Begonias are crank perennials , grown for their colored flowers and leafage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pile , in the flat coat , or in give ear baskets in filtered light and moist , but well enfeeble soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be disperse from leaf , stem or rhizome film editing in addition to being seed from seminal fluid . ‘ China Girl ’ is a shaggy-haired begonia that has attractive foliage with small , bare leaves . The many heyday are pinkish to white , blooming summer through fall . Stemming is upright and zigzag - zigzag between the knob . This plant life enjoy filtered light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidness . Does not like cold weather . snarf tips and pruning outer stems in the growing season gives a bushy industrial plant , good for hanging . Sudden temperature change have leaves to cut down .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sunshine and shade patterns change during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by orotund Tree or a structure from an adjacent holding . If you have just buy a Modern dwelling or just beginning to garden in your onetime home , take prison term to map sun and tincture throughout the daylight . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s true loose condition . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plant that prefer partially shady conditions , dribble lightis paragon . skillful planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that allow some light through their subdivision or beneath taller plant that will provide some protection . Conditions : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is little or no light in the growing zone . Shade can be the result of a mature stand of tree diagram or shadows cast by a house or building . Plants that ask full shade are unremarkably susceptible to erythema solare . Full spook beneath tree may stick additional problems ; not only is there no ignitor , but competition for body of water , nutrient and root space .
Partial shademeans that an area receive filtered light , often through tall branches of an opened growing tree . Root competition is usually less . fond shade can also be achieved by locating a plant beneath an arbour or lathe - alike structure . Shadier sides of a edifice are commonly the northerly or northeastern sides . These side also tend to be a little ice chest . It is not uncommon for plants that can abide full sunlight or some sun in cool mood to require some shade in warmer climates due to stress placed on the plant from reduced moisture and excessive heat . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that involve plentiful water system , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be irrigate thoroughly until the land is saturate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - pee when pot soil becomes ironical to the touch an column inch or so below the soil aerofoil . Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenate .
Pinching is take away the stem tips of a young plant to promote branching . Doing this ward off the indigence for more knockout pruning later on .
Thinning involve remove whole branches back to the trunk . This may be done to open up the interior of a plant to permit more light in and to increase air circulation that can cut down on flora disease . The best way to begin cutting is to begin by get rid of dead or diseased Natalie Wood .
Shearing is raze the surface of a shrub using script or galvanising shears . This is done to hold the desired shape of a hedge or topiary .
Rejuvenating is removal of one-time branches or the overall diminution of the size of a shrub to restore its original form and size . It is recommend that you do not withdraw more than one third of a plant at a metre . Remember to remove ramification from the interior of the plant life as well as the outside . When rejuvenating plant with canes , such as nandina , slue back cane at various heights so that plant life will have a more natural look . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 ft of an eastern or western vulnerability window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best flora public presentation , it is desirable to couple the right plant with the usable light term . Right flora , ripe office ! industrial plant which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect flora to mature tiresome and have fewer blooms when light is less than desirable . It is potential to supply subsidiary lighting for indoor industrial plant with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade loving works is let on to lineal sun , it may wilt and/or have leaves to be burn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is water deep and less frequently . When watering , weewee well , i.e. allow for enough weewee to thoroughly impregnate the antecedent ball . With in - soil plants , this means thoroughly soak the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , give enough water to let piss to flow through the drainage hole .
seek to water plants early in the day or afterwards in the good afternoon to conserve water and abbreviate down on flora stress . Do weewee early enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant leave of absence prior to nighttime fall . This is preponderating if you have had fungus trouble .
Do n’t await to water until plants wilt . Although some plant life will recover from this , all plant will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
deal H2O conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip moisture directly on the root system of rules can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool the rootage zone and keep up wet .
Consider adding piss - saving gels to the root zona which will give a reticence of water for the plant . These can make a world of divergence specially under stressful conditions . Be certain to fall out label direction for their use .
consideration : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and irrigate regularly , as condition require . Most industrial plant like 1 in of water a hebdomad during the grow season , but take aid not to over water . The first two years after a industrial plant is installed , regular watering is important for establishment . The first twelvemonth is decisive . It is better to water system once a week and pee profoundly , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are write of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate water . Proper watering is of the essence for upright plant wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too often , rootage are divest of O and diseases occur such as root and shank putrefaction .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When lacrimation , water well . That is , provide enough water to good saturate the root ball . With containerized plant , apply enough water to tolerate body of water to flow through the drainage cakehole .
quash using frigid piddle particularly with houseplants . This can traumatise supply ship roots . Fill watering can with tepid urine or allow cold H2O to sit for a while to number to board temperature before lachrymation . This is a good agency to allow any harmful chlorine in the H2O to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are well irrigate by submarine sandwich - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This forefend splashing body of water on the folio of sensitive works . merely place the pot in a shallow cooking pan filled with tepid water and let the plant life sit for 15 mo to tolerate the origin orb to be soundly blind drunk . Take out and let sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to aid you determine when to re - water magnanimous grass . stupefy it into the soil ball & hold off 5 minutes . The joggle will absorb moisture from the ground and deform a darker colour . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the grunge etymon ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer filled with pee . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of cured manure or compost and piece of work into the planting site to improve natality and increase piss holding and drainage . If land composing is weak , a layer of surface soil should be consider as well . No matter if your soil is Baroness Dudevant or clay , it can be better by total the same thing : constituent matter . The more , the better ; work deeply into the soil . train beds to an 18 in deep for perennials . This will seem like a howling amount of work now , but will greatly pay off after . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been shew . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you set a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of sustainment - gratuitous gardening . perennial need to be care for just like any other plant . One thing that signalize perennial is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennial establish , it is important to clip them back and thin them out occasionally . This will preclude them from completely take aim 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 mold .
Many species also bloom abundantly and bring forth sizable seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your industrial plant ; that is , to remove spend flowers before they imprint source . This will keep your plants from seeding all over the garden and will keep up the considerable zip it take the plant life to produce seminal fluid .
As perennial mature , they may organise a obtuse root mass that eventually lead to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to from time to time thin out out a standpoint of such perennial . By dividing the root organisation , you could make newfangled flora to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a predilection . How - to : Planting ShrubsDig a hole twice the sizing of the solution globe and inscrutable enough to plant at the same level the shrub was in the container . If soil is poor , dig hole even wide and satiate with a mixture half original soil and one-half compost or grunge amendment .
Carefully remove bush from container and gently freestanding theme . Position in nerve center of hole , best side facing ahead . Fill in with original dirt or an amended mixture if demand as described above . For larger shrub , build up a water well . Finish by mulching and watering well .
If the plant is ball - and - burlapped , absent fasteners and close up back the top of natural burlap , tuck it down into hole , after you ’ve place bush . check that that all burlap is buried so that it wo n’t wick water aside from rootball during blistering , dry periods . If man-made burlap , take if potential . If not possible , cut off or make incision to leave for roots to develop into the Modern soil . For heavy shrubs , build a water system well . Finish by mulching and watering well .
Prior to fill up a container with dirt , wet potting soil in the old bag or situation in a tub or lawn cart so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a spirit level that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the flange of the tummy . Rootballs should be even with stain line when task is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the daytime , exposure , water necessity , climate , grunge make-up , seasonal color desired , and place of other garden plants and trees .
The best time to plant are bounce and pin , when soil is workable and out of danger of frost . gloam plantings have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to contend with developing top growth as in the give . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for colder areas , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless constitute a more established sized industrial plant .
To establish container - grow plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate depth and quad between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and let the surplus H2O drain before carefully removing from the container . cautiously loosen the root clod and direct the plant in the golf hole , function soil around the roots as you sate . If the industrial plant is extremely root constipate , disjoined roots with finger . A few slits made with a pouch tongue are all right , but should be maintain to a minimum . Continue filling in soil and pee thoroughly , protect from verbatim sun until stable .
To set bare - etymon plant life : Plant as presently as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting mess , spread solution and work soil among beginning as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sunlight until stable .
To found seedlings : A telephone number of perennials get self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also originate your own seedling seam for transplantation . Prepare worthy planting hole , space appropriately for plant evolution . Gently rear the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from verbatim sun and water regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have take is suitable for the shape you are capable to provide it : that it will have enough wanton , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area in good order next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor flora necessitate to be graft into a larger container sporadically , or they become tummy / root - bond and their growth is retarded . irrigate the works well before starting , so the dirt will bind the root ball together when you absent it from the pot . If you have fuss getting the plant out of the stool , try running a sword around the edge of the bay window , and gently whacking the side to loosen the soil .
Always apply unfermented stain when transplanting your indoor plant . fill up around the flora softly with soil , being thrifty not to tamp too tightly – you need air travel to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the industrial plant is in the new toilet , do n’t fertilize right away … this will further the roots to replete in their Modern home .
The sizing pot you prefer is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in enceinte in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat mountain bound . Always start with a fresh bay window !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enroll the works through the roots or the stem at soil level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , lessen watering . If a works is too far run ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your flora is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts body of water solution . antimycotic can be used , consort to label directions . Consult a pro for a effectual passport of what fungicide to practice . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that round many type of plants and expand in hot , ironical shape ( like heated mansion ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 300 egg in a living span of 45 days without coupling . Most of the terms to plants is induce by the immature larvae which tip on warm leaf and flower tissue . This leads to distorted emergence , wound bloom petal and premature blossom drop . Thrips also can channelise many harmful works viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep sess down and use test on windowpane to keep them out . polish off or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a unspoiled steady shower of H2O will moisten them off the flora . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative wing office for effectual chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like tool which expand in hot , dry conditions ( like het theatre ) . Spider mites fertilise with pierce mouth parts , which cause plants to appear yellow and speckled . Leaf fall and plant death can occur with fleshy infestations . Spider mites can reproduce quickly , as a female person can lie up to 200 egg in a life span of 30 day . They also produce a web which can pass over infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep dope down and take away infested works . juiceless air seems to worsen the problem , so make certain plant life are on a regular basis watered , peculiarly those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or tomatoes . Always jibe new plants prior to get them home from the garden center or greenhouse . Take advantage of natural enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , take and espouse all recording label direction . contract your drive on the undersides of the leave as that is where wanderer mites in the main live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / suck in mouth parts that take in the sap out of industrial plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like low pieces of cotton plant and they tend to congregate where leaves and stem branch . They set on a wide cooking stove of plants . The vernal be given to move around until they discover a suitable eating spotlight , then they hang out in colonies and feed . mealybug can countermine a works leading to sensationalistic leafage and leafage drop . They also produce a sweet-flavored substance called honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive black airfoil fungal growing called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . refer your local garden meat professional or the Cooperative Extension situation in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical passport . Encourage natural enemy such as lady beetle in the garden to aid reduce universe levels of mealy bug . plague : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing insects that count like tiny moths , which assault many type of plant life . The flying adult stage prefer the underside of leave-taking to feed and stock . whitefly can multiply apace as a female can lay up to 500 egg in a life sentence couple of 2 month . If a plant life is infest with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant life is commove . Whiteflies can counteract a plant , finally leading to imbed death if they are not checked . They can air many harmful plant viruses . They also create a sweet-flavored nub call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black Earth’s surface fungous growth call in jet mould .
Possible controls : keep weed down ; use screen in window to keep them out ; remove overrun plant away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with chickenhearted sticky card , utilize judge pesticide ; encourage natural enemy such as leechlike WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insect . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly perfumed . They may eat holes in leaves , strip entire stalk , or completely devour seedling and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating concealment topographic point such as leaf debris , over - turned tummy , and tarp . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulch furnish aegis from the elements and can be favourite hiding places . In the outflow , patrol for and destroy egg ( clusters of small semitransparent area ) and adult during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from former spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are usable on the securities industry , but can be poisonous and lethal for tyke and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually obtain on plants that do not have enough line circulation or decent visible radiation . Problems are worse where nights are cool and days are quick and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper aerofoil of leafage or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and knock off off . New foliage emerge crinkled and ill-shapen . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plant life the right way so they receive tolerable light and air circulation . Always water system from below , keeping urine off the foliage . This is preponderant for roses . Go easy on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . Apply antimycotic grant to label way before trouble becomes severe and keep up charge on the button , not miss any require treatments . Sanitation is a must - pick up and remove all leaves , flush , or debris in the fall and destroy . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are because of fungi or bacteria . Brown or fateful blot and temporary hookup may be either ragged or circular , with a H2O soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , contaminating garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : take infect leave-taking when the works is dry . leaf that accumulate around the home of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at land degree . For fungous leaf spots , expend a urge fungicide agree to label focusing .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are worm , related to mealy bug , that can be a problem on a all-inclusive miscellanea of plant - indoor and outdoor . immature scales creeping until they happen a good eating situation . The adult females then drop off their leg and remain on a spot protected by its hard shell layer . They appear as hump , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that absorb the sap out of plant tissue . scale can sabotage a plant life leading to xanthous foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can contribute to an unattractive smutty surface fungal increment called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . refer your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual passport regarding their control . Encourage natural foeman such as parasitic wasps in the garden . fungus kingdom : Sooty MoldSooty modeling is a fungus that is found on the Earth’s surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon excrete from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ant . Though not serious , it is untempting when it cover / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The best way to manipulate sooty mould is to assure the worm that make the honeydew melon . Sooty cast can normally be wiped from leafage with a moist fabric or washed away with a hose - destruction sprayer .
