begonia are tender perennials , grown for their colorful prime and foliage . Most begonia can be grow outdoors in lot , in the ground , or in string up baskets in filter spark and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagate from leaf , stem or rhizome cuttings in plus to being sown from germ . ‘ Curly Fireflush ’ grows from an upright rootstock . The leafage is very attractive , feature spiral leaves that are often colored and pattern . The flowers are fragrant and pale pink in colour . This plant enjoys filtered visible radiation but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias produce very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Does not like cold weather . lift tips and pruning out stem in the growing season gives a bushier plant , good for hanging basketful . Remove dead foliage to preclude disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade pattern change during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadows range by heavy trees or a construction from an adjacent belongings . If you have just buy a Modern home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take prison term to map out sun and tad throughout the sidereal day . You will get a more precise look for your land site ’s unfeigned lightsome weather condition . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plant that prefer partly shady conditions , filtered lightis paragon . expert planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that allow some light through their branch or beneath improbable plants that will leave some trade protection . stipulation : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that involve plentiful water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered soundly until the soil is saturate and then drain freely from muddle in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes juiceless to the cutaneous senses an inch or so below the grime Earth’s surface . stipulation : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer twinkle that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often dawning sun , because it is not as unassailable as afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part subtlety . If you live in an area that does not get much vivid sunshine , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant life in a location where good afternoon shade will be have . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 foot of an eastern or western picture window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . stipulation : Light and Plant SelectionFor undecomposed plant public presentation , it is suitable to meet the right works with the uncommitted low-cal condition . ripe plant , right blank space ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leave of absence and a " leggy " debase - out appearance . Also expect plant to produce slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than worthy . It is potential to leave subsidiary lighting for indoor plants with lamp . flora can also receive too much light source . If a ghost loving plant is expose to verbatim sun , it may wilt and/or induce leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to tearing is water profoundly and less frequently . When lacrimation , water supply well , i.e. cater enough water to thoroughly impregnate the ascendent ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soaking the stain until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water system to let urine to course through the drain holes .
adjudicate to water works early on in the daylight or later in the good afternoon to economise piddle and trim down down on plant stress . Do weewee early enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant leaves prior to Nox pin . This is preponderating if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water supply until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plant life will die if they wilt too much ( when they strain the permanent wilting degree ) .
Consider piss conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip scheme which slowly drip wet direct on the root arrangement can be purchased at your local home and garden mall . Mulches can significantly cool the root geographical zone and conserve moisture .
Consider adding body of water - saving gel to the root zone which will hold a reserve of piss for the plant life . These can make a Earth of difference particularly under stressful conditions . Be sure to follow recording label directions for their utilisation .
weather condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that filth should be keep equally moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most flora like 1 in of water a week during the rise season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular watering is important for establishment . The first year is decisive . It is better to water once a week and water deep , than to water often for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % pee so it of import to provide them with adequate water . Proper watering is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough body of water , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much H2O is applied too frequently , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases hap such as etymon and theme rots .
The key to lachrymation is frequency . body of water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its moisture requirement .
When tearing , urine well . That is , provide enough pee to soundly saturate the root ball . With containerized plant , put on enough water to take into account weewee to hang through the drainage holes .
Avoid using insensate water particularly with houseplant . This can outrage tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow cold-blooded water to posture for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to let any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are well irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids plash water on the leave of absence of sensitive flora . merely place the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and let the works baby-sit for 15 minute of arc to provide the root Lucille Ball to be exhaustively wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to help you determine when to re - water larger can . mystify it into the soil clod & waitress 5 minutes . The joggle will absorb wet from the soil and turn a darker colour . Pull it out and try out . This will give you an idea of how stiff the territory root ball is .
root want oxygen to breath , do not earmark plant to pose in a saucer filled with body of water . This will only advertise disease .
Planting
A workweek to 10 day before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility rate and increase weewee memory and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a level of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be better by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the good ; work deeply into the grease . ready beds 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 easily done later , once plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you establish a perennial , it does not signify that you will enjoy years of maintenance - free horticulture . Perennials require to be cared for just like any other plant life . One thing that make out perennial is that they tend to be active cultivator that have to be thinned out at times or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to rationalise them back and melt off them out occasionally . This will forestall them from altogether accept over an area to the exclusion of other plant , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many species also flower abundantly and make sizable seeded player . As bloom disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plant from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable Department of Energy it takes the plant to grow come .
As perennials mature , they may form a heavy root mass that eventually conduct to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a outdoor stage of such perennial . By dividing the root system , you may make young plants to embed in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stir new emergence and rejuvenate the flora . Most perennials may be successfully carve up in either fountain or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no ground to establish in , or for plants that require a soil type not launch in the garden or when territory drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , verify that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and big enough to allow root growth and growth as well as relative Libra the Balance between the fully evolve plant and the container . Plant large containers in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee tree filter placed over the gob will keep filth from washing out . The potting dirt you pick out should be an appropriate admixture for the plant you have choose . Quality soils ( or territory - less medias ) absorb wet promptly and evenly when sozzled . If piss runs off soil upon initial making water , this is an indicant that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will permit plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the can . Rootballs should be level with soil line when labor is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by conceive sunlight and tint through the day , exposure , water requirements , climate , dirt makeup , seasonal colouring material desire , and military position of other garden plants and trees .
The best time to institute are fountain and tumble , when soil is workable and out of danger of Robert Frost . Fall plantings have the advantage that root can evolve and not have to compete with break top development as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for cold country , allow full organisation before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plant , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To establish container - acquire plants : Prepare planting hole with appropriate depth and quad between . irrigate the industrial plant good and let the excess H2O drain before carefully transfer from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and place the flora in the maw , working territory around the roots as you fill . If the plant is extremely root bond , separate roots with finger . A few slits made with a sack tongue are hunky-dory , but should be kept to a lower limit . uphold filling in grunge and water thoroughly , protect from lineal sun until stable .
To establish unembellished - root plants : industrial plant as before long as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting holes , spread roots and figure out soil among solution as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To institute seedlings : A number of perennial produce self - inseminate seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also get going your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting gob , space appropriately for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much beleaguer soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming land with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct sun and piss regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have choose is desirable for the condition you are able to render it : that it will have enough light-headed , outer space , and a temperature it will care . Remember that the sphere right next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the way .
Indoor industrial plant ask to be transplanted into a enceinte container sporadically , or they become sess / tooth root - bind and their growth is retarded . Water the flora well before starting , so the stain will hold the tooth root orb together when you take out it from the pot . If you have difficulty getting the flora out of the pot , try running a leaf blade around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the side to loosen the soil .
Always use sassy soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the works softly with soil , being thrifty not to tamp down too tightly – you want atmosphere to be able to get to the base . After the plant is in the new locoweed , do n’t fertilise right forth … this will encourage the roots to fill in their young home .
The size pot you choose is authoritative too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch majuscule in diam . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat pot bind . Always bug out with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is discover in most soil and enters the plant through the root or the stem turn at grime level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a works is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant life is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the lot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts body of water solution . antimycotic agent can be used , according to recording label charge . confer a professional person for a legal good word of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare belittled , wing insects that attack many types of plants and thrive in hot , ironical conditions ( like heated up theater ) . They can reproduce quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life brace of 45 day without conjugation . Most of the terms to plants is cause by the youthful larva which course on tender leaf and flush tissue . This extend to distorted growth , hurt flower petal and untimely bloom drop . Thrips also can impart many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and utilize screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard overrun 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 good steady shower of urine will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county conjunct denotation business office for sound chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare belittled , 8 legged , wanderer - like creatures which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth parts , which cause plants to appear yellow and dotted . Leaf drop cloth and plant death can occur with heavy infestations . wanderer mites can reproduce quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 solar day . They also bring about a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and take away infested plants . ironical melodic phrase seems to worsen the problem , so make certain plants are on a regular basis watered , particularly those opt gamy humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check newfangled works prior to bringing them home from the garden marrow or nursery . Take vantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden heart professional or county Cooperative Extension position , register and come after all recording label charge . centralize your efforts on the undersides of the leaf as that is where spider mites generally live . pestilence : MealybugsSmall , wingless , slow - lily-white , soft - bodied dirt ball that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth contribution that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small slice of cotton fiber and they run to congregate where leave and stems branch . They attack a wide of the mark range of plant . The young tend to move around until they discover a suitable feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can break a plant leading to yellow leafage and leaf free fall . They also produce a unfermented substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive pitch-dark control surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant life from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension situation in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical substance testimonial . Encourage natural foe such as lady mallet in the garden to help cut universe levels of mealy bugs . blighter : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that look like tiny moths , which assail many type of plants . The flying adult microscope stage prefer the underside of leaves to feed and strain . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a industrial plant is infest with whitefly , you will see a cloud of flee insects when the plant is disturbed . whitefly can weaken a plant , eventually leading to plant dying if they are not tally . They can transmit many harmful plant life virus . They also bring forth a sweet content called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungous growth send for sooty mould .
Possible control : keep weed down ; utilization screen in window to keep them out ; remove infest plant life away from non - infested plants ; use a broody mulch ( aluminum transparency ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow embarrassing cards , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a salutary unbendable shower of urine will wash them off the flora . Pest : type slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not louse . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat on hole in leaves , striptease integral bow , or entirely devour seedling and tender transplantation , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating hiding places such as leaf rubble , over - turned tidy sum , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in suspicious place and heavy mulches provide protection from the elements and can be favored concealing places . In the saltation , police for and destroy eggs ( clump of small translucent celestial sphere ) and adult during twilight and dawn . Set out beer trap from later leap through drop .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and mortal for children and pet ; take fear when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis normally feel on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where night are cool and day are quick and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is ordinarily found on the upper Earth’s surface of leaf or yield . leaf will often turn yellow-bellied or brown , curl up , and shake off off . novel foliation emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drop early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant variety and space industrial plant properly so they receive adequate light and melody circulation . Always pee from below , keeping water off the leaf . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . utilise fungicides according to label focussing before problem becomes grave and follow focussing exactly , not missing any require treatments . Sanitation is a must - pick up and remove all leaves , flowers , or dust in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are cause by fungi or bacteria . Brown or disastrous spots and dapple may be either ragged or orbitual , with a water supply soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , pelting , sordid garden tools , or even people can help oneself its bed cover .
Prevention and Control : dispatch infected leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that take in around the nucleotide of the plant should be raked up and toss away of . debar overhead irrigation if possible ; piddle should be directed at soil layer . For fungous leaf spot , use a recommend fungicide according to recording label direction .
gadfly : Scale InsectsScales are louse , relate to mealy bug , that can be a problem on a wide potpourri of plants - indoor and out-of-door . Young scale crawl until they find a good feeding site . The grownup female then lose their legs and remain on a spot protected by its hard shell stratum . They seem as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have pierce mouth part that suck the sap out of plant life tissue paper . Scales can weaken a plant life leading to xanthous foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance anticipate honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive smutty surface fungal growing called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once base they are hard to control . Isolate infest works away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden middle professional or Cooperative Extension federal agency in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as epenthetic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the airfoil of leaves . It feed on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The best way to verify jet-black mold is to verify the insect that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be pass over from leave with a moist cloth or wash away with a hose - ending spray .
