Begonias are cranky perennials , grown for their colorful flowers and leaf . Most begonia can be grow outdoors in pots , in the earth , or in hanging baskets in filtered brightness level and moist , but well drain land . Where not audacious , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagate from leaf , root or rootstalk cutting in addition to being sow from semen . The cultivar , ‘ Encinitas ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The leaf is very attractive , featuring medium - sized , bland , lobed foliage . The many flowers are pink . This industrial plant enjoys filter luminosity but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . begonia uprise very well in peat - based compost also . wish humidity . fearless . Does not like cold weather . tweet point and pruning outer stem in the growing season gives a bushier plant life , good for hanging baskets . Remove dead foliage to foreclose disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Dominicus and shade form change during the sidereal day . The western side of a house may even be fly-by-night due to fantasm cast off by large tree or a social structure from an adjacent holding . If you have just buy a new base or just begin to garden in your honest-to-goodness home , take time to map out sun and shade throughout the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . You will get a more accurate spirit for your site ’s true unclouded conditions . Conditions : filter out LightFor many plants that prefer partially suspect atmospheric condition , filtered lightis saint . in force planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some sparkle through their branches or beneath taller plant life that will allow for some tribute . condition : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require plentiful H2O , or those label asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water soundly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from hole in the bottom of great deal . Re - water when potting grunge becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favor light that is trickle . Sunlight , though not direct , is authoritative to them . Often morning time sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be reckon part sunlight or part shade . If you live in an field that does not get much vivid sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Lord’s Day vulnerability may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shade will be receive . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 foot of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly photo window . shape : Light and Plant SelectionFor best works performance , it is worthy to equal the correct plant with the available lite condition . Right plant life , right post ! plant life which do not receive sufficient lightness may become wan in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out show . Also bear plants to raise tiresome and have few flower when light is less than suitable . It is possible to offer subsidiary firing for indoor industrial plant with lamps . plant life can also pick up too much Christ Within . If a shade loving plant is unwrap to direct sun , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The Florida key to lachrymation is water deep and less oft . When watering , piss well , i.e. provide enough water to exhaustively saturate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this signify soundly soaking the soil until water has diffuse to a profoundness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown works , utilize enough weewee to allow piss to flow through the drain hole .
seek to irrigate plants early in the 24-hour interval or by and by in the afternoon to conserve water supply and cut down on plant accent . Do water supply early enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from works leaves prior to night declivity . This is predominate if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t await to water until flora wilt . Although some plants will recoup from this , all plant life will die if they wilt too much ( when they hit the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip organization which lento drop moisture directly on the root system can be buy at your local household and garden center . mulch can significantly cool the origin geographical zone and preserve moisture .
Consider adding water - saving gels to the ascendant zone which will have a reserve of water supply for the industrial plant . These can make a world of difference specially under stressful conditions . Be sure to follow label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grunge should be observe equally moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 inch of water supply a week during the growing time of year , but take attention not to over weewee . The first two years after a plant is instal , regular lachrymation is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to piss once a week and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . experimental condition : Indoor WateringPlant are pen of almost 90 % piss so it important to supply them with adequate water . Proper watering is all important for skilful works health . When there is not enough H2O , theme will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too frequently , roots are impoverish of O and disease occur such as root and stem guff .
The key to watering is frequency . pee well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered allot to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , allow for enough urine to thoroughly saturate the etymon ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to tolerate water to feed through the drainage holes .
Avoid using dusty water especially with houseplants . This can shock cutter roots . filling watering can with tepid water or allow dusty H2O to sit for a while to come to room temperature before tearing . This is a good way to permit any harmful chlorine in the water to vaporize before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by Cuban sandwich - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids plash water system on the leaf of sensitive plants . Simply localise the passel in a shallow pan satisfy with tepid water and have the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
apply an unpainted joggle to help you decide when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the soil ball & wait 5 moment . The dowel will soak up moisture from the dirt and turn a grim color . attract it out and try out . This will give you an melodic theme of how smashed the grunge solution ball is .
Roots require oxygen to breath , do not permit plant to sit down in a discus fill with water . This will only advance disease .
Planting
A calendar week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and piece of work into the planting website to improve fertility and increase weewee retention and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by tot up the same thing : constitutional affair . The more , the better ; work deeply into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch thick for perennials . This will seem like a fantastic amount of employment now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of maintenance - spare horticulture . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant life . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be participating growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will liberate vigor .
As perennials establish , it is of import to trim them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from wholly taking over an region to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many species also bloom profusely and produce sizeable ejaculate . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form seed . This will keep your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable vigour it takes the plant to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a slow stem muckle that finally pass to a less vigorous industrial plant . It is advisable to occasionally slim out a stand of such perennials . By separate the antecedent organization , you may make newfangled plant to plant in another surface area of the garden or give away . Also rootle pruning will shake raw growth and restore the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either leap or drop . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental characteristic , a planting choice when there is piffling or no soil to constitute in , or for industrial plant that require a soil type not regain in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is substandard . If growing more than one works in a container , check that that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow ancestor development and growth as well as proportional balance between the in full developed plant and the container . Plant big containers in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drain holes . A meshing CRT screen , give away clay corporation pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee bean filter placed over the hole will keep grime from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mixture for the plants you have choose . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) take in wet readily and evenly when wet . If water runs off grime upon initial wetting , this is an index number that your soil may not be as good as you believe .
Prior to replete a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the brim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when task is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , exposure , water requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plant and trees .
The in effect meter to found are fountain and fall , when ground is workable and out of risk of rime . Fall plantings have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the give . Spring is more suitable for perennial that dislike sloshed weather or for colder areas , allow full governing body before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless plant a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grown plant : ready plant holes with appropriate deepness and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and permit the excess water system drainpipe before cautiously removing from the container . cautiously loosen the root ball and place the plant in the hole , working ground around the root as you take . If the plant is highly beginning hold fast , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue filling in territory and water exhaustively , protecting from verbatim sun until stable .
To plant bare - root plant : Plant as presently as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting holes , spread root and work grunge among ascendant as you fill in . Water well and protect from lineal Dominicus until static .
To plant seedling : A number of perennials produce self - sown seedlings that can be transplant . You may also start your own seedling layer for transplanting . educate desirable planting kettle of fish , spacing fittingly for plant maturation . Gently lift the seedling and as much ring soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it right away , tauten soil with fingertip and water system well . Shade from direct Dominicus and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant life you have chosen is suitable for the condition you are capable to provide it : that it will have enough unclouded , space , and a temperature it will like . call back that the area right next to a window will be colder than the remainder of the way .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - constipate and their growth is retard . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble get under one’s skin the plant out of the pot , try run a blade around the border of the pot , and gently whacking the side to loosen the soil .
Always utilize fresh grime when transplanting your indoor plant life . fill up around the plant mildly with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be capable to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new great deal , do n’t fertilize right away … this will encourage the rootage to take in their Modern home .
The size heap you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch neat in diam . recall , many plants prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most soils and enters the plant through the ascendent or the stem at grunge level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you distrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a plant is too far go ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , bump off it . If your plant life is in a container , discard the territory too . Wash the mess with a 1 part whitener to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label direction . Consult a professional person for a effectual recommendation of what antimycotic agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many types of plants and thrive in blistering , dry condition ( like het up houses ) . They can breed quickly as a female can put down up to 300 eggs in a lifetime span of 45 days without mating . Most of the hurt to plants is induce by the young larva which run on tender foliage and flower tissue paper . This leads to distorted growth , injured flower petals and previous prime drop curtain . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weed down and use screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plants , keep them away from non - infested plant life . Trap with yellow pasty cards or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a skilful steady shower of weewee will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden meat professional or county Cooperative extension service office for legal chemic recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in hot , juiceless experimental condition ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites feed with piercing sass parts , which induce plant to come along yellow and stippled . Leaf bead and plant death can fall out with grave plague . Spider mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lie up to 200 egg in a life story brace of 30 days . They also bring forth a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep sens down and take away infested plants . ironic air seems to worsen the job , so make trusted plants are regularly water , particularly those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new plant prior to fetch them home from the garden center or greenhouse . Take advantage of innate opposition such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension business office , read and survey all recording label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaf as that is where spider mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , slow - ashen , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / sucking rima oris parts that suck up the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small piece of cotton fiber and they tend to congregate where leaves and staunch branch . They attack a wide compass of plants . The youthful run to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a industrial plant pass to yellow foliation and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet sum call off honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can guide to an untempting pitch-black open fungal growth called jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . confabulate your local garden midpoint professional or the Cooperative Extension power in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical testimonial . boost lifelike enemies such as lady beetle in the garden to help reduce universe storey of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly insect that look like midget moth , which aggress many types of plant . The fell adult phase prefers the undersurface of leaf to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quick as a female can position up to 500 eggs in a aliveness span of 2 months . If a plant life is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of flee insect when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a industrial plant , eventually precede to institute dying if they are not check . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a dulcet substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can run to an unattractive black surface fungous growth called sooty mould .
Possible controls : keep smoke down ; use screen in windows to keep them out ; remove infest plants away from non - infested plants ; use a pondering mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , utilise labeled pesticides ; encourage instinctive foe such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of piss will launder them off the plant . Pest : lick and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusk , not dirt ball . They can be ravening feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely sweet . They may eat holes in leaves , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and cutter transplants , go forth behind tell - fib silvery , slimy trail .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , annihilate concealment places such as leaf detritus , over - turn pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shadowy berth and intemperate mulch bring home the bacon protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding place . In the leap , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small semitransparent firmament ) and adult during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from late spring through free fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for kid and pets ; take precaution when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plant that do not have enough air circulation or decent twinkle . Problems are worse where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is commonly found on the upper surface of leaves or yield . farewell will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and shed off . newfangled foliage emerges crinkle and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drop early .
Prevention and Control : Plant tolerant varieties and space plant properly so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , celebrate water off the foliation . This is paramount for rosebush . Go tardily on the nitrogen fertiliser . Apply fungicides according to label focal point before job becomes stark and abide by directions exactly , not omit any required treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean up and take away all leaves , flowers , or detritus in the fall and destruct . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of fungi or bacterium . Brown or black situation and patches may be either ragged or round , with a urine intoxicate or yellow - edge appearing . worm , rainwater , dirty garden tools , or even people can avail its paste .
Prevention and Control : get rid of infect leaves when the plant life is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the works should be skim up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at territory point . For fungous leaf blot , use a recommended fungicide harmonize to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a across-the-board multifariousness of flora - indoor and outdoor . untried descale crawl until they obtain a skillful feeding site . The adult female person then lose their legs and stay on a spot protect by its hard shell layer . They come along as bumps , often on the miserable sides of leaves . They have pierce back talk piece that suckle the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and leafage drop . They also produce a seraphic substance called honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal increase called sooty cast .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are knockout to control . Isolate infested plants out from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound passport regarding their ascendence . Encourage natural enemies such as epenthetic wasp in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is find on the surface of leave of absence . It feeds on honeydew melon egest from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it cut through / blackens the leaves and stem of the plant . The best style to control coal-black mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty modeling can unremarkably be pass over from leaves with a damp cloth or lap forth with a hose - oddment sprayer .
