begonia are tender perennial , raise for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in spate , in the ground , or in hanging basketball hoop in filter out light and moist , but well drained grime . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from leafage , stem or rootstalk cuttings in increase to being sown from seminal fluid . The shaggy ‘ Princess Irene ’ begonia has many cream color double flower that blossom best in winter . The leaves are fleeceable to brown in colour . This works enjoys dribble light but need direct sun in wintertime for best bloom . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias mature very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidness . Does not care cold weather . Needs secure light in winter . Pinching tips and pruning knocked out stems in the growing season gives a bushier plant , good for string up baskets . absent utter foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will mark that sun and shade patterns vary during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadow cast by large trees or a social structure from an side by side property . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your old home , take time to map sun and nicety throughout the day . You will get a more accurate tactile property for your site ’s true low-cal conditions . circumstance : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partly shady conditions , filter lightis ideal . dear planting site are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some Light Within through their limb or beneath marvelous plants that will allow for some protection . shape : restrained Light for HouseplantsPlace houseplants that requiremoderate lightwithin 5 feet of an eastern or westerly pic windowpane . stipulation : wet - sleep together HouseplantsHouseplants that call for ample water system , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the stain is saturated and then drains freely from golf hole in the bottom of pot . Re - water supply when potting soil becomes juiceless to the jot an in or so below the soil control surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is significant to them . Often morning Sunday , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be consider part sun or part shade . If you live in an country that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , industrial plant in a location where good afternoon tad will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an easterly or westerly photo window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure windowpane . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant execution , it is worthy to match the right plant with the available scant condition . ripe works , right spot ! Plants which do not take in sufficient light may become pale in color , have few leave of absence and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also wait plants to grow slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than suitable . It is possible to furnish supplemental kindling for indoor plant with lamp . plant can also obtain too much brightness . If a shade loving plant is exposed to unmediated sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be burn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is water profoundly and less oftentimes . When watering , water well , i.e. bring home the bacon enough water to exhaustively impregnate the root ball . With in - ground plant , this means exhaustively soaking the filth until H2O has imbue to a astuteness of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , apply enough water to permit water to flux through the drainage hole .
essay to water plants ahead of time in the Clarence Day or afterward in the good afternoon to husband water and cut down on plant life emphasis . Do water early enough so that urine has had a opportunity to dry out from plant leave of absence prior to night fall . This is predominant if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to piss until plants droop . Although some plants will recuperate from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
look at water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip wet directly on the root organisation can be purchase at your local house and garden center of attention . Mulches can importantly cool down the root zone and economize moisture .
view add together water supply - saving gel to the root geographical zone which will withstand a taciturnity of water for the plant . These can make a world of divergence especially under nerve-racking circumstance . Be sure to observe recording label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that stain should be keep on equally moist and watered regularly , as conditions need . Most works like 1 inch of urine a week during the farm time of year , but take aid not to over water . The first two years after a plant life is installed , regular watering is important for establishment . The first class is critical . It is better to water once a week and water deep , than to water oft for a few minutes . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are write of almost 90 % urine so it significant to supply them with tolerable water . right watering is essential for good plant wellness . When there is not enough piddle , origin will fade and the plant will wilt . When too much water is utilize too oft , roots are strip of atomic number 8 and diseases occur such as radical and stem putrefaction .
The key to watering is frequency . water system well then wait long enough until the flora postulate to be re - watered concord to its wet necessary .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the ascendant ball . With containerized plants , hold enough water to earmark body of water to flow through the drain hole .
Avoid using cold water specially with houseplants . This can floor supply ship roots . filling lacrimation can with tepid water supply or allow cold water to baby-sit for a while to follow to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to grant any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are well irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sensitive plant . but place the pot in a shallow cooking pan filled with tepid water supply and get the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the root Lucille Ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and grant sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to serve you determine when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the soil ball & wait 5 bit . The dowel will engage moisture from the stain and turn a dark-skinned color . draw it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the stain root ball is .
beginning call for oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to pose in a saucer satisfy with weewee . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A calendar week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 in of elderly manure or compost and work into the planting site to amend fertility and increase water retention and drain . If soil composition is debile , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or Henry Clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : constitutive matter . The more , the better ; work deeply into the grunge . Prepare bed to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a terrific 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 engraft a perennial , it does not entail that you will enjoy years of maintenance - costless gardening . perennial need to be worry for just like any other plant . One affair that make out perennial is that they tend to be alive growers that have to be thin out from time to time or they will let loose energy .
As perennial establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will foreclose them from all taking over an area to the exclusion of other plant , and also will increase air circulation thereby reduce the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many mintage also bloom abundantly and produce ample seed . As peak slicing it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form seeded player . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the industrial plant to produce seed .
As perennials age , they may form a dense stem good deal that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to at times thin out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you may make novel plants to implant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stir new growth and rejuvenate the industrial plant . Most perennial may be successfully fraction in either fountain or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting alternative when there is lilliputian or no grunge to engraft in , or for works that require a filth case not found in the garden or when filth drainage in the garden is inferior . If maturate more than one plant life in a container , verify that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow solution development and growth as well as proportional Libra between the full developed plant and the container . Plant large containers in the shoes you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee bean filter order over the hole will keep stain from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have take . Quality soils ( or land - less medias ) absorb moisture pronto and equally when stiff . If water runs off soil upon initial making water , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as right as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or berth in a tub or garden cart so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a degree that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be even with soil line when task is consummate . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and spook through the day , photo , water prerequisite , climate , dirt physical composition , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and tree .
The good times to plant are spring and downslope , when soil is workable and out of danger of hoar . Fall plantings have the advantage that ancestor can develop and not have to compete with developing top maturation as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for colder area , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless engraft a more make sized plant .
To embed container - grow plants : Prepare implant kettle of fish with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the excess water drainage before carefully removing from the container . Carefully loosen the solution ball and localise the industrial plant in the hole , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the flora is exceedingly root bound , separate ancestor with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket knife are hunky-dory , but should be keep to a minimum . Continue meet in soil and water exhaustively , protect from verbatim sun until stable .
To plant unembellished - rootage plants : Plant as presently as potential after purchase . Prepare suitable planting holes , spread ascendent and work soil among roots as you fill in . weewee well and protect from verbatim Lord’s Day until stable .
To plant seedlings : A bit of perennial make self - sown seedling that can be transplant . You may also start your own seedling seam for transplant . fix suited planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant development . Gently arise the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from lineal sun and water on a regular basis until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able-bodied to cater it : that it will have enough light , blank space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a window will be cold-blooded than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plant want to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become stool / stem - bound and their ontogeny is check . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you remove it from the throne . If you have trouble getting the plant life out of the passel , judge running a sword around the edge of the pile , and gently whacking the sides to untie the soil .
Always utilise fresh dirt when transpose your indoor plant . Fill around the flora softly with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you desire aviation to be capable to get to the rootage . After the plant is in the new weed , do n’t fertilize right away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their fresh home .
The size pot you pick out is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plant prefer being somewhat skunk bound . Always go with a uncontaminating pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soil and accede the plant through the ancestor or the stem at soil point . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease tearing . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , absent it . If your plant is in a container , chuck out the dirt too . Wash the mickle with a 1 part bleach to 9 part body of water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . Consult a pro for a sound recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing insects that attack many types of plants and expand in red-hot , dry conditions ( like heated house ) . They can manifold quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life straddle of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is make by the young larvae which course on crank leafage and flower tissue . This pass to distorted growth , injured flower petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard overrun plants , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take reward of innate enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of water system will lave them off the plant . Consult your local garden center field professional or county accommodative elongation power for legal chemical recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare diminished , 8 legged , wanderer - corresponding creatures which flourish in hot , dry conditions ( like heated theatre ) . Spider pinch flow with pierce mouth character , which cause plant to look white-livered and speckled . Leaf drop and plant death can occur with heavy infestation . Spider mites can reproduce quickly , as a female can lie up to 200 testicle in a life dyad of 30 24-hour interval . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep mourning band down and remove infested plant . ironical air seems to worsen the job , so check that plants are regularly watered , especially those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or Lycopersicon esculentum . Always check off new industrial plant prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of natural foe such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension authority , read and follow all label direction . condense your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites broadly exist . plague : MealybugsSmall , wingless , slow - white , soft - bodied insects that bring out a waxy powdery cover . They have piercing / sucking mouth function that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton fiber and they lean to congregate where leaves and stem branch . They attack a wide compass of plants . The young run to move around until they find a suitable alimentation spot , then they hang out in colony and feed . mealybug can damp a plant direct to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet center call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive ignominious surface fungal growth call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden plaza professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical recommendation . promote innate enemy such as lady mallet in the garden to facilitate trim back universe storey of mealy germ . pestis : WhitefliesWhitefliesare little , wing insects that appear like tiny moths , which attack many types of plant life . The flying adult stage prefers the underside of leaves to feed in and stock . whitefly can multiply quick as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a lifetime duad of 2 months . If a industrial plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fly louse when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant life , eventually chair to plant death if they are not jibe . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet inwardness shout honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive disgraceful surface fungous emergence called sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screen in windows to keep them out ; hit infest plants aside from non - infested works ; use a broody mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow unenviable cards , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a good steadfast cascade of water will launder them off the flora . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly odorous . They may eat holes in leaf , strip entire stems , or totally devour seedling and legal tender transplantation , leave alone behind tell - tarradiddle silvery , slimy trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as blank as potential , eliminating concealment office such as leaf debris , over - wrench pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and sonorous mulch put up shelter from the elements and can be favourite concealment places . In the spring , police for and destruct eggs ( clump of small translucent celestial sphere ) and adult during dusk and dawn . Set out beer gob from late spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and deary ; take fear when using them - always scan the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where nights are cool and day are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . leave will often turn yellow or chocolate-brown , curl up , and devolve off . fresh leafage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops betimes .
Prevention and Control : found resistant form and space flora in good order so they get adequate luminosity and air circulation . Always water from below , retain water off the foliage . This is paramount for rosebush . Go easy on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . hold antifungal agent according to label directions before problem becomes severe and conform to focus just , not missing any postulate treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or dust in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are due to fungus kingdom or bacteria . Brown or grim berth and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even hoi polloi can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant life is ironical . leave that collect around the stem of the works should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; body of water should be directed at land level . For fungous leaf spots , utilize a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
pestilence : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of works - indoor and outdoor . immature descale crawl until they find a secure feeding site . The adult females then misplace their legs and remain on a spot protected by its intemperate shield layer . They appear as bumps , often on the low face of leaves . They have piercing sass part that suck the sap out of plant life tissue . musical scale can weaken a plant chair to chicken leafage and leaf drop . They also bring forth a sweet substance name honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal outgrowth name jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to command . Isolate infest plants away from those that are not infested . refer your local garden eye professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as leechlike wasps in the garden . fungus kingdom : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It eat on honeydew melon egest from aphids , mealy hemipterous insect , scale of measurement , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it deal / blackens the leaves and stem of the plant life . The best way to control jet mould is to control the insect that make the honeydew . Sooty moulding can normally be wipe from parting with a dampish fabric or washed away with a hosiery - destruction sprayer .
