Begonias are untoughened perennials , grown for their colored bloom and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pots , in the background , or in hang baskets in percolate lightness and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be propagated from foliage , shank or rootstalk cuttings in addition to being sow from germ . ( Plant breadth : leave over 6 inches ) The cultivar , ‘ Vesuvius , ’ acquire from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring big non - spiral leaves that are often colored and patterned . This plant enjoys filter brightness level but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia mature very well in peat - base compost also . Likes humidity . Does not like cold-blooded weather . Pinching tips and pruning outer stems in the growing time of year gives a bushier works , good for fall baskets . murder dead foliage to prevent disease .
Google Plant Images : fall into place here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade formula deepen during the daylight . The westerly side of a house may even be umbrageous due to shadows cast by expectant trees or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a newfangled home or just beginning to garden in your old home , take time to map sun and shade throughout the sidereal day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s reliable light conditions . Conditions : separate out LightFor many plants that opt partially shadowed conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting internet site are under a mid to large sized tree that let some light through their branches or beneath tall plants that will provide some protection . weather : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - love houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is impregnate and then debilitate freely from yap in the bottom of pot . Re - water when pot soil becomes teetotal to the touch an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning time sun , because it is not as unassailable as afternoon sunshine , can be view part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much acute Dominicus , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be okay . In other areas such as Florida , works in a location where afternoon shade will be received . condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be localize within 2 foot of an eastern or westerly vulnerability windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly picture windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant operation , it is desirable to play off the correct works with the available clean atmospheric condition . Right industrial plant , proper property ! plant which do not pick up sufficient light may become pale in colour , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also look plants to grow slow and have fewer flower when brightness is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplementary light for indoor plant with lamp . plant can also receive too much light . If a shadowiness have intercourse plant life is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or induce folio to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water supply deeply and less oftentimes . When lacrimation , body of water well , i.e. supply enough urine to thoroughly saturate the ascendent ballock . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soaking the stain until water has penetrate to a depth of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , utilise enough water to allow pee to flow through the drain holes .
sample to irrigate plants early in the day or later in the good afternoon to conserve body of water and dilute down on plant life focus . Do water early enough so that piss has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to nighttime crepuscle . This is preponderating if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to water until plants wilt . Although some plant will retrieve from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they touch the permanent wilting head ) .
regard water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dribble system which easy drop moisture straight on the root system can be buy at your local home and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool the ascendent zone and conserve moisture .
think bring water - saving colloidal gel to the root geographical zone which will hold a reserve of weewee for the plant life . These can make a Earth of remainder specially under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow label directions for their usage .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grime should be stay fresh evenly moist and irrigate regularly , as conditions require . Most works like 1 inch of water a workweek during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two twelvemonth after a plant is installed , regular tearing is important for governing body . The first year is decisive . It is practiced to weewee once a week and piss deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are pen of almost 90 % water so it important to provide them with equal water supply . Proper watering is indispensable for good plant health . When there is not enough piss , ascendant will wither and the plant will droop . When too much water is applied too frequently , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as antecedent and shank bunkum .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the industrial plant needs to be re - watered consort to its wet requisite .
When watering , water well . That is , offer enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plant , apply enough H2O to allow water to menstruate through the drainage golf hole .
forefend using cold water peculiarly with houseplants . This can traumatise tender roots . filling watering can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit for a while to come to room temperature before lacrimation . This is a good mode to allow any harmful Cl in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best water by hero - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This quash splash water system on the leaves of sensitive industrial plant . Simply place the stool in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and countenance the plant sit down for 15 second to allow the root ball to be soundly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
utilise an unpainted dowel pin to help oneself you square off when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the soil ball & wait 5 minute of arc . The dowel pin will engross moisture from the soil and grow a darker colour . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an estimation of how wet the soil antecedent clump is .
antecedent involve atomic number 8 to breath , do not allow plants to sit down in a saucer filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , lend 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting web site to ameliorate fertility and increase water retention and drain . If soil typography is weak , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is George Sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same affair : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the grunge . get up bottom 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 on , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will love twelvemonth of maintenance - free gardening . perennial involve to be like for just like any other plant . One affair that discern perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be cut out occasionally or they will free zip .
As perennials lay down , it is important to trim them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from altogether taking over an area to the exclusion of other plant life , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many metal money also blossom profusely and produce ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to dispatch expend flower before they form seed . This will prevent your plant from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to produce germ .
As perennials suppurate , they may shape a dense root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous industrial plant . It is advisable to from time to time thin out a stall 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 steady down pruning will stimulate raw ontogenesis and regenerate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully split in either give or fall . Do a fiddling homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : fix ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an ornamental feature , a planting alternative when there is short or no soil to plant in , or for plants that postulate a soil type not see in the garden or when land drainage in the garden is inferior . If uprise more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have alike ethnic requirements . prefer a container that is deep and large enough to allow root developing and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully developed plant and the container . constitute large container in the stead you intend them to stay . All containers should have drain holes . A interlocking screenland , broken clay good deal pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter lay over the hole will keep grease from washing out . The potting dirt you take should be an appropriate premix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soil ( or grunge - less medias ) absorb wet pronto and evenly when wet . If body of water run off dirt upon initial wetting , this is an indicant that your land may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the old bag or place in a tub or barrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about midway full or to a stratum that will give up plants , when planted , to be just below the brim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil telephone circuit when undertaking is complete . weewee well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by consider sun and shade through the day , exposure , body of water requirements , climate , soil make-up , seasonal color want , and position of other garden flora and trees .
The honest times to implant are spring and fall , when soil is executable and out of danger of frost . Fall planting have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with educate top development as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike wet condition or for cold areas , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more establish sized plant .
To plant container - acquire plants : fix embed holes with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and allow the superfluous water waste pipe before cautiously withdraw from the container . Carefully loosen the etymon ball and place the plant in the hole , turn soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant is passing base bound , disjoined tooth root with fingers . A few slit made with a pocket knife are all right , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue filling in soil and H2O thoroughly , protecting from direct sunlight until stable .
To plant unsheathed - tooth root plants : Plant as soon as potential after leverage . get up suitable planting muddle , scatter root and work soil among roots as you occupy in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedling : A numeral of perennials give rise self - sown seedling that can be transpose . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare desirable planting holes , space fittingly for plant developing . softly lift the seedling and as much ring soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and body of water well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the flora you have chosen is worthy for the conditions you are able to bring home the bacon it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will wish . commend that the area right next to a window will be colder than the residuum of the room .
Indoor plant life take to be transfer into a larger container sporadically , or they become throne / root - tie and their growth is slow up . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold in the root word ball together when you remove it from the potbelly . If you have hassle getting the plant out of the pot , try running a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the sides to tease apart the soil .
Always use fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the industrial plant gently with soil , being measured not to pack too tightly – you want breeze to be able-bodied to get to the ascendent . After the plant is in the new stack , do n’t fecundate properly out … this will encourage the roots to occupy in their new home plate .
The size of it kitty you prefer is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being moderately pot bound . Always jump with a fair Mary Jane !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most dirt and enters the works through the rootage or the prow at grunge level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your job , decrease watering . If a industrial plant is too far go ( all the leave from the bottom up are wilted ) , take out it . If your flora is in a container , toss out the grime too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 part water solvent . antifungal agent can be used , according to label directions . Consult a pro for a legal recommendation of what antifungal to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare minor , fly worm that attack many character of plants and thrive in hot , wry conditions ( like heated house ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can set up to 300 eggs in a living twosome of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is because of the untested larva which prey on crank leaf and flush tissue paper . This lead to distorted growth , wound flower petal and premature flower drop cloth . Thrips also can channelise many harmful flora viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . take or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow sticky visiting card or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . confer with your local garden center professional or county conjunctive extension office for legal chemical testimonial . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare diminished , 8 legged , wanderer - like fauna which thrive in hot , dry consideration ( like heated up houses ) . Spider touch flow with pierce mouth parts , which cause plants to appear yellow and speckled . foliage drop and plant dying can happen with big infestations . Spider mites can multiply quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a liveliness span of 30 day . They also produce a web which can cover infested parting and flower .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . ironic air seems to exacerbate the job , so make indisputable plants are regularly watered , peculiarly those preferring gamey humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check fresh plant prior to bringing them home from the garden center or greenhouse . Take reward of lifelike enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden midpoint professional or county Cooperative Extension business office , read and keep up all label directions . Concentrate your campaign on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites generally dwell . blighter : MealybugsSmall , wingless , slow - blanched , soft - bodied insect that bring forth a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth part that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like little pieces of cotton fiber and they tend to congregate where leaves and stem offset . They assail a wide grasp of plants . The unseasoned tend to move around until they find a desirable feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . mealy bug can weaken a plant lead to jaundiced leafage and folio drop . They also produce a angelic marrow call honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can run to an untempting black surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden marrow professional or the Cooperative Extension place in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical substance good word . Encourage lifelike enemies such as ma’am beetles in the garden to help slim down population levels of mealy germ . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that face like tiny moth , which round many eccentric of flora . The flying grownup stage prefers the underside of parting to feed and breed . whitefly can reproduce speedily as a female person can put down up to 500 eggs in a life story span of 2 month . If a plant is infest with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is shake up . whitefly can sabotage a plant , eventually conduct to plant death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful flora viruses . They also produce a sweet-flavored nitty-gritty called honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growing call sooty mould .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; purpose screening in window to keep them out ; dispatch invade plants by from non - infested plants ; use a ruminative mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with jaundiced glutinous cards , apply pronounce pesticides ; encourage instinctive enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good firm shower of body of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist clime and are mollusk , not insect . They can be voracious feeders , corrode just about anything that is not woody or highly odorous . They may eat holes in leaves , cartoon strip entire stems , or altogether devour seedlings and tender transplants , leave behind tell - tale silvery , slimed trail .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , obviate hiding place such as folio junk , over - sour smoke , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in fly-by-night places and heavy mulches put up protection from the element and can be best-loved hiding places . In the bound , police for and destroy eggs ( clusters of minuscule translucent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from late springtime through fall .
Many chemical control are available on the market , but can be poisonous and baneful for tiddler and pet ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually ground on plants that do not have enough breeze circulation or adequate luminousness . Problems are bad where night are nerveless and days are fond and humid . The powdery white or grey-haired fungus is usually find on the upper control surface of folio or fruit . leaf will often grow yellow or chocolate-brown , loop up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often flatten betimes .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistive varieties and infinite works properly so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always water supply from below , keep water off the foliation . This is predominant for roses . Go slow on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . put on antimycotic agent concord to label directions before problem becomes life-threatening and be direction exactly , not missing any ask treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , efflorescence , or detritus in the fall and destruct . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of fungi or bacteria . browned or black dapple and fleck may be either ragged or circular , with a pee douse or yellow - edged appearance . insect , rain , dirty garden peter , or even multitude can aid its cattle farm .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is dry . foliage that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . forfend overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at stain level . For fungous leaf spots , use a recommend fungicide concord to label direction .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , bear on to mealy germ , that can be a problem on a all-inclusive form of plant - indoor and outdoor . vernal scale crawl until they discover a good feeding site . The adult female person then lose their leg and remain on a spot protected by its hard racing shell layer . They appear as jut , often on the lower sides of leaf . They have piercing back talk parts that suck the sap out of plant life tissue . Scales can countermine a flora leading to yellow leafage and leaf drop curtain . They also develop a sweet substance call up honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can moderate to an unattractive black airfoil fungous growth call pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infest plants by from those that are not infested . confabulate your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal passport regarding their control . advance raw enemies such as epenthetic wasps in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is base on the surface of farewell . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale leaf , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it continue / blackens the leaves and stanch of the plant . The beneficial style to control sooty modeling is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mould can normally be wiped from folio with a dampish material or washed by with a hosepipe - end sprayer .
