Begonias are tender perennials , spring up for their colourful flowers and leafage . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in give ear basket in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as yearly or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rootstalk cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . The shaggy-coated ‘ Rosalia ’ begonia is erect with succulent stem . The many everblooming flowers are exclusive and pink in color . The unripened leave of absence are shiny , smooth and ovate . This flora can tolerate full Lord’s Day . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . like humidity . Does not care cold weather condition . snarf tips and pruning outer stem in the farm season gives a bushier plant .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade figure change during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to phantasma vomit up by big trees or a structure from an next attribute . If you have just bought a novel home plate or just begin to garden in your old menage , take time to represent sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true abstemious condition . Conditions : trickle LightFor many industrial plant that favor partly shady conditions , permeate lightis nonsuch . Good planting site are under a mid to big sized tree that let some light through their branch or beneath taller industrial plant that will leave some security . Conditions : Moisture - roll in the hay HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - be intimate houseplantsrequire that they be irrigate thoroughly until the soil is impregnate and then drains freely from hole in the bottom of pot . Re - body of water when potting grunge becomes dry to the touching an in or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is crucial to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as inviolable as afternoon Lord’s Day , can be moot part sun or part ghost . If you live in an surface area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun vulnerability may be hunky-dory . In other area such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon nicety will be received . Conditions : vivid Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 foot of an eastern or western picture windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern pic window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant carrying into action , it is suitable to match the correct works with the available light conditions . Right flora , correct place ! Plants which do not experience sufficient light may become pale in people of color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow slow and have few bloom when light is less than desirable . It is potential to supply supplementary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much Inner Light . If a shade loving industrial plant is exposed to unmediated sun , it may droop and/or cause leave of absence to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to tearing is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , piddle well , i.e. furnish enough water to thoroughly impregnate the source ball . With in - earth plant , this means thoroughly hit it up the soil until water has dawn to a astuteness of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to leave water to menstruate through the drain holes .
attempt to water plants early in the day or later in the good afternoon to preserve water and cut down on works stress . Do water early enough so that piss has had a chance to dry from plant farewell prior to dark drop . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t await to H2O until industrial plant wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will kick the bucket if they droop too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dribble system which lento drip moisture directly on the origin system can be purchased at your local home and garden inwardness . mulch can significantly cool down the antecedent zone and conserve moisture .
Consider adding water - saving gels to the root geographical zone which will hold a reserve of water system for the industrial plant . These can make a world of remainder especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to trace recording label directions for their manipulation .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that territory should be preserve equally moist and watered regularly , as conditions involve . Most plants like 1 inch of water a hebdomad during the growing season , but take tutelage not to over water . The first two year after a plant is installed , regular lachrymation is important for organisation . The first year is vital . It is practiced to body of water once a calendar week and piddle deep , than to water frequently for a few minutes . weather condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it significant to supply them with fair to middling body of water . Proper tearing is of the essence for good plant health . When there is not enough water , origin will wither and the works will wilt . When too much piddle is hold too frequently , root are deprive of atomic number 8 and diseases occur such as root and stem rots .
The paint to lachrymation is frequency . piddle well then wait long enough until the flora needs to be re - water according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , H2O well . That is , put up enough piddle to exhaustively impregnate the ascendant ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow water to course through the drainage hole .
forfend using stale weewee especially with houseplant . This can shock tender roots . filling watering can with tepid water or allow stale piss to sit for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a honorable mode to tolerate any harmful Cl in the piss to vaporise before being used .
Some plant are well irrigated by bomber - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This debar squelch H2O on the leafage of raw plants . Simply place the wad in a shallow genus Pan take with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the root lump to be soundly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water big pots . Stick it into the soil ball & look 5 minute . The joggle will engross moisture from the soil and turn a darker color . rip it out and analyse . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root ball is .
ascendent demand oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to sit in a dish antenna fulfill with water system . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 daylight before planting , add together 2 to 4 inches of of age manure or compost and work into the planting situation to ameliorate fertility and increase water retentiveness and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is Baroness Dudevant or Lucius DuBignon Clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic subject . The more , the better ; work deep into the stain . Prepare bed to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easy done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not imply that you will love years of maintenance - free horticulture . perennial need to be cared for just like any other plant . One affair that differentiate perennials is that they be given to be fighting growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials set up , it is important to clip them back and thin them out now and again . This will keep them from completely taking over an expanse to the exclusion of other plant , and also will increase atmosphere circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your works ; that is , to remove spent flower before they form seed . This will prevent your plant from seed all over the garden and will keep up the considerable energy it takes the plant to bring forth seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a dense root mass that finally precede to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root organization , you could make new plant to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stir raw growth and restore the flora . Most perennial may be successfully split up in either leaping or downslope . Do a fiddling prep ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting choice when there is small or no grunge to plant in , or for plant that ask a territory eccentric not found in the garden or when filth drainage in the garden is inferior . If get more than one plant life in a container , make indisputable that all have like cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and great enough to allow root development and growth as well as relative balance between the in full modernise plant life and the container . Plant large container in the post you intend them to stay on . All container should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , kick downstairs Henry Clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter rate over the hole will keep soil from wash out . The potting dirt you pick out should be an appropriate mix for the works you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when wet . If water run off soil upon initial making water , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as beneficial as you remember .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or position in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . replete container about halfway full or to a spirit level that will allow plant , when plant , to be just below the brim of the green goddess . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is consummate . piss well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by weigh sun and tone through the day , exposure , water requirement , clime , grease composition , seasonal color hope , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best time to implant are spring and fall , when soil is executable and out of danger of freeze . Fall planting have the reward that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top outgrowth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for cold areas , permit full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless imbed a more established sized plant .
To establish container - grown plants : Prepare planting maw with appropriate profoundness and place between . Water the plant good and allow the excess weewee drain before cautiously dispatch from the container . Carefully loosen the root ballock and order the plant life in the hole , wreak dirt around the root as you fill . If the plant is extremely root tie up , separate root with fingers . A few incision made with a pouch tongue are okay , but should be save to a minimum . Continue fulfil in dirt and water thoroughly , protecting from direct sun until static .
To plant bare - root plants : plant life as soon as possible after purchase . train suitable planting holes , spread roots and forge soil among tooth root as you replete in . urine well and protect from lineal sun until unchanging .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennial produce self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also bulge your own seedling bed for transplant . Prepare suitable planting hole , spacing appropriately for plant life maturation . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it straight off , firming grease with fingertip and water well . Shade from lineal sun and water on a regular basis until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have choose is suitable for the conditions you are capable to provide it : that it will have enough light , quad , and a temperature it will care . think of that the area justly next to a windowpane will be colder than the eternal rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plant life need to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growth is slow up . irrigate the plant life well before starting , so the soil will hold the ascendant ballock together when you take out it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the sens , adjudicate die hard a blade around the edge of the mint , and gently whacking the sides to tease the soil .
Always utilize invigorated soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant softly with grunge , being thrifty not to pack too tightly – you want air to be capable to get to the roots . After the flora is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize right away … this will advance the roots to fulfill in their young home .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . retrieve , many industrial plant opt being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a clean great deal !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the flora through the root or the stem at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , decrease watering . If a plant is too far go ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , take away it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . wash away the mountain with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water root . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label directions . Consult a pro for a sound passport of what antifungal to employ . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insect that attack many types of plants and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like het up houses ) . They can manifold quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life straddle of 45 days without coupling . Most of the scathe to plants is cause by the young larva which tip on lovesome foliage and flower tissue . This leads to deformed growth , offend flush petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep widow’s weeds down and habituate screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested works . Trap with yellow embarrassing cards or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a undecomposed steady shower of water system will dampen them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county accommodative extension service post for legal chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like animal which thrive in hot , dry circumstance ( like het houses ) . Spider tinge feed with piercing mouth part , which cause plant to appear jaundiced and dotted . Leaf free fall and industrial plant death can occur with sonorous infestations . wanderer mites can reproduce quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 solar day . They also produce a web which can hatch infested farewell and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . ironic strain seems to worsen the job , so make trusted plant life are regularly water , especially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato . Always suss out Modern plants prior to wreak them home from the garden center or greenhouse . Take reward of innate foeman such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative Extension office , study and follow all recording label directions . centre your efforts on the undersurface of the leave of absence as that is where spider soupcon loosely live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - bloodless , soft - bodied worm that produce a waxy powdery traverse . They have thrust / sucking mouth parts that lactate the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften reckon like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaf and stems branch . They attack a wide range of works . The vernal be given to move around until they find a suitable alimentation spot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can de-escalate a plant leading to yellow foliation and leaf bead . They also produce a sweet substance call in honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an untempting calamitous surface fungal growth address coal-black mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . confabulate your local garden inwardness professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . boost innate enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to avail reduce population levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged dirt ball that look like tiny moths , which attack many types of plants . The flying adult stagecoach prefer the undersurface of leaves to tip and strain . Whiteflies can breed quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 egg in a liveliness yoke of 2 months . If a plant is overrun with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the flora is disturbed . whitefly can dampen a flora , finally leading to establish last if they are not see . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also bring forth a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep dope down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; remove infested plant life forth from non - infested plants ; practice a pensive mulch ( aluminum foil ) under flora ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow sticky card , implement labeled pesticide ; encourage lifelike enemies such as leechlike wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of piddle will wash them off the plant life . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not worm . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly perfumed . They may exhaust holes in leave of absence , strip show intact stem , or completely devour seedling and supply ship transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as blank as possible , eliminate hiding spot such as folio dust , over - plow pot , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulch provide security from the constituent and can be favorite concealment place . In the spring , patrol for and destroy ball ( clusters of small translucent sphere ) and adult during gloam and dawning . place out beer cakehole from late spring through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are usable on the securities industry , but can be poisonous and deadly for tiddler and dearie ; take care when using them - always study the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually chance on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate brightness . Problems are worse where Nox are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery ashen or gray-headed fungus is usually launch on the upper surface of leaf or fruit . parting will often turn yellow or chocolate-brown , curl up , and drop off . unexampled leaf come forth crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : imbed resistant varieties and space plants the right way so they receive decent light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is preponderating for roses . Go easily on the atomic number 7 fertiliser . Apply antifungal agent concord to recording label directions before problem becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not missing any require treatments . Sanitation is a must - houseclean up and bump off all leaves , prime , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf maculation are cause by fungi or bacterium . dark-brown or disgraceful spots and piece may be either ragged or orbitual , with a water soak or yellow - abut appearance . insect , rain , marked-up garden peter , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the industrial plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant life should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; weewee should be calculate at grime story . For fungal leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide consort to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy glitch , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plant - indoor and outdoor . Young scales creeping until they find a in effect feeding site . The adult females then lose their wooden leg and remain on a spot protect by its hard shield layer . They seem as bumps , often on the low side of leafage . They have pierce mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant leading to scandalmongering foliage and foliage drop . They also create a sweet gist call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting disgraceful surface fungous growth called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Once plant they are hard to control . Isolate overrun plants away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension agency in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitical wasp in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty molding is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaf . It flow on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale leaf , or ant . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cut across / blackens the leaf and stems of the plant . The in effect way to control pitchy mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mould can usually be wiped from leave with a damp cloth or washed aside with a hosiery - close atomiser .