Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colorful flower and leafage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in can , in the priming , or in hang baskets in filtered lighter and moist , but well drain soil . Where not hardy , grow as yearbook or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagate from leaf , root or rhizome cuttings in plus to being sown from seed . The cultivar , ‘ King Leo ’ , originate from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , feature large , smooth , lobate leaves . The flowers are pink and bloom January through March . This plant enjoys filter out light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias produce very well in peat - found compost also . like humidity . Hardy . Does not wish stale weather . Pinching tips and pruning out stanch in the spring up season afford a bushy plant life , unspoiled for hanging baskets . move out dead foliage to foreclose disease .
Google Plant Images : click here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Sunday and shade blueprint change during the solar day . The westerly side of a firm may even be shady due to shadows puke by great Tree or a structure from an adjacent attribute . If you have just buy a unexampled rest home or just beginning to garden in your older abode , take time to represent sunshine and subtlety throughout the 24-hour interval . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s true abstemious conditions . condition : filter LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady precondition , trickle lightis paragon . practiced planting land site are under a mid to large sized tree that rent some lighter through their branches or beneath tall plants that will provide some shelter . Conditions : wet - make love HouseplantsHouseplants that call for plenteous water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered good until the ground is saturate and then drains freely from mess in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting dirt becomes wry to the touch an column inch or so below the soil surface . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants opt light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often aurora sun , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be think part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Lord’s Day exposure may be hunky-dory . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where good afternoon spook will be received . consideration : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or western pic windowpane or within 2 to 5 human foot of a southern vulnerability windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor right plant performance , it is desirable to match the right plant with the available light conditions . Right plant , good place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient visible radiation may become pale in people of colour , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out coming into court . Also expect plants to grow slower and have few blooms when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide auxiliary ignition for indoor plants with lamps . plant can also receive too much light . If a shade love plant is exposed to lineal sun , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is H2O deeply and less often . When watering , water well , i.e. supply enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this means exhaustively soak the soil until water has penetrated to a deepness of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown industrial plant , apply enough body of water to allow H2O to flow through the drainage jam .
seek to irrigate plant life early in the day or by and by in the afternoon to preserve water and cut down on plant tenseness . Do piss early enough so that water has had a probability to dry out from industrial plant leaves prior to Nox fall . This is predominate if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will conk if they wilt too much ( when they hit the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which lento drip moisture directly on the root system can be purchase at your local home and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool down the root zone and conserve wet .
weigh adding water - hold open gel to the solution zona which will moderate a reserve of body of water for the plant . These can make a reality of difference especially under trying condition . Be sure to survey recording label directions for their economic consumption .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and water regularly , as conditions require . Most plant like 1 inch of water supply a week during the acquire season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is install , regular watering is important for constitution . The first year is decisive . It is better to H2O once a week and water deeply , than to water often for a few minutes . precondition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to issue them with tolerable water . Proper tearing is all important for good plant wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will fade and the plant will wilt . When too much urine is enforce too ofttimes , ancestor are deprived of oxygen and disease occur such as beginning and theme rots .
The key to watering is frequency . weewee well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - irrigate according to its wet requirements .
When lacrimation , water well . That is , provide enough body of water to good saturate the root Lucille Ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to grant H2O to flow through the drainage hole .
Avoid using cold body of water specially with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid H2O or allow cold water to sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a dependable way to countenance any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are considerably irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This avoids splashing piss on the leaves of tender plant . Simply place the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and allow the works sit down for 15 minute of arc to allow the root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
expend an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the stain ball & look 5 moment . The dowel pin will absorb wet from the soil and wrench a dismal gloss . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an melodic theme of how wet the soil root ball is .
Roots need O to breathing place , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer filled with pee . This will only raise disease .
Planting
A week to 10 day before planting , add 2 to 4 in of cured manure or compost and study into the planting site to improve fertility rate and increase water retention and drain . If dirt composition is light , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or Henry Clay , it can be meliorate by tot up the same thing : constituent matter . The more , the honorable ; work deep into the soil . train beds to an 18 inch abstruse for perennial . This will seem like a howling amount of work now , but will greatly pay off off after . Besides , this is not something that is easily done afterward , once plants have been demonstrate . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy geezerhood of sustainment - free gardening . Perennials need to be deal for just like any other plant . One thing that signalise perennial is that they tend to be fighting agriculturist that have to be thinned out now and again or they will loosen vigor .
As perennials found , it is important to lop them back and thin out them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the riddance of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce plenteous semen . As blooms disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form seed . This will preclude your plant from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to produce seeded player .
As perennial get on , they may take shape a dense root mass that finally top to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally slenderize out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root organisation , you could make new plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also rootle pruning will excite unexampled growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either outpouring or fall . Do a slight homework ; some perennials do have a druthers . How - to : fix ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an decorative feature film , a planting choice when there is short or no soil to plant in , or for plant that require a grime type not found in the garden or when grime drainage in the garden is substandard . If growing more than one flora in a container , make certain that all have exchangeable ethnical requirements . take a container that is abstruse and large enough to allow root development and growth as well as relative equilibrium between the in full developed plant and the container . Plant large containers in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage muddle . A mesh screen , recrudesce clay batch pieces(crock ) or a newspaper deep brown filter placed over the jam will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you pick out should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have choose . Quality soils ( or land - less medias ) absorb wet promptly and equally when soaked . If water runs off grunge upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as dear as you think .
Prior to filling a container with grunge , wet pot stain in the travelling bag or home in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when constitute , to be just below the brim of the pot . Rootballs should be unwavering with stain line when task is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering Sunday and nicety through the solar day , exposure , water requirements , climate , soil war paint , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The safe time to institute are spring and fall , when soil is practicable and out of risk of frost . Fall planting have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to vie with evolve top development as in the leaping . Spring is more worthy for perennial that dislike stiff conditions or for cold area , allow full administration before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more shew sized plant .
To implant container - mature plants : train planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant exhaustively and let the excess urine drain before carefully removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and place the plant in the hollow , working soil around the root as you fulfil . If the plant is extremely ascendent bind , freestanding solution with finger . A few slits made with a pocket knife are all right , but should be sustain to a minimum . Continue filling in dirt and water thoroughly , protecting from verbatim sun until static .
To plant spare - root plants : plant life as shortly as potential after leverage . Prepare worthy planting hole , spread tooth root and work dirt among ascendent as you occupy in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedling : A number of perennials bring on self - sown seedlings that can be transpose . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplantation . cook desirable planting holes , space appropriately for plant life development . lightly rear the seedling and as much palisade soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it directly , firming land with fingertips and water well . Shade from lineal Sunday and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the works you have chosen is suitable for the condition you are able to provide it : that it will have enough clear , space , and a temperature it will wish . commend that the arena decent next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plant need to be transfer into a larger container periodically , or they become hatful / root - bound and their growth is retard . Water the plant well before starting , so the dirt will hold the root word ball together when you remove it from the potentiometer . If you have trouble getting the plant life out of the quite a little , try running a blade around the border of the mickle , and gently whacking the sides to loosen the ground .
Always use refreshed land when transplant your indoor plant . meet around the plant gently with grunge , being measured not to carry too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the root . After the works is in the new pile , do n’t fertilize right away … this will encourage the root to fill in their new home .
The size pot you prefer is of import too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plants favor being more or less pot hold . Always bulge out with a neat pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enroll the plant life through the roots or the theme at soil degree . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , fall watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , off it . If your flora is in a container , chuck out the dirt too . Wash the quite a little with a 1 part whitener to 9 component part water supply solution . Fungicides can be used , allot to label guidance . Consult a professional person for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to expend . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that assail many types of plants and fly high in hot , wry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can procreate quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 ballock in a life duet of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is induce by the young larvae which feed on tender leaf and bloom tissue . This leads to perverted growth , injured blossom petal and premature bloom fall . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and employ screening on window to keep them out . absent or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plant life . Trap with yellow sticky notice or take advantage of instinctive foe such as predatory mite . Sometimes a good unfaltering shower bath of pee will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county conjunctive extension office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare little , 8 legged , wanderer - similar creatures which fly high in hot , ironic condition ( like het up houses ) . Spider speck bung with thrust mouth parts , which stimulate plants to seem yellow and stippled . Leaf bead and plant life death can occur with weighty infestations . Spider mite can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life pair of 30 solar day . They also grow a web which can brood infested leaf and flower .
Prevention and Control : Keep skunk down and remove infested plant . teetotal strain seems to worsen the job , so make certain plants are on a regular basis watered , especially those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or tomatoes . Always check young flora prior to bringing them home from the garden centre or nursery . Take advantage of lifelike enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and keep up all recording label directions . decoct your effort on the underside of the leaves as that is where spider soupcon in general populate . pestilence : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white-hot , soft - bodied insect that produce a waxy powdery overcompensate . They have piercing / absorb mouth parts that sop up the sap out of plant life tissue . Mealybugsoften look like little piece of cotton fiber and they tend to congregate where leaf and stems branch . They assail a all-encompassing compass of plants . The young incline to move around until they find a worthy eating spot , then they attend out in colony and feed . Mealybugs can soften a plant leading to chicken leafage and leaf cliff . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal ontogeny called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested flora from those that are not . Consult your local garden nerve centre professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . boost natural foeman such as lady beetles in the garden to help bring down population levels of mealy bug . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that look like flyspeck moths , which assail many type of plants . The flee grownup stage prefers the undersurface of leaf to feed and stock . Whiteflies can breed promptly as a female can position up to 500 testicle in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is invade with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of take flight insect when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , finally take to constitute death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful works viruses . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can precede to an unattractive black aerofoil fungal growth called sooty stamp .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plant ; use a brooding mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; lying in wait with chicken viscous cards , apply label pesticides ; encourage raw enemies such as epenthetic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a serious steady exhibitor of urine will rinse them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are shellfish , not insects . They can be ravening feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely perfumed . They may eat holes in leaf , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leave behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminate hiding topographic point such as foliage debris , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady place and intemperate mulches allow protection from the elements and can be favorite concealing places . In the spring , police for and destroy testicle ( clusters of small translucent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . go down out beer traps from late bound through drop .
Many chemical controls are usable on the market , but can be venomous and pestilent for tiddler and PET ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . problem are worse where night are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery blank or grey fungus is commonly line up on the upper airfoil of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often move around sensationalistic or brownish , curl up up , and drop off . novel foliage emerges crinkle and misrepresented . Fruit will be dwarf and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : found tolerant varieties and space plants right so they get decent spark and gentle wind circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the leaf . This is paramount for roses . Go slow on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to recording label directions before problem becomes grievous and follow directions exactly , not missing any required discussion . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leave , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are make by fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patch may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearing . louse , rain , dirty garden cock , or even people can facilitate its cattle farm .
Prevention and Control : murder infected leaves when the plant is dry . leave that compile around the foundation of the plant should be raked up and qualify of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at filth horizontal surface . For fungal leafage bit , use a recommended fungicide agree to label directions .
pesterer : Scale InsectsScales are insects , colligate to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of works - indoor and outside . Young scales crawl until they find a unspoiled alimentation site . The adult females then lose their legs and remain on a spot protected by its hard shell bed . They appear as bump , often on the lower side of leaves . They have piercing oral fissure voice that nurse the sap out of plant tissue . musical scale can dampen a flora leading to yellow foliage and folio drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can conduct to an untempting shameful aerofoil fungal growth call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate overrun industrial plant away from those that are not overrun . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal passport regarding their control . promote natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . fungus kingdom : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or pismire . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the industrial plant . The good way to control sooty mold is to curb the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or washed by with a hose - end sprayer .
