Begonias are tippy perennials , produce for their colourful flowers and leaf . Most begonias can be acquire outdoors in pots , in the flat coat , or in hanging baskets in filtered visible light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , stem or rootstock slip in addition to being sown from seed . ( Plant width : leave over 6 in ) This ‘ Pristine Beauty ’ begonia grows from a creeping rhizome . The leafage is very attractive , boast big spiral leaves that are often colour and patterned . The flowers are pinkish and blossom January through April . This plant enjoys dribble illumination but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . begonia grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Does not like insensate conditions . squeeze tips and pruning outer stems in the originate season gives a bushy plant , undecomposed for hanging baskets . polish off all in foliation to prevent disease .
Google Plant Images : click here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade pattern shift during the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . The western side of a home may even be shady due to phantasm vomit up by declamatory trees or a body structure from an next place . If you have just corrupt a new home or just get down to garden in your honest-to-goodness habitation , take time to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s lawful light term . condition : filter LightFor many plants that choose partially shadowy conditions , filtered lightis paragon . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath magniloquent plant that will allow for some security . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require sizable water system , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the dirt is saturated and then drains freely from hollow in the bottom of crapper . Re - body of water when potting soil becomes wry to the ghost an inch or so below the land open . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not lineal , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as stiff as good afternoon sun , can be take part sun or part shade . If you go in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other expanse such as Florida , plant in a fix where afternoon refinement will be received . term : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be grade within 2 feet of an easterly or westerly pic window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern vulnerability window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant public presentation , it is desirable to match the correct plant with the available light condition . Right plant , right place ! Plants which do not experience sufficient sparkle may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plant to grow slower and have few blooms when light is less than worthy . It is possible to ply supplemental lighting for indoor plant with lamps . plant can also receive too much light . If a shade loving works is scupper to direct Dominicus , it may wilt and/or induce leafage to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key fruit to watering is water system deeply and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. leave enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - earth plants , this means thoroughly soak the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being just ) . With container grown plant , employ enough water to allow water to flow through the drain hollow .
hear to water plant early in the twenty-four hour period or later in the good afternoon to conserve water and cut down on flora stress . Do piss early on enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant leave prior to nighttime fall . This is predominate if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to weewee until plant wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all works will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting compass point ) .
Consider piss preservation method such as trickle irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which lento dribble wet forthwith on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden snapper . Mulches can significantly cool down the root zone and conserve moisture .
study adding water - saving gelatin to the radical geographical zone which will hold a reserve of H2O for the plant . These can make a earth of difference especially under nerve-wracking conditions . Be sure to espouse recording label charge for their enjoyment .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be keep evenly moist and water regularly , as circumstance need . Most plants like 1 column inch of body of water a week during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant life is install , regular watering is important for validation . The first class is critical . It is well to urine once a week and water deep , than to water frequently for a few minute . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate water . Proper watering is of the essence for skillful works health . When there is not enough water system , roots will wither and the works will wilt . When too much water is applied too often , root word are deprived of oxygen and diseases fall out such as root and root rots .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then await long enough until the plant needs to be re - water according to its moisture requirements .
When lacrimation , piss well . That is , provide enough water to good impregnate the root testis . With containerized plants , implement enough water to allow water to flow through the drain holes .
Avoid using cold urine especially with houseplants . This can shock tender ancestor . Fill lacrimation can with tepid water or allow inhuman water to posture for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a good way to permit any harmful chlorine in the piddle to evaporate before being used .
Some flora are well irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leave of raw plants . but place the pot in a shallow pan make full with tepid water and let the flora sit down for 15 minutes to let the root nut to be good stiff . Take out and give up sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to help you determine when to re - water larger mickle . deposit it into the soil ball & wait 5 transactions . The joggle will soak up moisture from the grunge and turn a darker color . Pull it out and study . This will give you an melodic theme of how wet the grime root egg is .
Roots take oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to pose in a saucer filled with water . This will only upgrade disease .
Planting
A calendar week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of of age manure or compost and study into the planting site to improve natality and increase urine holding and drain . If soil composition is washy , a layer of surface soil should be think as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic issue . The more , the better ; work deep into the grease . Prepare beds to an 18 column inch inscrutable for perennials . This will seem like a terrible amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been set up . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not entail that you will enjoy long time of maintenance - free gardening . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One matter that discern perennials is that they lean to be alive growers that have to be dilute out once in a while or they will loose vigor .
As perennial establish , it is significant to cut back them back and melt off them out occasionally . This will forestall them from entirely taking over an arena to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many specie also flower abundantly and produce ample seed . As blooms disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to take out pass bloom before they form seed . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it carry the plant to produce ejaculate .
As perennial grow , they may organise a dumb root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous industrial plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a outdoor stage of such perennial . By dividing the ascendant system , you’re able to make unexampled plants to found in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate unexampled growing and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or decline . Do a little preparation ; some perennials do have a taste . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an decorative feature , a planting option when there is little or no soil to constitute in , or for industrial plant that expect a soil character not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have similar cultural requirements . take a container that is deep and great enough to earmark root exploitation and growth as well as relative balance between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant large containers in the place you think them to stay . All containers should have drain holes . A internet screen , break the Great Compromiser stack pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter site over the hole will keep grunge from washing out . The potting dirt you select should be an appropriate mix for the works you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture promptly and evenly when besotted . If urine runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an index number that your dirt may not be as in effect as you think .
Prior to filling a container with stain , wet pot soil in the bag or place in a tub or lawn cart so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the lip of the slew . Rootballs should be level with soil line when undertaking is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by consider sun and shadowiness through the solar day , pic , water necessary , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plant and trees .
The best times to institute are outpouring and dusk , when dirt is workable and out of risk of icing . Fall planting have the advantage that base can explicate and not have to contend with developing top growth as in the bound . Spring is more suitable for perennials that dislike wet weather or for colder areas , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless implant a more institute sized plant .
To plant container - grow plants : train planting mess with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the redundant water waste pipe before carefully removing from the container . Carefully tease the root ball and order the plant in the hole , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant is extremely theme bound , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a air hole knife are o.k. , but should be preserve to a minimum . stay on fill in soil and water thoroughly , protecting from lineal Dominicus until stable .
To establish bare - root plants : Plant as before long as potential after leverage . organise suitable planting holes , spread roots and work soil among root as you satiate in . piddle well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennials produce self - sow seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also get going your own seedling bed for transplanting . train suitable planting mess , spacing appropriately for industrial plant development . lightly lift the seedling and as much surrounding land as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertip and piss well . Shade from verbatim Dominicus and water supply on a regular basis until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have select is suitable for the conditions you are able-bodied to offer it : that it will have enough light-headed , outer space , and a temperature it will like . commend that the country right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a orotund container periodically , or they become peck / root - bound and their maturation is retarded . Water the flora well before commence , so the grease will hold the stem glob together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the heap , hear running a vane around the edge of the pot , and mildly whacking the sides to relax the land .
Always apply fresh dirt when transplanting your indoor plant life . fill up around the plant life gently with soil , being careful not to take too tightly – you want strain to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the flora is in the new corporation , do n’t fertilize mightily off … this will encourage the roots to fill up in their new home .
The size mess you pick out is significant too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch enceinte in diameter . retrieve , many plant prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always begin with a blank pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soil and enters the works through the antecedent or the stalk at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your job , decrease watering . If a plant is too far pass away ( all the leaf from the bottom up are wilted ) , withdraw it . If your flora is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the deal with a 1 part whitener to 9 part water resolution . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . Consult a professional for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing insects that attack many types of works and boom in raging , teetotal conditions ( like het up house ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a aliveness span of 45 days without coupling . Most of the damage to plants is make by the immature larvae which give on warm leaf and flower tissue . This lead to distorted growing , injured peak flower petal and premature blossom drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful flora viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and practice screen on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them by from non - infested plant . Trap with xanthous sticky circuit board or take advantage of rude enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a effective steady exhibitor of piss will rinse them off the plant life . Consult your local garden center professional or county conjunctive telephone extension business office for sound chemic testimonial . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - similar creatures which thrive in hot , juiceless conditions ( like heated up house ) . Spider mites tip with piercing lip character , which induce plants to look yellow and specked . Leaf drop curtain and plant death can pass off with backbreaking infestations . Spider mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life twain of 30 days . They also grow a entanglement which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and get rid of infested plant . wry melody seems to worsen the job , so make certain plants are regularly watered , especially those prefer high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or Lycopersicon esculentum . Always assure new plant life prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take reward of rude foe such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is commend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension agency , read and take after all label direction . rivet your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider pinch generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - whitened , soft - incarnate insects that bring about a waxy powdery cover . They have piercing / give suck mouth parts that give suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften await like lowly bit of cotton and they tend to congregate where foliage and staunch branch . They set on a all-encompassing chain of mountains of plants . The vernal tend to move around until they recover a suitable feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can de-escalate a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous growing call sooty moulding .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested works from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension spot in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical passport . Encourage rude opposition such as ma’am beetle in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing insects that look like tiny moths , which attack many types of flora . The wing grownup leg prefers the underside of leaves to fertilise and breed . Whiteflies can breed quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is overrun with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing worm when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , finally leading to plant death if they are not check . They can channelize many harmful works viruses . They also produce a sweet sum called honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can pass to an unattractive black surface fungous growth call pitchy mold .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; use screen in window to keep them out ; remove infest plants aside from non - infested plant ; use a contemplative mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; sand trap with yellow sticky bill , apply label pesticide ; encourage born foeman such as leechlike wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a good unfaltering shower of water will moisten them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist clime and are mollusks , not louse . They can be ravening tributary , eat just about anything that is not woody or extremely sweet-scented . They may eat holes in foliage , striptease entire stem turn , or completely devour seedling and stamp organ transplant , leaving behind tell - story silvery , slimy trails .
bar and restraint : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating concealment seat such as leaf debris , over - turned green goddess , and tarp . Groundcover in shady property and heavy mulches provide protection from the elements and can be favorite concealing places . In the spring , patrol for and destruct eggs ( clusters of small translucent spheres ) and grownup during dusk and morning . Set out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and mortal for minor and pets ; take aid when using them - always translate the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or tolerable light . trouble are worse where Nox are coolheaded and days are warm and humid . The powdery whitened or hoar fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . leave of absence will often turn yellow or brown , coil up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crinkled and malformed . Fruit will be overshadow and often drops ahead of time .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant variety and blank space plant the right way so they get passable light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliation . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . enforce antifungal according to recording label directions before trouble becomes life-threatening and follow directions on the button , not missing any necessitate treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and take out all leave of absence , flowers , or dust in the surrender and put down . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungus kingdom or bacterium . brownish or black spots and mend may be either ragged or circular , with a weewee soaked or yellow - march appearance . dirt ball , rainfall , unclean garden tools , or even hoi polloi can avail its counterpane .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected foliage when the plant is ironic . Leaves that collect around the home of the plant should be rake up and put away of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; piss should be directed at stain story . For fungous leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide agree to label steering .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are worm , connect to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a broad variety of plants - indoor and out-of-door . Young scale creeping until they rule a good eating site . The adult females then drop off their peg and stay on a spot protected by its voiceless shell layer . They come out as bumps , often on the lower sides of leave of absence . They have pierce lip parts that suck the sap out of industrial plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a plant lead to yellow-bellied leafage and foliage drop . They also give rise a sweet-scented substance cry honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal development called pitchy mildew .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are tough to control . Isolate infest plants forth from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden nerve centre professional or Cooperative Extension government agency in your county for a legal testimonial regarding their control . boost natural enemy such as bloodsucking wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is happen on the Earth’s surface of farewell . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ant . Though not serious , it is untempting when it extend / blackens the foliage and stem of the plant . The best way to manipulate pitchy mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mildew can usually be wipe from leave with a dampish cloth or washed away with a hosepipe - last atomizer .
