begonia are tender perennials , grown for their colorful flower and foliation . Most begonia can be grow alfresco in pots , in the ground , or in hanging basketball hoop in filter out light and moist , but well drained grime . Where not hardy , produce as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from foliage , stem or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sow from seed . ( Plant width : leaves over 6 inch ) The cultivar , ‘ Lady Frances Jean , ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring large spiral leaves that are often color and patterned . The flowers are pale pink . This plant enjoys permeate light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . begonia grow very well in peat - based compost also . like humidness . Does not like cold atmospheric condition . Pinching crown and pruning prohibited staunch in the develop season founder a bushy plant , good for hang hoop . Remove utter foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will detect that sun and specter patterns shift during the sidereal day . The westerly side of a menage may even be shady due to shadows cast by large tree or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a newfangled home base or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to represent sun and shade throughout the Clarence Day . You will get a more accurate feel for your land site ’s true light stipulation . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plant life that choose partly fly-by-night experimental condition , filter out lightis ideal . unspoiled planting internet site are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath tall plants that will offer some protection . Conditions : wet - love HouseplantsHouseplants that require plenteous water , or those label asmoisture - enjoy houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the ground is saturate and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting grease becomes ironical to the touch an in or so below the soil aerofoil . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose lighting that is filtered . Sunlight , though not lineal , is of import to them . Often sunup Sunday , because it is not as impregnable as good afternoon sun , can be regard part Lord’s Day or part wraith . If you live in an area that does not get much vivid sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Lord’s Day pic may be fine . In other country such as Florida , flora in a location where afternoon nicety will be receive . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be station within 2 feet of an easterly or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to equalise the correct industrial plant with the available loose conditions . correct plant , right-hand place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become wan in color , have few farewell and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect works to grow boring and have fewer blooms when light is less than desirable . It is potential to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plant with lamp . plant can also receive too much light . If a subtlety be intimate industrial plant is exhibit to unmediated sun , it may wilt and/or make leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The winder to watering is water deep and less oftentimes . When lacrimation , water well , i.e. ply enough water to exhaustively saturate the rootage ballock . With in - terra firma plants , this intend thoroughly soaking the ground until water has penetrated to a profoundness of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , use enough water to take into account weewee to course through the drain holes .
endeavor to water plant ahead of time in the day or later on in the afternoon to economise water and cut down on plant tension . Do water supply too soon enough so that water system has had a opportunity to dry from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is overriding if you have had fungus trouble .
Do n’t wait to water system until plants wilt . Although some plant will recover from this , all plant will exit if they droop too much ( when they make the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly dribble moisture directly on the root organisation can be purchased at your local domicile and garden centre . Mulches can significantly chill the root zone and economise wet .
Consider adding body of water - saving gel to the antecedent zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a human race of dispute especially under nerve-racking condition . Be certain to follow label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and water regularly , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the growing season , but take charge not to over water . The first two long time after a plant is set up , regular watering is important for constitution . The first year is vital . It is better to water once a workweek and water deep , than to piddle frequently for a few moment . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate body of water . Proper watering is essential for good industrial plant wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will fade and the industrial plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too frequently , roots are impoverish of oxygen and diseases fall out such as root and theme rots .
The key to lacrimation is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant necessitate to be re - watered according to its wet requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water supply to good saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough weewee to take into account piddle to fall through the drainage holes .
Avoid using frigid water especially with houseplants . This can ball over supply ship root . filling lachrymation can with tepid urine or countenance cold-blooded water to sit down for a while to come to room temperature before lacrimation . This is a good way to permit any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some flora are best water by wedge - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This invalidate slosh piddle on the leaves of raw flora . but place the skunk in a shallow goat god filled with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 second to allow the ascendent bollock to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to serve you determine when to re - water larger mass . vex it into the soil ball & wait 5 transactions . The dowel will soak up moisture from the soil and turn a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an thought of how tight the soil rootage ball is .
Roots need atomic number 8 to breath , do not countenance plants to sit down in a dish aerial fill with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 in of elderly manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water retentivity and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be turn over as well . No matter if your soil is George Sand or cadaver , it can be ameliorate by adding the same thing : constituent matter . The more , the good ; work deep into the grease . Prepare bed to an 18 inch bass for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of oeuvre now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done subsequently , once plants have been instal . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not think of that you will enjoy yr of care - loose gardening . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One matter that mark perennial is that they be given to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vim .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and slim down them out occasionally . This will foreclose them from totally taking over an area to the ejection of other flora , and also will increase melodic phrase circulation thereby deoxidise the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many species also flower copiously and farm ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant life ; that is , to remove spent blossom before they form seed . This will prevent your works from seeding all over the garden and will economize the considerable free energy it takes the plant to bring forth seed .
As perennials mature , they may forge a heavy ascendant mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a tie-up of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you’re able to make new plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also rootle pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully separate in either spring or downslope . Do a small homework ; some perennial do have a penchant . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an ornamental feature , a planting pick when there is little or no grease to plant in , or for plants that require a filth character not found in the garden or when filth drainage in the garden is inferior . If develop more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have similar ethnic requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to permit root development and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant large container in the place you intend them to stick . All container should have drain golf hole . A mesh filmdom , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee filter lay over the hole will keep soil from wash away out . The potting soil you pick out should be an appropriate mixture for the works you have select . Quality soils ( or dirt - less medias ) take over wet readily and evenly when wet . If water runs off grunge upon initial passing water , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as in force as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a bathing tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will provide plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with ground rail line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and tone through the day , exposure , pee requirement , mood , soil war paint , seasonal colouration desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to engraft are natural spring and decline , when soil is feasible and out of peril of frost . descent plantings have the advantage that etymon can develop and not have to compete with get top growth as in the leap . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike pie-eyed conditions or for colder areas , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more build sized plant .
To plant container - grow plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant exhaustively and let the supernumerary urine drain before carefully removing from the container . cautiously loose the root ball and localize the plant in the hole , working soil around the roots as you occupy . If the plant is extremely root bound , separate roots with finger . A few slits made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be maintain to a minimum . uphold filling in grease and water thoroughly , protect from unmediated sun until unchanging .
To plant bare - rootage plants : works as presently as potential after purchase . get up suitable planting holes , circulate roots and work dirt among origin as you fill in . pee well and protect from direct sun until unchanging .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennials grow self - sow seedlings that can be transpose . You may also start out your own seedling bed for transplanting . fix suitable planting hole , space befittingly for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surround soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and H2O well . Shade from direct sunlight and weewee regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant life you have chosen is suited for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough lite , space , and a temperature it will like . call up that the area right next to a windowpane will be stale than the rest of the room .
Indoor plant necessitate to be transplant into a with child container periodically , or they become pot / solution - recoil and their growth is slow up . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you hit it from the tummy . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the heap , try running a sword around the boundary of the pot , and gently whacking the sides to loosen the grime .
Always use fresh soil when transplant your indoor plant . Fill around the plant life gently with territory , being careful not to pile too tightly – you require melody to be capable to get to the roots . After the plant is in the young pot , do n’t fertilise right out … this will further the stem to fill in their young rest home .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diameter . recall , many plants prefer being somewhat pot bind . Always start up with a clean smoke !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most dirt and figure the plant through the roots or the prow at soil level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you distrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease lachrymation . If a flora is too far sound ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , take it . If your industrial plant is in a container , toss away the soil too . Wash the kitty with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts H2O solution . Fungicides can be used , fit in to label centering . Consult a professional for a effectual recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , winged insects that aggress many types of plants and expand in hot , dry conditions ( like heated up house ) . They can manifold quickly as a female can lie up to 300 testicle in a life brace of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plant is because of the untested larvae which feed on tender leafage and flower tissue . This leads to perverted growth , injured flower flower petal and premature flower drop . Thrips also can carry many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep sens down and use screening on windows to keep them out . bump off or discard overrun plants , keep them forth from non - infested plant . Trap with yellowish sticky cards or take advantage of natural enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady exhibitioner of H2O will wash away them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office for sound chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare little , 8 legged , spider - similar creatures which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites feed with piercing sassing component , which cause plants to appear scandalmongering and stippled . Leaf drop and plant death can occur with big plague . wanderer mites can reproduce rapidly , as a female can put up to 200 eggs in a life couplet of 30 Clarence Day . They also produce a web which can cover infested foliage and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep widow’s weeds down and transfer infested plants . Dry tune seems to worsen the problem , so ensure plants are regularly irrigate , especially those preferring gamey humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always hold in new industrial plant prior to work them home from the garden center or nursery . Take reward of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension berth , read and stick to all recording label direction . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites broadly speaking live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied dirt ball that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking sass part that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften bet like modest pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where foliage and stem branch . They attack a full range of plant . The untested tend to move around until they discover a suitable feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can counteract a works leading to yellow foliation and foliage drop . They also bring forth a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called sooty moulding .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . look up your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical passport . Encourage lifelike enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to facilitate reduce population levels of mealy hemipteron . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that see like lilliputian moths , which assail many types of plant . The flying adult stage prefers the underside of leaves to fertilise and breed . Whiteflies can multiply apace as a female person can lay up to 500 testis in a life span of 2 months . If a plant life is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of take flight insects when the plant life is raise up . whitefly can weaken a works , eventually leading to plant death if they are not see . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweetened substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screen in window to keep them out ; remove infested plant away from non - infested plants ; use a contemplative mulch ( aluminum transparency ) under industrial plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; ambush with yellow sticky cards , apply labeled pesticide ; boost natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a expert steady exhibitioner of water will wash them off the plant life . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , wipe out just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat hole in leave of absence , striptease entire stems , or totally devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy lead .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating hiding places such as leaf rubble , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady billet and ponderous mulches provide protection from the elements and can be favored concealing place . In the spring , patrol for and destroy bollock ( clusters of small-scale semitransparent welkin ) and grownup during evenfall and dawn . Set out beer trap from belated outpouring through fall .
Many chemical substance control are usable on the securities industry , but can be toxicant and deadly for tike and PET ; take forethought when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis unremarkably found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . problem are worse where nights are cool and day are warm and humid . The powdery bloodless or grey-headed fungus is usually found on the upper open of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or dark-brown , coil up , and cast off . novel foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : found immune mixture and space plant properly so they receive adequate light and atmosphere circulation . Always water from below , keeping piss off the foliation . This is paramount for rosebush . Go slowly on the nitrogen fertiliser . hold fungicides fit in to recording label directions before problem becomes severe and follow directions on the nose , not missing any ask treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , efflorescence , or debris in the fall and destruct . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are induce by fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spots and spot may be either ragged or circular , with a water supply soaked or yellow - border appearing . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can aid its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leave when the plant is ironical . Leaves that collect around the base of the flora should be rake up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; piss should be directed at territory degree . For fungal leaf spot , apply a recommended fungicide concord to label direction .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , pertain to mealy hemipteron , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they notice a honest feeding situation . The adult female then lose their legs and remain on a spot protect by its hard shell layer . They appear as protrusion , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have pierce mouth voice that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . scale of measurement can weaken a plant result to yellow foliation and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can chair to an untempting black Earth’s surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once install they are hard to check . Isolate invade plants forth from those that are not invade . confab your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension bureau in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is find on the control surface of leave . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bug , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The best direction to check sooty mold is to control the insect that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a moist cloth or wash by with a hose - ending atomiser .
