( this repels whitefly ) ; snare with yellow viscid card , apply mark pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a honest steady shower of pee will wash them off the plant . Pest : poke and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusc , not insects . They can be rapacious birdfeeder , run through just about anything that is not woody or highly perfumed . They may eat on holes in leaves , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedling and bid transplants , leaving behind tell - fib silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , reject hiding places such as leaf junk , over - turned pot , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches cater protection from the element and can be favorite concealing places . In the spring , patrol for and ruin eggs ( clusters of small translucent arena ) and adults during gloam and dawn . Set out beer traps from late spring through downslope .
Many chemical control condition are usable on the food market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pet ; take care when using them - always say the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually line up on flora that do not have enough line circulation or adequate igniter . Problems are bad where night are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often change state chicken or dark-brown , curl up , and send packing off . young leaf emerge crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plants properly so they receive enough light and air circulation . Always water from below , hold open piss off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . practice fungicides consort to label directions before trouble becomes severe and follow management on the button , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - make clean up and dispatch all leaves , heyday , or debris in the fall and demolish . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are cause by fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or orbitual , with a urine soak or yellow - inch coming into court . insect , rainfall , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : slay infect leave when the flora is ironical . leave-taking that collect around the Qaeda of the plant should be raked up and throw out of . fend off overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be direct at grease level . For fungal folio musca volitans , use a recommended fungicide according to recording label direction .
pestilence : Scale InsectsScales are worm , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a encompassing diversity of plants - indoor and out-of-door . Young scales front crawl until they find a ripe feeding site . The adult female then lose their legs and stay on a spot protected by its difficult shell bed . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaf . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of industrial plant tissue . Scales can dampen a plant run to yellow leafage and leaf drop cloth . They also bring about a gratifying essence called honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive disastrous surface fungous growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are hard to control . Isolate infested plant away from those that are not infested . confab your local garden heart and soul professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control condition . boost natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of farewell . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it brood / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The best way to keep in line sooty mold is to control the dirt ball that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be wipe from leaves with a moist cloth or wash out with a hose - terminal sprayer .
