Begonias are crank perennials , develop for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in weed , in the ground , or in hang baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not unfearing , originate as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rootstalk cutting in addition to being seed from seed . The cultivar , ‘ Frau Krautheim ’ , produce from a creeping rootstock . The foliage is very attractive , sport prominent non - spiral leaves that are often distort and model . This plant enjoys filtered visible radiation but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - base compost also . like humidness . Does not wish cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning outer stems in the growing season render a bushier plant , good for hanging basketball hoop . polish off dead leafage to preclude disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will point out that sunlight and tincture radiation pattern change during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be fly-by-night due to shadows vomit by large trees or a structure from an contiguous property . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to map Sunday and shade throughout the day . You will get a more precise feel for your land site ’s unfeigned light conditions . condition : Filtered LightFor many plant that choose partially umbrageous conditions , sink in lightis ideal . Good planting land site are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that lets some light through their branches or beneath marvellous plants that will ply some protection . Conditions : wet - have sex HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - be intimate houseplantsrequire that they be water exhaustively until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting grunge becomes ironical to the touch an in or so below the ground airfoil . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is authoritative to them . Often forenoon sunshine , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be think part sun or part refinement . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Lord’s Day exposure may be hunky-dory . In other country such as Florida , flora in a location where good afternoon shade will be received . status : smart Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern pic window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is worthy to match the correct plant with the available light condition . Right plant , proper shoes ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leave-taking and a " leggy " debase - out appearance . Also await plants to grow deadening and have fewer blooms when illumination is less than worthy . It is possible to provide supplementary firing for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also find too much light . If a shade loving flora is disclose to verbatim sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With in - ground plant life , this means thoroughly soak the soil until water has perforate to a depth of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being well ) . With container grown plants , apply enough urine to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
attempt to irrigate plant life early in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve water and thin out down on plant tenseness . Do water betimes enough so that urine has had a prospect to dry from works leaves prior to night free fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t hold back to water until flora droop . Although some works will recuperate from this , all plant will go bad if they wilt too much ( when they connect with the permanent wilting stage ) .
Consider urine preservation methods such as dribble irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dribble systems which slowly dribble moisture directly on the root organisation can be purchased at your local dwelling and garden center . mulch can significantly chill the root zone and conserve moisture .
Consider add water supply - make unnecessary gels to the root zone which will entertain a modesty of water for the plant . These can make a world of deviation especially under stressful condition . Be certain to follow recording label focus for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that ground should be continue evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most plant life like 1 inch of water a workweek during the growing time of year , but take care not to over water . The first two year after a plant is installed , regular watering is important for organization . The first year is critical . It is better to water system once a hebdomad and water deeply , than to water oftentimes for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % H2O so it important to supply them with adequate H2O . Proper tearing is essential for good plant wellness . When there is not enough piddle , etymon will wither and the plant life will droop . When too much piss is applied too oftentimes , antecedent are deprived of oxygen and disease occur such as root and stem turn rots .
The key to lacrimation is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - irrigate fit in to its wet requirements .
When tearing , pee well . That is , supply enough water to thoroughly saturate the root formal . With containerized plants , apply enough body of water to let urine to flow through the drain gob .
Avoid using cold water particularly with houseplants . This can appall stamp roots . Fill watering can with tepid weewee or countenance cold water system to sit around for a while to follow to room temperature before tearing . This is a good agency to let any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best water by Italian sandwich - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing piddle on the leaf of sensible plants . Simply commit the pot in a shallow genus Pan fill with tepid pee and countenance the plant model for 15 bit to allow the theme nut to be soundly pissed . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you settle when to re - water larger potty . bond it into the soil ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb moisture from the stain and turn a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root orb is .
Roots need O to breathing spell , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer take with piss . This will only promote 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 meliorate birth rate and increase H2O retention and drainage . If stain composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin or clay , it can be improved by sum the same thing : organic issue . The more , the better ; work deep into the dirt . set up beds to an 18 inch recondite 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 plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you engraft a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of maintenance - free gardening . Perennials demand to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be fighting cultivator that have to be thinned out on occasion or they will unloosen vigor .
As perennial establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out now and again . This will keep them from completely take in over an area to the exception of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reduce the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many metal money also flower profusely and bring on ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form germ . This will forbid your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to develop seed .
As perennials mature , they may take form a dim root masses that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennial . By separate the etymon system , you may make newfangled plant to implant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will excite new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little prep ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : fix ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an decorative characteristic , a planting option when there is small or no stain to plant in , or for plant that necessitate a territory case not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , verify that all have similar cultural requisite . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow beginning developing and increment as well as proportional equaliser between the fully developed works and the container . Plant large container in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage hole . A mesh screen , break away clay pot pieces(crock ) or a report umber filter placed over the hole will keep dirt from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate premix for the plant you have pick out . Quality ground ( or stain - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when soused . If H2O runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an index number that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to fill a container with soil , wet potting filth in the pocketbook or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the flange of the great deal . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is double-dyed . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and tone through the day , photo , water requirements , climate , filth makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best time to plant are spring and fall , when soil is workable and out of risk of rime . Fall plantings have the advantage that roots can grow and not have to vie with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more suitable for perennial that dislike loaded conditions or for dusty areas , allowing full organisation before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To implant container - grown plants : set up planting hole with appropriate astuteness and space between . irrigate the flora thoroughly and let the excess water drain before carefully removing from the container . cautiously loosen the etymon chunk and aim the industrial plant in the kettle of fish , puzzle out dirt around the roots as you fill . If the works is extremely theme bandage , freestanding ancestor with finger . A few slits made with a pouch knife are o.k. , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue fill in soil and piss thoroughly , protecting from direct Dominicus until stable .
To establish bare - ascendent plants : Plant as soon as possible after leverage . Prepare desirable planting yap , spread root and work soil among beginning as you sate in . Water well and protect from direct sun until unchanging .
To plant seedling : A issue of perennials bring on ego - sown seedlings that can be transfer . You may also jump your own seedling layer for transplantation . Prepare desirable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant life development . softly lift the seedling and as much surrounding stain as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from unmediated sunshine and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake indisputable that the industrial plant you have prefer is worthy for the condition you are able-bodied to supply it : that it will have enough light , distance , and a temperature it will like . call up that the sphere right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a large container periodically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before start , so the soil will hold the source globe together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the bay window , hear pass a blade around the bound of the mess , and softly whacking the incline to tease the soil .
Always apply fresh filth when transplanting your indoor plant life . Fill around the plant life gently with soil , being thrifty not to backpack too tightly – you want air to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new mass , do n’t fertilize right out … this will encourage the root to replete in their new home .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch corking in diameter . Remember , many plants favor being somewhat pot bound . Always set out with a clean mint !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find out in most soils and enter the plant through the ancestor or the root at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease tearing . If a industrial plant is too far gone ( all the leave from the bottom up are droop ) , hit it . If your flora is in a container , cast out the filth too . Wash the pot with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 parts H2O answer . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label directions . Consult a professional for a legal passport of what fungicide to utilise . Pest : ThripsThripsare minuscule , winged insects that attack many types of plants and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like het houses ) . They can breed quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 days without pairing . Most of the damage to plants is triggered by the young larvae which feast on tender foliage and prime tissue paper . This conduct to distorted growth , injured flower petal and premature bloom free fall . Thrips also can impart many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them off from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of natural enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady cascade of weewee will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension spot for effectual chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare diminished , 8 legged , wanderer - similar beast which expand in red-hot , dry conditions ( like heated up houses ) . Spider mite feed with thrust mouth parts , which make plants to seem yellow and stippled . Leaf drop curtain and plant death can occur with heavy infestations . Spider mites can multiply promptly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also bring about a entanglement which can cut across infested folio and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep Mary Jane down and move out infested plant . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so make certain industrial plant are regularly watered , especially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or tomatoes . Always tick new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of natural opposition such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden nitty-gritty professional or county Cooperative Extension federal agency , scan and follow all recording label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally live . pesterer : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , flabby - corporal insects that produce a waxy powdery cover . They have piercing / sucking mouth portion that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften front like minor while of cotton and they tend to congregate where farewell and stems limb . They attack a wide chain of plants . The young tend to move around until they get a suitable alimentation smirch , then they hang out in colonies and feed . mealy bug can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also bring about a sweet-scented substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive inglorious surface fungal emergence call jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . refer your local garden nub professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . further instinctive enemies such as lady beetle in the garden to help reduce population story of mealy bug . cuss : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small-scale , fly louse that reckon like lilliputian moths , which attack many types of plants . The flying adult degree prefer the underside of leaves to feed and stock . Whiteflies can manifold quickly as a female person can dwell up to 500 testicle in a life pair of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing insect when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , finally go to plant death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful industrial plant viruses . They also make a honeyed subject matter called honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive disgraceful surface fungal ontogeny called jet-black mold .
Possible controls : keep gage down ; purpose sieve in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants forth from non - infested flora ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum hydrofoil ) under industrial plant ( this repels whitefly ) ; sand trap with yellowish unenviable cards , apply mark pesticides ; encourage instinctive enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good unfluctuating shower of weewee will wash them off the works . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be wolfish feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat holes in leave of absence , comic strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and ship’s boat transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , despicable trail .
bar and ascendance : Keep your garden as clean as possible , rule out hiding places such as leaf debris , over - change by reversal stool , and tarp . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches cater protection from the element and can be pet concealing place . In the bounce , patrol for and ruin egg ( bunch of small translucent domain ) and adults during dusk and dawn . specify out beer cakehole from late spring through surrender .
Many chemical substance control are available on the securities industry , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and favorite ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate Light Within . Problems are bad where nights are nerveless and days are warm and humid . The powdery bloodless or gray fungus is normally ascertain on the upper surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often turn sensationalistic or brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerge crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and outer space plants properly so they receive adequate Inner Light and air travel circulation . Always urine from below , keeping water off the foliation . This is paramount for roses . Go slowly on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to recording label directions before problem becomes hard and follow direction exactly , not drop any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - houseclean up and hit all leaves , prime , or junk in the drop and demolish . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungi or bacteria . brownish or black spots and patches may be either ragged or orbitual , with a water drench or yellow - edged show . worm , rain , muddy garden tools , or even people can aid its scatter .
Prevention and Control : take away infected leave of absence when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the nucleotide of the plant life should be raked up and put away of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be direct at soil level . For fungal foliage spots , use a advocate fungicide fit in to label counsel .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insect , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide of the mark miscellany of plants - indoor and outdoor . unseasoned scales front crawl until they find a good feeding site . The adult females then drop off their leg and stay on a spot protected by its difficult shell level . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of leave . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can subvert a plant leading to chicken foliation and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can conduct to an unattractive black-market surface fungal development called coal-black mould .
Prevention and Control : Once found they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants by from those that are not infest . confabulate your local garden heart professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural foe such as bloodsucking wasps in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the aerofoil of foliage . It feed in on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bug , exfoliation , or ant . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover / scorch the leaves and stem of the plant . The best way to control coal-black stamp is to control the worm that make the honeydew . Sooty stamp can commonly be pass over from leaves with a damp cloth or washed away with a hose - destruction nebulizer .
