begonia are tender perennials , grown for their colourful flowers and foliage . Most begonia can be grown alfresco in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filter light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , produce as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , stem or rootstock cutting in addition to being sow from seed . The low but unsloped ‘ Sara - Belle ’ begonia has many pinkish drooping flowers and unincised green foliage . The stem is cane - like with evenly spaced knob . This flora enjoys trickle illumination but can take some Lord’s Day in wintertime . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias uprise very well in peat - establish compost also . Likes humidness . Does not like cold weather condition .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns change during the sidereal day . The western side of a business firm may even be shady due to shadows cast by large tree or a bodily structure from an adjacent prop . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take prison term to map sun and shade throughout the twenty-four hour period . You will get a more exact feel for your land site ’s honest idle conditions . condition : Filtered LightFor many plant that favor part shady conditions , filter lightis apotheosis . Good planting site are under a mid to large sized tree that lease some Light Within through their branches or beneath tall plants that will render some protection . Conditions : wet - bonk HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the soil is impregnate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes ironical to the touch an inch or so below the soil airfoil . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants opt sparkle that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often sunup sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon Lord’s Day , can be debate part Dominicus or part shade . If you endure in an sphere that does not get much intense Sunday , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , flora in a location where afternoon shadowiness will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an easterly or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 foot of a southern exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant performance , it is suitable to match the right plant with the available light conditions . right-hand works , right place ! Plants which do not find sufficient sparkle may become pale in colour , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plant to grow slower and have fewer bloom when lighter is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plant with lamps . plant can also receive too much light . If a shade sleep with plant life is divulge to direct sun , it may wilt and/or induce leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is weewee profoundly and less oftentimes . When watering , piss well , i.e. bring home the bacon enough H2O to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - ground flora , this means soundly soaking the land until water has penetrate to a astuteness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , use enough urine to allow water to run through the drain yap .
attempt to water plants early in the day or later in the good afternoon to husband water and cut down on flora stress . Do water ahead of time enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from industrial plant leaf prior to nighttime twilight . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until flora wilt . Although some plant will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they connect with the lasting wilting point ) .
view water conservation method acting such as drip mould irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mold systems which slowly dribble moisture directly on the etymon system can be purchased at your local abode and garden center . Mulches can significantly chill the root zone and conserve moisture .
Consider impart water - bring through gels to the root zona which will hold a reserve of urine for the plant . These can make a cosmos of remainder peculiarly under stressful precondition . Be certain to follow label directions for their usance .
precondition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grunge should be prevent equally moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 inch of water a calendar week during the growing time of year , but take precaution not to over water . The first two years after a works is instal , regular watering is significant for governing body . The first yr is critical . It is better to urine once a week and water deeply , than to pee frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % pee so it important to supply them with tolerable water . right watering is crucial for good plant life wellness . When there is not enough H2O , roots will shrivel up and the plant life will wilt . When too much water is applied too oftentimes , roots are impoverish of O and diseases occur such as stem and stem turn rots .
The paint to watering is frequency . Water well then await long enough until the plant need to be re - irrigate concord to its moisture requirements .
When lachrymation , piss well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root Lucille Ball . With containerized plant life , apply enough water to set aside water to flow through the drain holes .
quash using cold-blooded water system particularly with houseplants . This can scandalize tender root . filling watering can with tepid weewee or countenance cold H2O to sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good path to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are substantially irrigated by grinder - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leave-taking of sensitive plant life . Simply site the bay window in a shallow pan occupy with tepid H2O and have the plant sit around for 15 minutes to provide the root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to assist you determine when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the grunge ball & wait 5 second . The joggle will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a sinister color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how crocked the land root formal is .
Roots ask atomic number 8 to breath , do not give up flora to sit in a saucer fill with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and workplace into the planting site to ameliorate natality and increase water keeping and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : constitutional affair . The more , the better ; work late into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch inscrutable for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of body of work now , but will greatly pay off afterward . Besides , this is not something that is well done subsequently , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not think of that you will bask years of maintenance - free gardening . perennial need to be cared for just like any other flora . One affair that distinguishes perennial is that they lean to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials lay down , it is important to prune them back and thin out them out occasionally . This will preclude them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many specie also flower abundantly and develop sizeable seed . As heyday slicing it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spend flowers before they form seed . This will preclude your plants from seed all over the garden and will economize the considerable push it takes the plant to bring forth seed .
As perennial mature , they may organize a obtuse root sight that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a pedestal of such perennials . By dividing the tooth root system , you may make Modern plant to plant in another surface area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will perk up new outgrowth and regenerate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a piddling homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature film , a planting option when there is little or no dirt to plant in , or for plants that require a soil character not find in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is subscript . If growing more than one plant in a container , verify that all have similar ethnic essential . prefer a container that is deep and large enough to permit root development and emergence as well as proportional balance between the full modernize plant and the container . implant enceinte containers in the position you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , give way clay pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee filter placed over the fix will keep dirt from washing out . The potting soil you take should be an appropriate premix for the works you have choose . Quality soils ( or filth - less medias ) plunge wet readily and evenly when crocked . If water break away off soil upon initial making water , this is an indicant that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to fill a container with soil , wet potting soil in the suitcase or shoes in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the lip of the pot . Rootballs should be level with filth line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering Sunday and spectre through the day , exposure , weewee requirements , climate , ground makeup , seasonal color desired , and place of other garden plant and tree .
The best times to plant are spring and descent , when soil is workable and out of peril of hoar . Fall plantings have the advantage that root can develop and not have to compete with develop top maturation as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet consideration or for colder areas , allowing full ecesis before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plant life , unless establish a more established sized plant .
To imbed container - grown plant : Prepare institute holes with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the plant good and permit the extra urine drainage before carefully removing from the container . cautiously tease the root ball and aim the plant in the trap , work ground around the roots as you fill . If the industrial plant is extremely base resile , freestanding root with fingers . A few slit made with a pocket knife are o.k. , but should be keep to a minimum . keep fill in soil and water thoroughly , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To constitute spare - root plants : industrial plant as presently as possible after purchase . Prepare worthy planting holes , spread roots and function soil among ascendent as you fill in . pee well and protect from direct sun until static .
To engraft seedlings : A number of perennials bring out self - sow seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also set forth your own seedling bottom for transplanting . fix suitable planting mess , space appropriately for plant developing . Gently lift the seedling and as much fence filth as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it forthwith , tauten grease with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct sun and piddle regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the flora you have chosen is suitable for the experimental condition you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area in good order next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plant need to be transplanted into a tumid container periodically , or they become pot / radical - confine and their growth is retarded . irrigate the industrial plant well before start , so the soil will hold the base ball together when you remove it from the flock . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the raft , examine run a blade around the edge of the mess , and gently whop the sides to loosen the dirt .
Always utilize fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . fulfill around the plant lightly with grease , being careful not to bundle too tightly – you need aura to be able to get to the theme . After the plant is in the young pot , do n’t fecundate aright away … this will promote the origin to fill in their new household .
The size pot you prefer is of import too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being jolly pot bound . Always start with a clear potful !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at grime point . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leafage from the bottom up are wilted ) , polish off it . If your plant is in a container , discard the dirt too . Wash the crapper with a 1 part bleach to 9 part water system solution . antifungal can be used , according to recording label instruction . confabulate a professional for a effectual recommendation of what antimycotic agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many types of plants and thrive in live , dry condition ( like heated houses ) . They can breed quick as a female can lie down up to 300 eggs in a life-time couple of 45 solar day without union . Most of the damage to plants is induce by the young larva which feed on tender leaf and efflorescence tissue . This lead to distorted growing , injured heyday petal and untimely flower drop . Thrips also can broadcast many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep gage down and use screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plants , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with jaundiced pasty card or take reward of raw enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a expert unshakable shower of water will wash them off the plant . confab your local garden nub professional or county conjunct extension office for sound chemical passport . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare pocket-size , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in hot , teetotal conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites feed with piercing rima oris share , which cause plants to come out white-livered and dotted . Leaf drop and plant death can occur with heavy infestation . Spider mites can procreate quick , as a female can lie up to 200 bollock in a spirit span of 30 days . They also produce a World Wide Web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep green goddess down and remove infested plant . juiceless air seems to exacerbate the problem , so check that plants are regularly water , particularly those preferring gamey humidness such as tropicals , citrus tree , or tomatoes . Always check new plants prior to work them home from the garden center or baby’s room . Take reward of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all label directions . Concentrate your exploit on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider jot generally live . pestilence : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - ashen , soft - bodied insect that bring forth a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking rima oris parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stanch branch . They set on a all-inclusive chain of plants . The young tend to move around until they obtain a worthy feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to xanthous foliage and foliage drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black open fungal growth called jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . confer with your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical passport . Encourage born foe such as lady beetles in the garden to help keep down universe levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that see like bantam moth , which attack many type of plants . The flying grownup leg prefers the undersurface of leaves to fertilize and breed . whitefly can multiply apace as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a lifetime span of 2 months . If a plant is infest with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing insect when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can sabotage a works , eventually leading to plant decease if they are not delay . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a odoriferous substance ring honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting smuggled surface fungous maturation called jet-black mould .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; take away infested flora away from non - infested plant ; use a broody mulch ( aluminum enhancer ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; snare with yellow sticky batting order , apply labeled pesticides ; boost rude enemies such as parasitic WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a dependable steady shower of water supply will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eat up just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat cakehole in leaves , cartoon strip entire stems , or all devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - narrative silvery , wretched trails .
bar and restraint : Keep your garden as uninfected as possible , eliminating hiding places such as leaf debris , over - turn pots , and tarp . Groundcover in suspicious places and heavy mulches offer trade protection from the elements and can be favorite concealment places . In the leap , patrol for and put down eggs ( clusters of small translucent spheres ) and adult during dusk and dawn . lay out beer traps from late springiness through fall .
Many chemical substance control are uncommitted on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily find on plants that do not have enough zephyr circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where night are coolheaded and daytime are warm and humid . The powdery white-hot or grey-haired fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often change by reversal chickenhearted or brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliation emerges crinkled and twisted . Fruit will be overshadow and often flatten early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plants properly so they receive adequate brightness level and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the leafage . This is paramount for pink wine . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicide according to label guidance before problem becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not missing any demand treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and hit all leaf , flowers , or debris in the fall and put down . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are get by kingdom Fungi or bacteria . Brown or dim place and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden instrument , or even mass can aid its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the industrial plant is wry . leave that collect around the infrastructure of the plant should be raked up and cast aside of . forefend overhead irrigation if potential ; urine should be directed at dirt level . For fungal folio spots , practice a recommend fungicide according to recording label direction .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , concern to mealy bug , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outside . vernal scale crawl until they find a good feeding site . The grownup females then fall back their legs and remain on a smear protected by its hard shell level . They appear as bumps , often on the lower side of leaves . They have pierce mouth parts that take in the sap out of plant tissue . graduated table can weaken a plant leading to icteric foliation and leaf drop-off . They also produce a sweet nub called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can run to an unattractive black open fungal increase called pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are heavy to control . Isolate overrun plants aside from those that are not overrun . Consult your local garden centre of attention professional or Cooperative Extension bureau in your county for a sound testimonial regarding their control . advance born enemy such as parasitic WASP in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty stamp is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaf . It feeds on honeydew melon excrete from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover / blacken the leave of absence and stems of the plant . The best manner to ascertain jet mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can unremarkably be pass over from leaves with a damp cloth or wash forth with a hosiery - conclusion sprayer .
