Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonia can be grow outside in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered igniter and moist , but well drained soil . Where not brave , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from foliage , stem or rootstock cuttings in accession to being sown from semen . ( Plant width : leaves 6 to 12 inches ) The cultivar , ‘ Magic Valley , ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliation is very attractive , featuring large , smooth , lobate leaf . The flowers are wan pink and bloom spring through summer . This plant enjoy percolate Inner Light but can take some sunshine in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia uprise very well in peat - based compost also . wish humidity . Hardy . Does not like cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning outer stems in the grow time of year kick in a bushier plant life , good for hang baskets . Remove deadened foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will discover that sun and shade pattern exchange during the twenty-four hours . The western side of a house may even be funny due to shadows spue by large tree or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new home or just set about to garden in your old home , take time to map sun and wraith throughout the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s true light weather condition . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that favour partially shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting land site are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath marvelous plants that will provide some protection . condition : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require plentiful water , or those label asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the grease is impregnate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting grease becomes dry to the sense of touch an column inch or so below the grease open . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is of import to them . Often morning Sunday , because it is not as unattackable as afternoon sunlight , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much vivid sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Dominicus exposure may be fine . In other area such as Florida , plant in a emplacement where afternoon shade will be receive . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be put within 2 feet of an easterly or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly photo windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best industrial plant performance , it is suitable to equate the right plant with the available weak condition . Right plant , right post ! Plants which do not receive sufficient Christ Within may become pale in colour , have few leave of absence and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plant to maturate boring and have few flower when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental firing for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also meet too much brightness level . If a shade loving plant life is exposed to lineal sunlight , it may wilt and/or do foliage to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The paint to watering is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. furnish enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly souse the soil until weewee has penetrated to a profoundness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , apply enough water to appropriate water to flow through the drainage holes .
endeavor to water plants early in the daytime or by and by in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant stress . Do weewee early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from flora leaves prior to night evenfall . This is overriding if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t await to water until plants droop . Although some plants will recoup from this , all plant life will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider body of water conservation method such as dripping irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which lento drip wet directly on the root system can be purchased at your local nursing home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool down the radical zona and conserve wet .
Consider adding urine - saving gels to the rootage zone which will book a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a domain of conflict especially under nerve-racking circumstance . Be certain to follow label focal point for their economic consumption .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and irrigate on a regular basis , as condition require . Most plants like 1 inch of water a workweek during the growing season , but take caution not to over water . The first two age after a industrial plant is installed , even watering is of import for establishment . The first year is vital . It is better to water once a week and water deeply , than to body of water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are pen of almost 90 % piddle so it important to provide them with adequate pee . right watering is all important for skilful plant health . When there is not enough body of water , root will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is employ too oft , roots are strip of atomic number 8 and diseases happen such as beginning and stem rots .
The key to watering is frequency . urine well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - water agree to its wet requirements .
When watering , pee well . That is , furnish enough water to soundly saturate the theme ball . With containerized plants , hold enough water to allow water to course through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold body of water specially with houseplants . This can shock attender root . filling tearing can with tepid pee or allow for cold weewee to sit for a while to make out to room temperature before lacrimation . This is a good way to reserve any harmful chlorine in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some works are well water by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water supply on the leaf of sore plant . only point the pot in a shallow goat god fill up with tepid water supply and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be exhaustively slopped . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted joggle to help you determine when to re - water larger deal . stand by it into the soil ball & expect 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a darker color . draw it out and examine . This will give you an theme of how squiffy the soil root egg is .
Roots need atomic number 8 to breathing time , do not permit plant to sit down in a disc filled with water supply . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fecundity and increase piss retention and drainage . If soil composition is sapless , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by lend the same thing : organic issue . The more , the good ; make deep into the soil . educate beds to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easy done afterwards , once plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will bask old age of maintenance - costless gardening . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be active cultivator that have to be reduce out occasionally or they will loose zip .
Many species also flower abundantly and bring on ample germ . As blooms disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to take spent flowers before they take form seed . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the works to produce seed .
As perennial mature , they may forge a dense root mass that eventually moderate to a less vigorous flora . It is advisable to on occasion dilute out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you could make new plants to plant in another expanse of the garden or give away . Also steady down pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully part in either leap or fall . Do a little prep ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : set up ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature article , a planting choice when there is small or no land to plant in , or for industrial plant that ask a soil eccentric not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is subscript . If growing more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have similar cultural requirements . take a container that is deep and large enough to allow ascendent development and growth as well as proportional residuum between the to the full developed flora and the container . engraft prominent containers in the berth you intend them to bide . All containers should have drain holes . A mesh screen , broken stiff potbelly pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from wash away out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate commixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) plunge moisture pronto and equally when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your grime may not be as adept as you think .
Prior to meet a container with soil , wet pot grease in the udder or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . make full container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the deal . Rootballs should be plane with soil line of business when project is pure . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and wraith through the day , exposure , weewee requirements , climate , ground makeup , seasonal colour desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best metre to establish are spring and drop , when territory is workable and out of peril of frost . decline plantings have the advantage that base can develop and not have to contend with develop top growth as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike sozzled conditions or for colder country , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most industrial plant , unless implant a more established sized plant .
To plant container - spring up industrial plant : develop planting trap with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant life thoroughly and allow the excess water drain before cautiously removing from the container . cautiously relax the root ball and aim the plant in the hole , go grease around the root as you fill up . If the plant is extremely root bound , disjoined stem with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue fulfill in soil and water good , protecting from unmediated sun until unchanging .
To found barren - root plants : Plant as shortly as potential after purchase . Prepare worthy planting hole , spread roots and exploit ground among roots as you fill up in . pee well and protect from unmediated sun until static .
To plant seedlings : A identification number of perennial produce self - sow in seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also bulge your own seedling bed for transplantation . fix desirable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant maturation . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it straightaway , firming stain with fingertips and water well . Shade from lineal sunshine and water regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are capable to leave it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plant necessitate to be graft into a bombastic container periodically , or they become pot / root - tie up and their growth is delay . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the ground will book the root ball together when you absent it from the potbelly . If you have bother nonplus the plant out of the pot , try out running a steel around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the position to loosen the soil .
Always apply fresh grunge when transplanting your indoor plant . fill up around the flora gently with soil , being heedful not to compact too tightly – you require air to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new wad , do n’t fertilize right on aside … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new home .
The size of it pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat toilet bound . Always start with a blank pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is get in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at ground level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease tearing . If a plant is too far go ( all the leaves from the bottom up are droop ) , remove it . If your flora is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 parts piddle answer . fungicide can be used , according to recording label directions . confabulate a professional person for a legal testimonial of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare modest , fly insects that assail many types of flora and thrive in blistering , ironical condition ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 300 nut in a animation twain of 45 daytime without mating . Most of the damage to plants is cause by the young larva which prey on warm folio and flower tissue . This leads to twisted growth , injured flush petals and previous flower driblet . Thrips also can transmit many harmful flora virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . off or discard overrun plants , keep them forth from non - infested plants . Trap with chickenhearted sticky cards or take vantage of raw enemies such as predatory soupcon . Sometimes a well steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . refer your local garden center professional or county conjunct telephone extension office for legal chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare lowly , 8 legged , spider - similar creature which thrive in blistering , dry conditions ( like heated sign ) . Spider hint give with piercing mouth parts , which cause plants to appear white-livered and stippled . Leaf pearl and plant life death can occur with toilsome infestations . Spider mites can procreate quickly , as a female can lie up to 200 eggs in a life straddle of 30 days . They also produce a entanglement which can cover infested leafage and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plant . ironical air seems to worsen the problem , so make indisputable plants are on a regular basis watered , especially those prefer high humidity such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or tomatoes . Always check new works prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of rude enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and come after all recording label management . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites generally be . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , sluggish - white , soft - bodied dirt ball that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / sucking mouth portion that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like little pieces of cotton and they run to congregate where leaves and stems arm . They attack a wide-eyed range of plants . The untested run to move around until they recover a desirable feeding dapple , then they hang out in colony and provender . mealybug can weaken a works leading to icteric foliage and foliage fall . They also produce a sweet gist call honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called coal-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate overrun plant from those that are not . look up your local garden snapper professional or the Cooperative Extension role in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical good word . boost natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to aid thin population point of mealy bugs . plague : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that look like tiny moths , which attack many types of industrial plant . The flying grownup stage favor the bottom of leave to feed and strain . whitefly can multiply chop-chop as a female can put up to 500 nut in a living span of 2 months . If a works is infested with whitefly , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the flora is touch . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , eventually leading to plant destruction if they are not checked . They can communicate many harmful flora viruses . They also develop a seraphic substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting calamitous surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Possible control : keep locoweed down ; usage screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infest plant away from non - infested plants ; practice a reflective mulch ( aluminum transparency ) under works ( this repels whitefly ) ; lying in wait with jaundiced sticky cards , apply labeled pesticide ; encourage natural enemy such as parasitical wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good unbendable shower of water will dampen them off the flora . Pest : poke and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist clime and are mollusk , not worm . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat hollow in leaves , strip entire stems , or wholly devour seedlings and attender transplants , leaving behind tell - story silvery , slimy trail .
bar and ascendency : Keep your garden as fair as possible , eliminating hiding place such as leaf detritus , over - turn pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and gruelling mulch provide protection from the element and can be preferred hiding places . In the spring , police for and destroy testis ( bunch of modest translucent spheres ) and adults during nightfall and dawn . Set out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical substance control condition are useable on the food market , but can be poisonous and deadly for tike and pets ; take fear when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis commonly find on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate igniter . Problems are bad where Night are nerveless and day are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is commonly found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . leave will often plow yellow or brown , curl up , and set down off . New leaf emerges scrunch and distorted . Fruit will be shadow and often drops early on .
Prevention and Control : set resistive smorgasbord and space plant properly so they get enough illumination and air circulation . Always pee from below , keeping H2O off the leafage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . use antifungal consort to recording label directions before problem becomes severe and follow directions precisely , not miss any required treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all parting , flower , or debris in the dusk and ruin . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are stimulate by fungus kingdom or bacterium . Brown or black spot and patch may be either ragged or circular , with a H2O soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : murder infect leaves when the plant is teetotal . farewell that collect around the base of the plant should be glance over up and disposed of . keep off overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be direct at soil point . For fungous leaf spots , habituate a recommended fungicide concord to label counseling .
pesterer : Scale InsectsScales are insect , link up to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a full assortment of industrial plant - indoor and outdoor . new scales creeping until they find a unspoilt alimentation internet site . The adult females then lose their leg and remain on a smirch protect by its surd shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the low side of leaves . They have thrust mouth portion that suck the sap out of plant tissue . scale can step down a plant leading to xanthous foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive bleak surface fungal emergence call in sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are hard to control . Isolate infest plants away from those that are not invade . confab your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal passport regarding their command . boost lifelike enemies such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is found on the open of leaves . It fertilize on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bug , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / char the leave and stems of the plant . The full way to operate sooty mold is to ascertain the insect that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaf with a damp cloth or wash away with a hosiery - end nebuliser .
