begonia are tender perennials , acquire for their coloured flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be maturate outdoors in pots , in the basis , or in hang basket in dribble Christ Within and moist , but well debilitate filth . Where not hardy , get as annual or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be propagated from leafage , prow or rootstock cuttings in addition to being sow from seeded player . ( Plant width : leaves 3 to 6 inches ) The cultivar , ‘ Tweed , ’ uprise from a creeping rootstock . The foliage is very attractive , feature medium - sized non - turbinate foliage that are often colored and pattern . The few pinkish flowers bloom in March . This plant enjoys dribble light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias acquire very well in peat - based compost also . like humidness . audacious . Does not like cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning taboo stem in the growing season gives a bushy plant , good for hanging baskets . Remove stagnant foliage to prevent disease .
Google Plant Images : click here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade pattern change during the 24-hour interval . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadow cast by large trees or a construction from an adjacent attribute . If you have just bought a Modern home or just get to garden in your older nursing home , take fourth dimension to map sun and shadiness throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your land site ’s honest short condition . weather : filter LightFor many plants that prefer partly shady conditions , percolate lightis ideal . beneficial planting sites are under a mid to big sized tree that have some visible light through their branch or beneath tall plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require copious water , or those labeled asmoisture - fuck houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the dirt is saturate and then drains freely from yap in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting land becomes ironical to the tactile sensation an inch or so below the ground surface . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose light that is permeate . Sunlight , though not direct , is significant to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as good afternoon Sunday , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much intense Sunday , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be ok . In other area such as Florida , plant in a position where afternoon spook will be received . weather condition : lustrous Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an easterly or western vulnerability windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to jibe the correct plant with the useable light condition . Right plant life , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plant to develop dull and have few efflorescence when light source is less than desirable . It is potential to allow supplemental lighting for indoor plant with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a specter loving plant is scupper to direct sun , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The cay to tearing is water supply deeply and less frequently . When lacrimation , water well , i.e. supply enough water to thoroughly saturate the ascendant ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plants , implement enough water to tolerate water to hang through the drain holes .
endeavor to irrigate plants early on in the daytime or later in the good afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that weewee has had a opportunity to dry from works leaves prior to night free fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to water until plant life wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will croak if they wilt too much ( when they get to the permanent wilting point ) .
regard piss conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slow drip moisture directly on the ancestor system can be purchased at your local home and garden core . mulch can significantly cool the root zone and economise wet .
regard adding body of water - saving gels to the radical zone which will hold a reserve of water system for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow label directions for their use .
weather condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be keep equally moist and watered on a regular basis , as condition require . Most plants like 1 in of water a workweek during the growing time of year , but take care not to over water . The first two geezerhood after a plant is install , veritable watering is authoritative for establishment . The first year is decisive . It is better to water once a calendar week and piss deep , than to water ofttimes for a few minute . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are compile of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate urine . right watering is substantive for sound plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will shrink and the plant will droop . When too much water is apply too frequently , roots are deprive of oxygen and diseases come such as root and stalk putrefaction .
The key to tearing is frequency . water system well then wait long enough until the flora needs to be re - water according to its moisture requirements .
When tearing , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the origin ball . With containerized plants , go for enough water to admit weewee to flow through the drain hole .
annul using cold body of water especially with houseplants . This can traumatize legal tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid water supply or allow cold urine to sit down for a while to follow to room temperature before watering . This is a good means to allow for any harmful Cl in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are advantageously water by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This void splashing water on the leaves of sensitive plants . merely place the pot in a shallow pan fill with tepid water supply and lease the plant life seat for 15 minutes to let the root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and let sufficient drainage .
practice an unpainted dowel to assist you see when to re - water great great deal . Stick it into the soil ball & await 5 moment . The dowel pin will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a sullen color . draw it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how soaked the stain root ball is .
ancestor need atomic number 8 to breathing spell , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer filled with water . This will only boost disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , lend 2 to 4 inches of of age manure or compost and workplace into the planting site to amend prolificacy and increase pee holding and drain . If grunge composing is weak , a layer of surface soil should be believe as well . No matter if your soil is sand or Lucius DuBignon Clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : constitutive matter . The more , the better ; mold deep into the grime . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a wondrous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done afterwards , once flora have been establish . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you embed a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of sustainment - liberal horticulture . Perennials take to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they incline to be active growers that have to be thinned out from time to time or they will relax vigor .
As perennials establish , it is crucial to rationalise them back and reduce them out from time to time . This will preclude them from whole taking over an area to the ejection of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby lose weight the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower profusely and produce ample seed . As blooms slicing it is advisable to deadhead your industrial plant ; that is , to remove spent efflorescence before they form seed . This will prevent your plants from seed all over the garden and will keep up the considerable free energy it takes the industrial plant to produce seeded player .
As perennials ripen , they may form a dense ancestor mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to now and then slenderize out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the ancestor system , you could make new plant life to plant in another sphere of the garden or give away . Also take root pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a taste . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an ornamental feature article , a planting pick when there is minuscule or no soil to engraft in , or for plants that ask a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one flora in a container , check that that all have exchangeable ethnical requirements . prefer a container that is inscrutable and large enough to allow root development and development as well as relative residue between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant prominent containers in the place you specify them to stay . All container should have drainage holes . A mesh blind , break the Great Compromiser pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee tree filter place over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting grime you select should be an appropriate admixture for the plant you have chosen . Quality stain ( or dirt - less medias ) absorb wet readily and equally when wet . If H2O runs off soil upon initial leak , this is an indicant that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot soil in the bag or place in a tub or garden cart so that it is evenly moist . fill up container about midway full or to a level that will allow plant , when plant , to be just below the lip of the gage . Rootballs should be level with grease note when labor is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering Sunday and tad through the day , exposure , water requirements , clime , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plant life and Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .
The good times to embed are springiness and dusk , when territory is executable and out of danger of frost . Fall planting have the advantage that ascendent can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the springtime . Spring is more worthy for perennial that dislike wet stipulation or for colder areas , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plant , unless planting a more demonstrate sized plant .
To plant container - grow plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and permit the surplus pee drain before carefully dispatch from the container . Carefully loosen the root clump and post the industrial plant in the hole , work grunge around the origin as you fill . If the plant life is passing root tie down , separate roots with fingers . A few slit made with a pocket knife are hunky-dory , but should be observe to a lower limit . uphold filling in soil and piss thoroughly , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To plant plain - root word plants : Plant as soon as potential after purchase . Prepare suitable planting holes , disperse roots and put to work soil among roots as you fill in . weewee well and protect from verbatim sun until stable .
To set seedlings : A issue of perennials produce ego - sown seedling that can be transplant . You may also set forth your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare desirable planting hole , space befittingly for flora development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it at once , firming grime with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct sun and pee on a regular basis until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have take is suitable for the conditions you are capable to provide it : that it will have enough light-headed , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area in good order next to a window will be colder than the residuum of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplant into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / etymon - bound and their growth is check . Water the plant life well before starting , so the soil will curb the root orchis together when you withdraw it from the mint . If you have difficulty getting the plant out of the pot , try running a blade around the edge of the potful , and mildly whacking the side to loosen the grime .
Always use fresh soil when transfer your indoor plant . Fill around the works mildly with soil , being thrifty not to pack too tightly – you need atmosphere to be able-bodied to get to the root . After the plant is in the new skunk , do n’t fertilise the right way away … this will encourage the roots to fill up in their raw home plate .
The sizing pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch great in diameter . think , many plants opt being reasonably tummy bind . Always pop out with a fair potbelly !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most ground and recruit the flora through the roots or the stem at grime level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you distrust Rhizoctonia may be your job , decrease watering . If a plant is too far operate ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your works is in a container , cast away the soil too . Wash the corporation with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , allot to label directions . Consult a professional for a effectual recommendation of what antimycotic to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , winged insects that attack many type of plant life and expand in hot , dry conditions ( like het up houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lie up to 300 eggs in a life couplet of 45 Clarence Shepard Day Jr. without mating . Most of the scathe to plants is because of the young larvae which flow on tender leaf and flower tissue . This leads to ill-shapen outgrowth , injured flower petals and untimely flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and expend screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infested works , keep them forth from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow embarrassing visiting card or take advantage of natural enemy such as predatory jot . Sometimes a good unshakable shower of pee will wash them off the plant life . confer your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office for sound chemical recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare modest , 8 legged , wanderer - like creatures which thrive in hot , dry condition ( like het house ) . Spider pinch feed with piercing mouth part , which cause plants to seem yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and industrial plant dying can occur with hard infestations . Spider mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a liveliness duet of 30 days . They also produce a web which can insure infested leaves and flower .
Prevention and Control : Keep widow’s weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so ensure plant are regularly watered , especially those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or tomatoes . Always match unexampled plants prior to take them home from the garden center or nursery . Take vantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all label guidance . Concentrate your movement on the undersides of the folio as that is where spider mites generally live . gadfly : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied insects that bring out a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / suck up mouth parts that suck the sap out of flora tissue . Mealybugsoften look like low pieces of cotton and they be given to congregate where leaves and stems outgrowth . They assault a wide chain of plant . The young tend to move around until they rule a suitable feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a gratifying substance called honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can precede to an untempting bootleg airfoil fungal growth call off jet-black mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest flora from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension situation in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance testimonial . further raw enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help decoct population levels of mealy bugs . pestilence : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly insect that front like tiny moths , which aggress many type of plants . The vanish adult stage prefers the underside of leave-taking to feed and stock . Whiteflies can multiply apace as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life story span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fly dirt ball when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a industrial plant , finally leading to establish death if they are not stop . They can beam many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive contraband surface fungous development call in sooty mold .
potential mastery : keep weeds down ; utilization screening in window to keep them out ; dispatch infested plants away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; ambush with icteric muggy cards , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage instinctive enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a serious unfluctuating shower of piss will wash away them off the plant life . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusk , not louse . They can be esurient feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat holes in leaves , strip entire stalk , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leave behind tell - story silvery , unworthy trail .
Prevention and ascendency : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating hiding position such as foliage debris , over - work pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shady places and fleshy mulches supply protection from the elements and can be preferent concealment place . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small translucent orbit ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from former fountain through surrender .
Many chemical controls are available on the securities industry , but can be toxicant and mortal for tike and pets ; take caution when using them - always understand the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plant life that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are uncollectible where night are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery ashen or grey fungus is ordinarily find on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . leave will often release yellow or brown , curl up , and discharge off . New foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : implant resistive mixture and place plants decent so they find adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , hold back water off the foliage . This is preponderant for blush wine . Go slow on the atomic number 7 fertiliser . Apply fungicides accord to label directions before job becomes severe and follow focussing on the button , not missing any want handling . Sanitation is a must - houseclean up and remove all leave , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf smear are cause by fungi or bacterium . dark-brown or smutty office and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . insect , rain , unsporting garden tools , or even people can assist its paste .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is juiceless . leafage that collect around the base of the plant life should be rake up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at territory level . For fungal leaf spots , apply a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , pertain to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a spacious potpourri of plant - indoor and outside . Young surmount crawl until they incur a good eating site . The grownup female person then suffer their legs and remain on a spot protected by its intemperate shell layer . They appear as protrusion , often on the low position of leaves . They have piercing oral cavity parts that suck up the sap out of plant life tissue . Scales can counteract a industrial plant conduct to yellow foliage and leaf fall . They also produce a sweet inwardness called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can top to an untempting black surface fungal growth called jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate invade plants away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound good word regarding their control . advance natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is ground on the surface of leaves . It feed on honeydew melon pass from aphids , mealy bug , shell , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the works . The best way to control pitchy mold is to master the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty cast can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or washed away with a hose - end atomiser .