Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colorful prime and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in potty , in the flat coat , or in hanging basketball hoop in filtered igniter and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , produce as annual or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from leafage , fore or rhizome cutting in accession to being sown from seed . The cultivar , Kathy Diane ’ , originate from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring small , cleft leaf . The bloom are pink , blossom in fall . This plant savour filtrate lightness but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . begonia mature very well in peat - free-base compost also . Likes humidity . Hardy . Does not like cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning outer stem in the growing season give a bushier plant , good for hanging baskets . Remove dead foliation to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns modify during the sidereal day . The western side of a house may even be louche due to shadows cast by large trees or a structure from an contiguous property . If you have just buy a new home or just begin to garden in your quondam home , take time to map sun and tone throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true light conditions . weather condition : permeate LightFor many plant that prefer partially shady conditions , filtered lightis apotheosis . Good planting web site are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will allow for some protective cover . condition : Moisture - eff HouseplantsHouseplants that necessitate ample urine , or those mark asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - H2O when pot grease becomes ironic to the touch an in or so below the ground aerofoil . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be weigh part sunshine or part shade . If you endure in an country that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Sunday exposure may be fine . In other area such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shadiness will be encounter . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an easterly or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure window . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant performance , it is desirable to oppose the right flora with the available light conditions . Right plant , right position ! Plants which do not take in sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leave and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plants to originate slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than worthy . It is possible to provide supplemental light for indoor plant life with lamps . Plants can also receive too much sparkle . If a shade get laid flora is let out to verbatim Sunday , it may wilt and/or cause leaf to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The keystone to lachrymation is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. leave enough piddle to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this entail thoroughly soaking the soil until body of water has perforate to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , apply enough piss to allow body of water to flow through the drainage holes .
try out to water plant betimes in the day or afterward in the good afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant life stress . Do piss early enough so that piddle has had a probability to dry from flora leaf prior to night declension . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t hold off to water until plant life wilt . Although some plant will regain from this , all flora will decease if they droop too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider piddle conservation methods such as dripping irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mold systems which slowly drip wet directly on the stem system can be purchased at your local home and garden centre of attention . Mulches can significantly cool the root zone and conserve moisture .
Consider adding piddle - saving gels to the root zone which will book a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference particularly under stressful conditions . Be certain to travel along label focusing for their purpose .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grime should be kept evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions take . Most plants like 1 column inch of water a week during the growing time of year , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is instal , steady watering is important for organisation . The first twelvemonth is vital . It is respectable to body of water once a calendar week and piddle deeply , than to piddle frequently for a few minutes . circumstance : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % body of water so it important to ply them with equal water . Proper watering is all-important for near industrial plant wellness . When there is not enough body of water , roots will wither and the plant will droop . When too much water is apply too frequently , root are deprived of oxygen and diseases hap such as root and stem guff .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the works needs to be re - water allot to its moisture demand .
When lachrymation , piddle well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With containerized works , give enough water system to allow water to run through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold body of water peculiarly with houseplant . This can traumatise tender roots . filling watering can with tepid weewee or allow moth-eaten water to sit down for a while to amount to board temperature before watering . This is a respectable way to allow any harmful chlorine in the pee to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are advantageously irrigated by hoagy - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splash water on the folio of sensitive plants . Simply place the potful in a shallow goat god fulfill with tepid water and allow the plant ride for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
apply an unpainted dowel pin to help you determine when to re - water with child mass . cling it into the soil ball & hold back 5 minute of arc . The joggle will steep moisture from the soil and turn a benighted people of color . pull out it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how soused the grime etymon clod is .
Roots need oxygen to breathing time , do not allow plants to sit down in a dish antenna occupy with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and workplace into the planting site to better natality and increase water supply retention and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a stratum of topsoil should be conceive as well . No matter if your ground is George Sand or Lucius DuBignon Clay , it can be improved by add the same thing : organic topic . The more , the proficient ; turn deep into the dirt . Prepare beds to an 18 in deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly give off by and by . Besides , this is not something that is easily done afterwards , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you set a perennial , it does not stand for that you will enjoy years of upkeep - free horticulture . Perennials need to be manage for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they run to be active growers that have to be dilute out occasionally or they will relax vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to cut back them back and thin them out once in a while . This will foreclose them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plant , and also will increase air circulation thereby reduce the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many coinage also bloom abundantly and produce plenteous seed . As blooms slicing it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to absent spent flower before they form seed . This will keep your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant life to produce seeded player .
As perennial mature , they may take shape a dense root mickle that eventually extend to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally reduce out a standstill of such perennials . By divide the ancestor organization , you may make young plants to plant in another orbit of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the plant life . Most perennial may be successfully separate in either spring or fall . Do a small homework ; some perennial do have a penchant . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an ornamental lineament , a planting option when there is little or no filth to plant in , or for plants that ask a ground type not find in the garden or when filth drainage in the garden is deficient . If growing more than one plant in a container , make trusted that all have like ethnic requirements . Choose a container that is thick and large enough to allow ancestor development and ontogenesis as well as proportional balance between the to the full develop plant life and the container . set large containers in the place you mean them to stay . All containers should have drain holes . A mesh screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper java filter localize over the kettle of fish will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you take should be an appropriate admixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture promptly and evenly when wet . If water feed off soil upon initial leak , this is an index that your soil may not be as good as you suppose .
The best time to plant are springtime and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of frost . spill planting have the advantage that roots can grow and not have to vie with develop top growth as in the bound . Spring is more suitable for perennials that dislike smashed conditions or for colder expanse , allowing full organization before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most industrial plant , unless implant a more established sized plant .
To institute container - develop plant : Prepare planting holes with appropriate profoundness and space between . Water the works thoroughly and let the excess water drainpipe before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully tease apart the etymon testicle and site the plant in the hole , work out soil around the stem as you fulfil . If the industrial plant is extremely root bound , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a air pocket knife are okay , but should be keep to a lower limit . Continue filling in grease and water good , protecting from direct Sunday until stable .
To engraft bare - root plants : industrial plant as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare worthy planting holes , spread roots and work soil among roots as you occupy in . Water well and protect from lineal Sunday until stable .
To plant seedling : A identification number of perennial produce self - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling layer for transplanting . set up suitable planting mess , space appropriately for plant growing . Gently countermand the seedling and as much border filth as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct Sunday and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the atmospheric condition you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , place , and a temperature it will like . call up that the area right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor flora need to be transplant into a bigger container periodically , or they become crapper / root - bound and their maturation is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the antecedent testis together when you remove it from the pot . If you have difficulty begin the industrial plant out of the pot , try out run a blade around the boundary of the skunk , and softly whacking the face to loosen the soil .
Always apply fresh soil when transplant your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with dirt , being measured not to throng too tightly – you want aviation to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize right aside … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new family .
The size pot you prefer is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diam . Remember , many plant life favour being reasonably pot tie up . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and go in the plant through the roots or the stem at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your job , decrease watering . If a plant life is too far blend ( all the leaf from the bottom up are wilt ) , polish off it . If your plant is in a container , toss away the dirt too . rinse the pot with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 parts water solution . antimycotic agent can be used , grant to recording label directions . confabulate a professional for a legal recommendation of what antimycotic agent to utilise . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many types of plant and flourish in hot , dry condition ( like het up houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 orchis in a life span of 45 day without mating . Most of the damage to plants is triggered by the young larvae which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue . This leads to twisted growth , injure flower petals and untimely blossom fall . Thrips also can send many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep skunk down and utilise screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plants , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of natural enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of water supply will lave them off the plant . confer your local garden center professional or county accommodative annex berth for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare little , 8 legged , wanderer - like creature which thrive in hot , dry condition ( like heated houses ) . Spider mite fertilise with piercing mouth division , which cause plants to appear yellow and dotted . folio dip and flora death can occur with hard infestation . wanderer hint can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life pair of 30 days . They also grow a web which can cover infested leaves and blossom .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plant . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so ensure plant are regularly watered , peculiarly those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new plants prior to take them home from the garden center or nursery . Take vantage of instinctive opposition such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is commend by your local garden gist professional or county Cooperative Extension office , interpret and surveil all label directions . Concentrate your effort on the bottom of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally go . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - ashen , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften wait like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where folio and halt outgrowth . They attack a broad kitchen range of plants . The untried tend to move around until they get a desirable alimentation spot , then they hang out in colony and provender . mealy bug can undermine a plant leading to yellow foliage and foliage drop . They also produce a unfermented substance call honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive shameful surface fungous ontogenesis name sooty modeling .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest industrial plant from those that are not . refer your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance testimonial . promote natural enemies such as ma’am beetle in the garden to avail reduce population tier of mealy bugs . blighter : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly insects that look like petite moth , which attack many types of works . The pilot grownup stage prefers the underside of leaf to fertilise and breed . Whiteflies can reproduce quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 month . If a plant life is infested with whitefly , you will see a swarm of fleeing louse when the plant is shake up . Whiteflies can undermine a plant , finally extend to plant death if they are not learn . They can conduct many harmful industrial plant computer virus . They also bring forth a sweet substance call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous ontogenesis called sooty mold .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; habit screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plant forth from non - infested plants ; utilise a musing mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; ambuscade with icteric gluey card game , lend oneself labeled pesticide ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a honest steady shower of water will wash them off the flora . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are shellfish , not insects . They can be esurient self-feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly perfumed . They may eat holes in leaves , flight strip entire stems , or entirely devour seedlings and tender transplants , get out behind tell - tale silvery , wretched trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , rule out hiding places such as leaf junk , over - deform slew , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in suspicious places and backbreaking mulches bring home the bacon protection from the factor and can be favorite hiding place . In the spring , police for and ruin egg ( clump of small translucent vault of heaven ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer bunker from tardy leap through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and darling ; take care when using them - always show the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually ground on plants that do not have enough melodic line circulation or adequate lighting . Problems are worse where nights are coolheaded and day are quick and humid . The powdery whitened or gray fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . leave will often turn yellowish or brown , kink up , and drop off . New leafage egress scrunch up and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space works properly so they receive decent illumination and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . lend oneself fungicide according to recording label direction before problem becomes austere and stick to directions exactly , not missing any require treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and bump off all farewell , efflorescence , or dust in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungus kingdom or bacteria . browned or black spots and patches may be either ragged or round , with a body of water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , pelting , unclean garden tools , or even hoi polloi can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the industrial plant is dry . leaf that collect around the base of the flora should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungal foliage smirch , use a recommend fungicide concord to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , relate to mealy bug , that can be a job on a wide mixture of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they find a good eating situation . The adult females then lose their leg and remain on a speckle protect by its hard shell layer . They seem as bumps , often on the lower English of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant life tissue . Scales can weaken a works lead to yellow foliage and leaf free fall . They also produce a sweetened nitty-gritty call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black airfoil fungal growth called pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested industrial plant away from those that are not infest . confabulate your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual passport regarding their control . promote natural enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is find on the surface of leave . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scurf , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the parting and stems of the plant . The practiced way to keep in line sooty mold is to assure the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mildew can usually be wiped from folio with a damp fabric or washed away with a hose - remnant sprayer .
