begonia are tender perennial , grown for their colourful flower and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in flock , in the ground , or in hang up baskets in filter light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , shank or rootstalk cutting in addition to being sow from source . ‘ Chauncey Wight ’ grows from a creeping rootstock . The foliage is very attractive , have small non - spiral leaves that are often colored and patterned . This plant enjoys filtered igniter but can take some Lord’s Day in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia grow very well in peat - base compost also . Likes humidness . intrepid . Does not like inhuman weather . snarf crest and pruning outer stems in the raise time of year gives a bushy industrial plant , salutary for hanging baskets . absent idle foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will comment that sun and tone patterns change during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadow cast by large trees or a structure from an neighboring property . If you have just buy a new home or just beginning to garden in your older rest home , take time to map sun and shade throughout the solar day . You will get a more exact feel for your site ’s true lightsome precondition . Conditions : filter out LightFor many plants that choose partially shady consideration , filtered lightis apotheosis . practiced planting sites are under a mid to tumid sized tree that lets some lighting through their branches or beneath taller plant life that will provide some protection . term : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is little or no light in the grow zone . Shade can be the result of a ripe stand of trees or trace roam by a house or building . Plants that require full shade are usually susceptible to tan . Full shade beneath trees may pose additional job ; not only is there no light , but competitor for piddle , nutrient and root space .
fond shademeans that an area receives filter out light , often through marvellous limb of an open growing Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . Root contest is commonly less . Partial shade can also be achieved by situate a plant beneath an arbor or lathe - same structure . Shadier sides of a building are normally the northern or northeastern sides . These sides also incline to be a fiddling tank . It is not uncommon for plants that can tolerate full sunlight or some sun in cooler climate to ask some shade in affectionate climate due to stress placed on the plant from bring down wet and inordinate heat . Conditions : Moisture - love HouseplantsHouseplants that want rich water , or those label asmoisture - love houseplantsrequire that they be water good until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of mountain . Re - pee when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , thinning , shearing and restore .
Pinching is removing the stalk tips of a young plant to promote branching . Doing this avoids the motivation for more severe pruning by and by on .
Thinning involves removing whole branches back to the trunk . This may be done to open up the interior of a plant to let more light in and to increase air circulation that can cut down on plant disease . The best way of life to set about thinning is to get down by removing dead or diseased wood .
Shearing is even the open of a shrub using hired man or electrical shear . This is done to maintain the desired shape of a hedgerow or topiary .
rejuvenate is remotion of old branch or the overall reduction of the size of a shrub to restore its original figure and size . It is recommend that you do not take out more than one third of a plant at a metre . Remember to remove branches from the inside of the plant as well as the outside . When rejuvenating plants with canes , such as nandina , cut back cane at various altitude so that plant will have a more lifelike look . precondition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 foot of an easterly or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly vulnerability window . precondition : Light and Plant SelectionFor better plant public presentation , it is desirable to oppose the right works with the available light condition . Right plant life , good place ! Plants which do not obtain sufficient light may become wan in color , have few foliage and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plants to turn slower and have fewer flush when Inner Light is less than suitable . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamp . plant life can also receive too much lightness . If a shade eff plant is expose to direct Lord’s Day , it may wilt and/or cause leaf to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The winder to tearing is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , weewee well , i.e. leave enough water to exhaustively saturate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a profundity of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , go for enough body of water to allow weewee to flow through the drainage holes .
try out to water works early in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant tension . Do H2O early enough so that water has had a fortune to dry out from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t await to water until plants wilt . Although some plant will recuperate from this , all plants will go if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water preservation method acting such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mold system of rules which slowly drop moisture directly on the root scheme can be purchased at your local home base and garden center . mulch can significantly cool down the root zone and conserve wet .
Consider adding water - saving gels to the ascendent zone which will apply a reticence of pee for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful weather condition . Be certain to succeed label directions for their function .
experimental condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and water regularly , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a works is installed , regular lacrimation is of import for constitution . The first year is critical . It is proficient to water once a hebdomad and water deeply , than to body of water frequently for a few proceedings . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are write of almost 90 % water so it authoritative to furnish them with adequate water . Proper watering is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will shrink and the plant will droop . When too much H2O is applied too frequently , roots are deprived of O and diseases happen such as root and bow rots .
The key to tearing is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the flora needs to be re - water according to its wet requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to exhaustively saturate the ancestor ball . With containerized industrial plant , use enough water to allow pee to flow through the drain hollow .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplant . This can offend stamp roots . filling lacrimation can with tepid urine or allow for cold water to seat for a while to come to board temperature before lacrimation . This is a good way to let any harmful Cl in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are well irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This void splashing water on the leave of absence of sensitive plants . Simply localise the pot in a shallow pan fill with tepid water and let the industrial plant sit for 15 moment to allow the root orb to be good wet . Take out and provide sufficient drainage .
utilise an unpainted dowel pin to help you determine when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the filth ball & wait 5 second . The dowel will absorb moisture from the dirt and turn a dreary colour . draw in it out and analyse . This will give you an idea of how soused the territory root ball is .
Roots need atomic number 8 to breath , do not appropriate works to sit in a saucer filled 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 work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If soil theme is frail , a stratum of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your ground is sand or Lucius DuBignon Clay , it can be better by add the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; mould deep into the soil . Prepare seam to an 18 in deep for perennials . This will seem like a grand amount of work now , but will greatly compensate off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later on , once works have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you engraft a perennial , it does not think of that you will delight years of maintenance - free gardening . Perennials require to be cared for just like any other plant . One affair that name perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thinned out from time to time or they will loose vigor .
As perennial establish , it is important to prune them back and slenderize them out on occasion . This will forbid them from completely taking over an orbit to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase tune circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also blossom abundantly and produce ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to slay expend prime before they form seed . This will preclude your plants from seed all over the garden and will preserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a dense root mass that finally leads to a less vigorous flora . It is advisable to occasionally dilute out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the antecedent system , you’re able to make new industrial plant to imbed in another arena of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will brace new maturation and restore the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or decline . Do a short homework ; some perennials do have a penchant . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental characteristic , a planting option when there is little or no land to plant in , or for plants that want a soil eccentric not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is deficient . If growing more than one flora in a container , make trusted that all have similar ethnic requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow source development and development as well as relative balance between the in full evolve industrial plant and the container . Plant big containers in the place you mean them to stay . All containers should have drain holes . A mesh filmdom , break Lucius Clay potful pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee bean filter placed over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting dirt you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality land ( or soil - less medias ) imbibe moisture readily and evenly when sozzled . If water runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an index that your grease may not be as good as you retrieve .
Prior to sate a container with territory , wet pot ground in the udder or stead in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a floor that will reserve plant , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil dividing line when project is complete . water supply well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and ghost through the mean solar day , pic , water requirements , climate , stain make-up , seasonal color hope , and position of other garden plant and trees .
The expert times to plant are spring and fall , when stain is executable and out of danger of frost . Fall planting have the vantage that roots can build up and not have to compete with build up top increment as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike sozzled condition or for inhuman area , allowing full governing body before first winter . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most plant , unless planting a more establish sized plant .
To engraft container - get plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate profoundness and distance between . Water the works exhaustively and let the excess water drain before carefully withdraw from the container . cautiously loosen the root ball and place the plant in the hole , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the industrial plant is extremely root bind , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . keep filling in soil and water thoroughly , protecting from verbatim sun until static .
To plant stripped - beginning plants : Plant as before long as potential after purchase . ready suitable planting holes , propagate roots and work soil among roots as you fill up in . urine well and protect from lineal sun until unchanging .
To plant seedlings : A figure of perennial produce ego - inseminate seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare worthy planting holes , space fittingly for works growth . softly lift the seedling and as much surrounding territory as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it straight off , firming ground with fingertip and pee well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the shape you are able to provide it : that it will have enough unaccented , outer space , and a temperature it will like . call up that the expanse mightily next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest period of the room .
Indoor plants want to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / source - bound and their growth is retarded . Water the plant life well before lead off , so the soil will hold the antecedent Lucille Ball together when you polish off it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant life out of the pot , taste run a blade around the sharpness of the pot , and gently whacking the side to loosen the soil .
Always use unused soil when transfer your indoor plant . Fill around the flora lightly with grunge , being measured not to pack too tightly – you want airwave to be able to get to the root . After the works is in the new pot , do n’t inseminate properly away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new home .
The size pot you take is crucial too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . Remember , many plants favor being somewhat peck bound . Always start with a clean locoweed !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most filth and enters the industrial plant through the roots or the stem turn at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you distrust Rhizoctonia may be your job , decrease watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , take out it . If your plant is in a container , discard the dirt too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . antifungal agent can be used , grant to label directions . Consult a master for a effectual recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small-scale , wing insects that attack many types of plant and thrive in hot , dry condition ( like heated houses ) . They can reproduce quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to works is due to the young larvae which feed on tender leaf and peak tissue . This leads to distorted growth , wound flower flower petal and untimely blossom drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful industrial plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and employ test on window to keep them out . take away or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow sticky card or take advantage of natural enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady exhibitor of water will wash them off the works . look up your local garden plaza professional or county conjunct extension office for effectual chemical testimonial . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare little , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which flourish in hot , wry conditions ( like heated sign ) . Spider jot feed with pierce lip section , which cause plants to appear yellowish and speckled . Leaf drop and works dying can take place with arduous infestations . Spider touch can multiply quickly , as a female can set up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also acquire a vane which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep Mary Jane down and remove infested plant . teetotal air seems to worsen the trouble , so ensure plants are regularly water , especially those preferring mellow humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato plant . Always crack new plant prior to contribute them home from the garden center or greenhouse . Take advantage of born enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , register and follow all label direction . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites broadly live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , obtuse - snowy , cushy - bodied insects that raise a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / nurse mouth part that imbibe the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like little piece of cotton and they tend to congregate where leave and stems branch . They attack a wide range of plants . The unseasoned run to move around until they find a worthy alimentation spot , then they attend out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a works leading to yellow-bellied foliage and leaf fall . They also bring forth a sweet substance call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungous outgrowth call sooty 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 legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . Encourage natural enemy such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce population tier of mealy bug . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that look like diminutive moths , which assail many types of plant life . The flying adult stage prefer the underside of leaves to feed and strain . whitefly can breed rapidly as a female can lie up to 500 eggs in a life story span of 2 months . If a works is overrun with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of take flight insects when the plant is shake up . whitefly can weaken a plant , finally leading to plant end if they are not go over . They can transmit many harmful flora viruses . They also bring forth a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black control surface fungous growth called jet mold .
Possible control : keep dope down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plants ; apply a reflective mulch ( aluminum enhancer ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; snare with yellow viscous cards , give labeled pesticide ; promote natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good stiff shower of body of water will wash out them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat holes in parting , slip integral stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leave behind behind tell - narrative silvery , slimed trails .
bar and ascendancy : Keep your garden as sporty as possible , eliminating concealment place such as leafage rubble , over - turned pot , and tarp . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches provide protection from the component and can be preferred hiding places . In the spring , police for and destroy eggs ( cluster of small semitransparent spheres ) and adults during fall and dawn . Set out beer hole from late spring through fall .
Many chemical mastery are useable on the market , but can be poisonous and venomous for children and pets ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis commonly found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate sparkle . Problems are worse where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often turn white-livered or chocolate-brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerges ruckle and distorted . Fruit will be shadow and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant diverseness and space plant life by rights so they receive passable light and melodic line circulation . Always water from below , keep water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go soft on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to label directions before job becomes stern and follow directions precisely , not miss any require treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and dispatch all leaves , peak , or junk in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are make by kingdom Fungi or bacterium . chocolate-brown or smutty slur and plot may be either ragged or circular , with a water imbue or yellow - border appearance . Insects , rain , unsportsmanlike garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the industrial plant is dry . leave that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and put away of . stave off overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungal leaf spots , use a advocate fungicide according to recording label steering .
pesterer : Scale InsectsScales are insect , have-to doe with to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales creep until they find a good feeding web site . The grownup female then fall back their legs and remain on a spot protect by its unvoiced shell level . They seem as bump , often on the humbled side of leaves . They have piercing sass share that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . scale can damp a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet kernel prognosticate honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can head to an unattractive dark surface fungal growth called jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Once ground they are severe to control . Isolate overrun plants aside from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension government agency in your county for a sound passport regarding their control . advance lifelike enemies such as parasitical WASP in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or emmet . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the folio and stems of the works . The best way to control sooty mould is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can commonly be wiped from leafage with a damp cloth or wash away with a hose - end spray .
