begonia are untoughened perennial , grown for their colorful flower and foliage . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in flow basketball hoop in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not stout , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , stem or rhizome newspaper clipping in addition to being sow from cum . ( Plant width : leaves 3 to 6 column inch ) The cultivar , ‘ Venetian Pink , ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , sport medium - sized non - spiral leave that are often colored and patterned . This plant bask filtered luminousness but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - found compost also . Likes humidity . brave . Does not like cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning outer stem in the growing time of year give a bushier plant , honorable for hanging baskets . Remove dead foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will point out that sunlight and spectre pattern change during the day . The westerly side of a menage may even be shady due to shadows range by large trees or a structure from an next property . If you have just buy a new home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to map out Lord’s Day and shade throughout the day . You will get a more exact feel for your site ’s true light condition . atmospheric condition : Filtered LightFor many plant that prefer partially shady weather , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some brightness through their branch or beneath taller works that will provide some protection . experimental condition : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that postulate ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - love houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - urine when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an column inch or so below the soil surface . consideration : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose light that is sink in . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sunlight , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Lord’s Day exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a placement where good afternoon shade will be received . condition : promising Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly photograph window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is suitable to match the right plant with the useable promiscuous atmospheric condition . Right plant , right place ! Plants which do not experience sufficient light may become pale in vividness , have fewer leave and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also require plants to grow slower and have fewer flower when light is less than worthy . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also receive too much luminance . If a shade loving industrial plant is exposed to direct Dominicus , it may wilt and/or cause leave-taking to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The winder to lacrimation is water system deeply and less ofttimes . When watering , body of water well , i.e. render enough water supply to good saturate the root ball . With in - ground plant life , this means soundly hook the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being dependable ) . With container grown plants , enforce enough water to take into account water to feed through the drain kettle of fish .
attempt to water plants ahead of time in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant tenseness . Do piddle early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to dark fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to piss until plant wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they arrive at the lasting wilting point ) .
study water preservation methods such as trickle irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dribble systems which slowly dribble moisture directly on the root organization can be purchased at your local abode and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the base zone and conserve wet .
Consider adding water - saving gels to the etymon zone which will carry a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of conflict especially under stressful conditions . Be sure to stick with label directions for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and water regularly , as conditions need . Most plant like 1 column inch of water a hebdomad during the growing time of year , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a industrial plant is instal , regular tearing is significant for establishment . The first year is decisive . It is better to water once a week and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are draw up of almost 90 % water so it significant to supply them with adequate pee . Proper lacrimation is essential for good industrial plant health . When there is not enough pee , antecedent will shrink and the plant will droop . When too much water is applied too frequently , source are deprived of oxygen and disease come such as solution and theme rots .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - water according to its wet requirement .
When watering , water well . That is , cater enough water supply to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow urine to flow through the drainage trap .
obviate using inhuman weewee specially with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . filling watering can with tepid weewee or allow frigid water to sit down for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a in force elbow room to allow any harmful Cl in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing piss on the leaf of sensitive plants . but place the deal in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and let the plant sit down for 15 minutes to admit the root ball to be exhaustively wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to facilitate you determine when to re - water larger sight . Stick it into the grime lump & wait 5 minute . The dowel will steep moisture from the territory and turn a darker colour . draw it out and probe . This will give you an idea of how wet the filth root word ball is .
radical need oxygen to breathing time , do not allow plant to sit in a saucer filled with body of water . This will only elevate disease .
Planting
A workweek to 10 day before planting , add up 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and study into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drain . If soil composition is weak , a level of surface soil should be believe as well . No matter if your soil is backbone or the Great Compromiser , it can be ameliorate by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the skilful ; work deep into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off after . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you set a perennial , it does not think that you will love class of sustenance - free gardening . perennial need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that differentiate perennial is that they lean to be active grower that have to be thin out occasionally or they will free vigor .
As perennial establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will keep them from completely taking over an area to the expulsion 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 grow ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your flora ; that is , to withdraw spent flush before they form seed . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it assume the plant to produce cum .
As perennial suppurate , they may form a dense root mass that finally leads to a less vigorous works . It is advisable to once in a while thin out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you may make newfangled plant to plant in another expanse of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate raw growth and rejuvenate the industrial plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a minuscule preparation ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Planting ShrubsDig a maw twice the size of it of the etymon ball and deep enough to constitute at the same layer the shrub was in the container . If soil is wretched , dig hole even wider and fill with a mixture half original dirt and one-half compost or soil amendment .
Carefully remove shrub from container and softly separate roots . Position in shopping center of hole , just side face up forward . occupy in with original land or an amended potpourri if require as described above . For larger shrubs , build up a pee well . Finish by mulching and watering well .
If the industrial plant is balled - and - burlapped , remove fasteners and fold back the top of natural burlap , tuck it down into hole , after you ’ve positioned bush . Make certain that all burlap is buried so that it wo n’t wick water away from rootball during red-hot , teetotal periods . If synthetic burlap , remove if possible . If not possible , trend away or make slit to permit for roots to educate into the new soil . For gravid shrubs , build a water well . Finish by mulching and watering well .
If shrub is desolate - root , look for a discoloration somewhere near the base ; this mark is likely where the soil line was . If soil is too arenaceous or too clayey , add constitutive matter . This will help with both drainage and water property capacity . Fill soil , firming just enough to corroborate bush . Finish by mulching and watering well . How - to : ready ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is small or no soil to embed in , or for plant that require a stain type not line up in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have similar cultural demand . take a container that is deep and large enough to reserve etymon development and growth as well as relative balance between the amply developed plant and the container . Plant large container in the topographic point you intend them to stay . All containers should have drain holes . A mesh screen , reveal clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter position over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting stain you select should be an appropriate commixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality filth ( or grunge - less medias ) absorb wet readily and equally when wet . If water feed off ground upon initial passing water , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as just as you call back .
Prior to fulfil a container with land , wet potting grime in the travelling bag or piazza in a bathtub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will allow plants , when establish , to be just below the flange of the grass . Rootballs should be level with soil tune when project is over . piddle well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , exposure , weewee requirements , mood , grunge make-up , seasonal color hope , and perspective of other garden plant and Tree .
The good times to institute are spring and fall , when soil is practicable and out of danger of hoarfrost . Fall plantings have the vantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike blind drunk conditions or for colder areas , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plant , unless planting a more established sized plant life .
To plant container - grown plants : train planting holes with appropriate depth and place between . Water the plant thoroughly and lease the spare water drain before cautiously murder from the container . cautiously loose the root lump and put the flora in the yap , working soil around the ascendant as you replete . If the plant is exceedingly ancestor truss , separate roots with fingers . A few incision made with a pouch tongue are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . preserve filling in grime and water thoroughly , protect from lineal sun until stable .
To institute scanty - root plants : Plant as soon as potential after leverage . set suitable planting holes , spread out roots and work soil among antecedent as you fill in . Water well and protect from unmediated sun until stable .
To imbed seedlings : A issue of perennials produce self - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplantation . Prepare suited planting holes , spacing fittingly for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much environ soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it straightaway , firming soil with fingertip and urine well . Shade from direct sunlight and water regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake indisputable that the flora you have opt is suitable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a window will be cold-blooded than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plant need to be transplant into a larger container periodically , or they become great deal / root - bound and their growth is retard . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold up the radical testis together when you remove it from the gage . If you have bother getting the plant out of the pot , examine run a steel around the edge of the pot , and softly whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always habituate fresh filth when transplant your indoor plant . Fill around the plant mildly with land , being careful not to pack too tightly – you require air to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the plant life is in the new kitty , do n’t fecundate right off … this will encourage the stem to fill in their new home .
The size pot you take is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diameter . recollect , many plants choose being middling pot resile . Always set out with a clean mickle !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is see in most soil and go in the plant through the stem or the stem at filth degree . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your job , diminish tearing . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaf from the bottom up are wilt ) , hit it . If your plant is in a container , toss out the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . Consult a pro for a effectual good word of what fungicide to habituate . Pest : ThripsThripsare minuscule , wing insects that attack many type of plant and thrive in hot , dry stipulation ( like heated houses ) . They can reproduce quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a lifespan span of 45 days without mating . Most of the hurt to plants is triggered by the young larva which tip on sore leafage and flower tissue . This leads to distorted growing , injure flush petals and premature flower dip . Thrips also can transfer many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep grass down and expend screening on windows to keep them out . bump off or discard infest plants , keep them aside from non - infested industrial plant . Trap with yellow sticky board or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a dependable stiff cascade of piddle will wash out them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension position for effectual chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like tool which thrive in red-hot , dry condition ( like het house ) . Spider speck bung with pierce mouthpiece parts , which cause plant to look icteric and flecked . Leaf free fall and works expiry can occur with toilsome infestation . Spider mites can breed quickly , as a female person can lie down up to 200 eggs in a life sentence couple of 30 Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . They also produce a web which can spread over infested leaves and bloom .
Prevention and Control : Keep weed down and dispatch infested plants . Dry atmosphere seems to worsen the job , so verify plants are on a regular basis watered , especially those prefer high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always insure young plants prior to bringing them home from the garden centre or glasshouse . Take advantage of born enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is commend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all recording label direction . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mite generally inhabit . pesterer : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dense - blanched , gentle - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sop up mouth portion that suck the sap out of works tissue . Mealybugsoften look like low pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They assault a wide of the mark reach of plant . The young tend to move around until they witness a desirable feeding stain , then they pay heed out in Colony and feed . mealy bug can weaken a industrial plant leading to yellow foliage and folio drib . They also bring out a perfumed substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can pass to an unattractive disastrous surface fungous outgrowth called sooty stamp .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest works from those that are not . confer with your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension billet in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . promote lifelike enemies such as madam beetles in the garden to help repress population levels of mealy bug . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing insect that look like tiny moths , which attack many type of plants . The flying adult stage prefers the bottom of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply rapidly as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant life is disturb . whitefly can sabotage a plant , eventually leading to constitute death if they are not checked . They can broadcast many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sugared substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive pitch-black open fungal growth call jet-black mould .
Possible control : keep grass down ; usance screening in window to keep them out ; remove infested plant away from non - infested plants ; use a pondering mulch ( aluminum enhancer ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow embarrassing cards , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady cascade of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist clime and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat holes in leaves , flight strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender organ transplant , leave behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding places such as foliage debris , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulch provide auspices from the elements and can be favorite concealing places . In the give , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clustering of pocket-size translucent spheres ) and adults during crepuscle and sunrise . put out beer traps from later saltation through fall .
Many chemical substance ascendence are uncommitted on the mart , but can be vicious and deadly for child and ducky ; take care when using them - always register the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air travel circulation or adequate illumination . Problems are bad where nights are coolheaded and years are warm and humid . The powdery white or grey fungus is usually institute on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn icteric or brown , curl up , and drop off . newfangled foliage come forth crinkled and ill-shapen . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant repellent salmagundi and outer space plant in good order so they receive adequate light and melodic phrase circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for rose . Go easy on the N fertilizer . employ fungicide according to recording label directions before problem becomes severe and follow focussing exactly , not miss any call for discourse . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , peak , or debris in the fall and destroy . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are because of fungi or bacteria . dark-brown or opprobrious spots and patches may be either ragged or rotary , with a water soaked or yellow - march visual aspect . Insects , pelting , filthy garden putz , or even people can help its spreading .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the flora is dry . Leaves that collect around the basis of the flora should be graze up and put away of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at soil storey . For fungal leaf spotlight , use a recommended fungicide according to recording label centering .
blighter : Scale InsectsScales are insects , relate to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of works - indoor and outdoor . new scales creeping until they bump a honest feeding land site . The adult female then lose their leg and remain on a spot protected by its hard plate stratum . They appear as prominence , often on the humble sides of leaves . They have thrust mouth share that suck up the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can break a plant leading to yellow leafage and leaf drib . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal development call pitchy molding .
Prevention and Control : Once constitute they are knockout to ensure . Isolate invade plants away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural opposition such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is retrieve on the surface of leafage . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy hemipteran , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it cover / blackens the foliage and stem of the plant . The ripe agency to control sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wipe from leaves with a damp material or wash away with a hose - final stage atomiser .
