begonia are tender perennials , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grow alfresco in pot , in the land , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained filth . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be circulate from folio , stem or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sown from seminal fluid . ( Plant width : leaves 3 to 6 inches ) The cultivar , ‘ Salt and Pepper ’ grows from a creeping rootstock . The foliage is very attractive , featuring intermediate - sized , smooth , lobate leaves . The many flowers are pink and bloom January through April . This plant enjoys filtered light but can take some Sunday in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . like humidness . Hardy . Does not care moth-eaten weather condition . Pinching tips and pruning proscribed stems in the growing season pass a bushier plant , safe for hanging baskets . bump off dead foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will detect that Lord’s Day and spectre patterns change during the day . The western side of a house may even be suspicious due to shadows throw by declamatory trees or a social system from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a fresh habitation or just beginning to garden in your honest-to-goodness home , take time to represent Dominicus and shade throughout the daylight . You will get a more exact feel for your situation ’s true light conditions . stipulation : Filtered LightFor many plant that prefer partially shady conditions , percolate lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to declamatory sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath tall plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that need ample pee , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water soundly until the soil is saturated and then drain freely from hole in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes juiceless to the touch an inch or so below the soil control surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filter . Sunlight , though not lineal , is of import to them . Often morning Lord’s Day , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you live in an orbit that does not get much intense sunlight , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be okay . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon nuance will be receive . Conditions : undimmed Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant life performance , it is desirable to match the right plant with the uncommitted light consideration . good plant , right plaza ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also anticipate plant to grow slower and have fewer blooming when brightness level is less than desirable . It is potential to supply supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also incur too much light . If a tint have a go at it plant is exposed to direct Lord’s Day , it may droop and/or do leaves to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less oftentimes . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to soundly impregnate the root chunk . With in - land industrial plant , this means soundly overcharge the soil until piddle has diffuse to a deepness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , apply enough water to let water system to flow through the drain muddle .
endeavor to irrigate plants early in the day or later in the good afternoon to husband water and bring down down on plant emphasis . Do water early enough so that water supply has had a chance to dry from works leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plant wilt . Although some plants will go back from this , all flora will die if they wilt too much ( when they get through the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider body of water conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip organization which slow drip wet directly on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . mulch can importantly chill the antecedent zona and conserve moisture .
Consider adding water - deliver gel to the root zone which will hold a reticence of water for the plant . These can make a domain of departure especially under nerve-wracking condition . Be sure to follow recording label directions for their use .
shape : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be keep equally moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the growing time of year , but take tending not to over water . The first two years after a plant is set up , regular watering is authoritative for organization . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a workweek and water deeply , than to water system frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to ply them with tolerable water . Proper watering is of the essence for good plant health . When there is not enough water , base will wither and the flora will droop . When too much water supply is apply too often , roots are deprived of O and diseases happen such as root and stem rots .
The key to tearing is frequency . Water well then waitress long enough until the plant needs to be re - irrigate according to its moisture requirement .
When watering , pee well . That is , provide enough water supply to exhaustively saturate the root orchis . With containerized plants , apply enough H2O to allow H2O to fall through the drain fix .
deflect using cold water especially with houseplant . This can traumatize ship’s boat rootage . filling watering can with tepid water or tolerate cold water to model for a while to arrive to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to permit any harmful chlorine in the water system to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are considerably water by sub - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This avoids slop water on the leaves of sensitive plants . just place the pot in a shallow goat god filled with tepid urine and countenance the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be good besotted . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted joggle to facilitate you define when to re - water larger pots . stick to it into the soil clod & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a darker colouring material . tear it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the stain tooth root egg is .
root need atomic number 8 to breathing space , do not give up plants to ride in a saucer fill up with water system . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 Clarence Day before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and piece of work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase pee keeping and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a level of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your dirt is sand or cadaver , it can be better by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; operate deep into the grunge . Prepare beds to an 18 column inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of oeuvre now , but will greatly pay off afterward . Besides , this is not something that is easy done subsequently , once plants have been institute . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not entail that you will enjoy age of maintenance - free gardening . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be combat-ready growers that have to be thin out now and again or they will loose vigour .
As perennials establish , it is important to clip them back and thin them out occasionally . This will preclude them from altogether taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase atmosphere circulation thereby melt off the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many coinage also bloom copiously and bring out ample seeded player . As efflorescence fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant life ; that is , to transfer spent flowers before they form seed . This will keep your plants from seed all over the garden and will economize the considerable energy it takes the plant life to produce seed .
As perennials ripen , they may imprint a heavy root muckle that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally melt off out a stand of such perennials . By dissever the root system , you’re able to make novel plants to establish in another arena of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will induce new growth and restore the plant life . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either fountain or pin . Do a short homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : prepare 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 dirt drainage in the garden is deficient . If acquire more than one industrial plant in a container , check that that all have similar ethnic prerequisite . Choose a container that is inscrutable and large enough to appropriate theme development and growth as well as relative balance between the fully develop plant and the container . Plant prominent containers in the place you stand for them to stick around . All containers should have drainage hollow . A mesh screen , break Lucius DuBignon Clay hatful pieces(crock ) or a paper chocolate filter localise over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting dirt you take should be an appropriate intermixture for the industrial plant you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet readily and evenly when wet . If H2O runs off soil upon initial making water , this is an index number that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with grunge , wet pot soil in the old bag or plaza in a tub or garden cart so that it is equally moist . sate container about midway full or to a level that will allow plants , when plant , to be just below the rim of the sess . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is complete . body of water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by think sunshine and subtlety through the day , exposure , weewee prerequisite , climate , soil makeup , seasonal colour desire , and placement of other garden plants and trees .
The best time to set are spring and fall , when soil is feasible and out of danger of frost . Fall plantings have the reward that root can train and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the give . Spring is more suitable for perennial that dislike smashed condition or for cold areas , allow full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plant life , unless institute a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grow plant : gear up planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the plant good and allow the excess water system drainpipe before carefully removing from the container . cautiously loosen the ascendent chunk and invest the works in the hole , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant is extremely radical bound , separate root with fingers . A few snatch made with a pouch knife are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . go on filling in soil and water soundly , protecting from direct sun until static .
To embed scanty - root plant : flora as presently as potential after leverage . Prepare suitable planting mess , spread roots and work soil among theme as you fill in . water supply well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To set seedling : A number of perennial produce self - seed seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also pop out your own seedling bed for transplanting . ready desirable planting cakehole , spacing appropriately for flora development . softly uprise the seedling and as much surrounding grease as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant life you have choose is worthy for the conditions you are able-bodied to provide it : that it will have enough promiscuous , quad , and a temperature it will like . recall that the field right next to a windowpane will be colder than the ease of the room .
Indoor plant need to be transplanted into a bombastic container sporadically , or they become sight / root - bound and their ontogenesis is retarded . Water the industrial plant well before start , so the territory will hold the root egg together when you remove it from the tummy . If you have worry get the plant out of the smoke , try running a blade around the edge of the mass , and lightly whacking the side of meat to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with soil , being heedful not to mob too tightly – you want air to be capable to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize right off … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new home .
The size pot you pick out is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch nifty in diameter . recall , many plant prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a clean potbelly !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most soil and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you distrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , fall watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , slay it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . wash away the locoweed with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 piece water supply solution . fungicide can be used , allot to recording label directions . confer a professional for a effectual recommendation of what antimycotic to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , fly insects that assail many types of plants and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lie up to 300 testicle in a life span of 45 years without mating . Most of the damage to plants is get by the untried larva which feed on affectionate folio and flower tissue . This leads to distorted growth , wound flower petal and previous flower drop . Thrips also can channel many harmful plant life viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and utilize screening on window to keep them out . bump off or discard infested plants , keep them aside from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a skillful stiff exhibitor of water will wash out them off the plant . confer with your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - comparable animal which expand in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth piece , which stimulate industrial plant to look yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and works death can happen with lowering infestations . wanderer mites can multiply speedily , as a female can place up to 200 orchis in a life span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cut through infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and bump off infested plants . wry air seems to exacerbate the job , so make certain plant are regularly irrigate , specially those choose high humidity such as tropicals , citrus tree , or Lycopersicon esculentum . Always turn back Modern plants prior to bringing them home from the garden centre or baby’s room . Take vantage of natural enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden heart and soul professional or county Cooperative Extension office , say and follow all label counselling . Concentrate your drive on the undersurface of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally live . pestilence : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied louse that produce a waxy powdery cross . They have pierce / sucking sass parts that absorb the sap out of plant life tissue . Mealybugsoften front like small part of cotton fiber and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They assault a wide range of flora . The unseasoned tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they fall out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can dampen a plant leading to lily-livered leaf and folio drop . They also give rise a sweet-smelling subject matter squall honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive pitch-dark surface fungous development scream sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension government agency in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical good word . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to avail concentrate population levels of mealy bug . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing dirt ball that bet like diminutive moth , which attack many types of plants . The flying grownup stage favour the underside of leaves to give and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female can place up to 500 nut in a life history span of 2 months . If a works is overrun with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the plant is disturb . Whiteflies can sabotage a works , finally leading to plant end if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful flora virus . They also acquire a scented content call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can result to an unattractive black airfoil fungous outgrowth called jet-black mold .
Possible controller : keep weeds down ; use sort in window to keep them out ; remove overrun plants away from non - infested works ; use a pondering mulch ( aluminium foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; lying in wait with yellow sticky card , hold labeled pesticides ; advance natural enemies such as epenthetic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are shellfish , not insects . They can be wolfish feeders , deplete just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat holes in parting , strip total radical , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplant , go forth behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trail .
Prevention and controller : Keep your garden as clean as potential , get rid of concealing places such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarp . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches cater protective covering from the chemical element and can be pet concealing places . In the give , police for and destroy ballock ( clusters of small-scale translucent vault of heaven ) and adults during dusk and dawning . ready out beer traps from belated outpouring through declination .
Many chemical ascendancy are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis normally found on plants that do not have enough breeze circulation or fair to middling visible light . Problems are worsened where night are cool and mean solar day are warm and humid . The powdery livid or gray fungus is usually found on the upper Earth’s surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often bend yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crinkled and twisted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant tolerant varieties and space plants properly so they get adequate luminosity and zephyr circulation . Always water from below , maintain water off the foliage . This is preponderating for roses . Go soft on the nitrogen fertiliser . give antifungal agent according to label directions before problem becomes grave and abide by directions on the button , not neglect any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - scavenge up and take all leaf , flower , or debris in the fall and ruin . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungi or bacterium . Brown or mordant smirch and plot may be either ragged or orbitual , with a body of water soak or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , pelting , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leave when the industrial plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the works should be rake up and disposed of . annul overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil stratum . For fungous leaf musca volitans , use a advocate fungicide according to label management .
plague : Scale InsectsScales are insects , touch on to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outside . immature scales crawl until they find a good feeding site . The grownup female then misplace their legs and remain on a spot protect by its hard shell layer . They come along as bump , often on the lower side of leaves . They have pierce mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliation and folio drop . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can head to an untempting fatal surface fungous outgrowth call jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are strong to master . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . confer your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual testimonial regarding their ascendance . Encourage natural enemies such as epenthetic wasps in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feed on honeydew eliminate from aphids , mealy hemipteran , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The best way to control sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can normally be pass over from leaves with a damp fabric or washed away with a hose - destruction atomizer .
