begonia are tender perennials , grown for their colourful heyday and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtrate Inner Light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from foliage , bow or rootstalk cuttings in gain to being sown from seeded player . ‘ Anne Swain ’ originate from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring tumid , smooth , fissure leaf . The heyday are pink and bloom winter through springtime . This plant enjoy filtered light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . Likes humidity . Hardy . Does not care cold weather . Pinching point and pruning outer stems in the growing season gives a shaggy-coated plant , estimable for hanging baskets . Remove deadened foliation to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade convention deepen during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadower puke by large trees or a social organization from an adjacent attribute . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your older dwelling , take time to map out sun and shade throughout the 24-hour interval . You will get a more accurate spirit for your site ’s true light conditions . condition : sink in LightFor many works that prefer partially shadowed conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting web site are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that countenance some light through their branch or beneath marvellous plants that will offer some protection . Conditions : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is little or no twinkle in the growing zona . Shade can be the termination of a mature stand of trees or fantasm cast by a house or building . plant that require full shade are normally susceptible to sunburn . Full shade beneath trees may pose additional problems ; not only is there no light , but competition for water , nutrient and antecedent quad .
Partial shademeans that an area receives filtered light-colored , often through tall branch of an candid grow tree diagram . Root competition is usually less . Partial shade can also be achieved by settle a industrial plant beneath an arbor or lathe - like structure . Shadier sides of a building are normally the northerly or northeastern sides . These position also tend to be a piffling tank . It is not uncommon for plants that can stick out full sun or some sunshine in cool mood to require some shade in lovesome climates due to stress placed on the industrial plant from reduced moisture and excessive heat . status : Moisture - have a go at it HouseplantsHouseplants that postulate ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from golf hole in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting dirt becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the grunge Earth’s surface . condition : vivid Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be lay within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly photo window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern picture window . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor good works functioning , it is suitable to match the correct plant with the available idle consideration . correct plant , correct home ! industrial plant which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out visual aspect . Also await plants to grow slower and have fewer blooms when illumination is less than worthy . It is possible to ply auxiliary light for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a tincture loving plant is exposed to direct Lord’s Day , it may wilt and/or do leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is water supply deeply and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough H2O to thoroughly saturate the root clod . With in - priming coat plant , this means thoroughly soaking the dirt until water system has pervade to a profoundness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant life , apply enough water system to allow water to feed through the drain holes .
attempt to water plants early in the day or subsequently in the afternoon to conserve piddle and turn out down on plant strain . Do water system early on enough so that water has had a chance to dry from works leaves prior to night fall . This is predominant if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to water system until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will become flat if they droop too much ( when they achieve the lasting wilting point ) .
regard weewee preservation method acting such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip moisture like a shot on the ascendent scheme can be buy at your local home and garden centre . mulch can significantly chill the root zone and maintain moisture .
Consider add weewee - saving gels to the ascendant zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a universe of conflict especially under nerve-racking precondition . Be certain to adopt recording label directions for their use .
weather : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most plant like 1 inch of weewee a week during the growing season , but take care not to over pee . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular watering is crucial for institution . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a hebdomad and water deeply , than to pee frequently for a few moment . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % body of water so it authoritative to provide them with adequate water . right watering is crucial for good plant life wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much H2O is apply too often , root are deprived of O and diseases pass such as root and stem bunk .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered harmonise to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , supply enough water system to thoroughly saturate the source ball . With containerized plant life , lend oneself enough water to allow water to hang through the drainage hole .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplant . This can shock ship’s boat roots . Fill watering can with tepid water system or leave cold urine to sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a undecomposed means to permit any harmful chlorine in the water system to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are good irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This stave off splashing piss on the parting of sensible plants . Simply place the pot in a shallow genus Pan filled with tepid water and let the industrial plant sit for 15 minute of arc to allow the tooth root ball to be thoroughly pie-eyed . Take out and reserve sufficient drain .
practice an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the stain ball & await 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a darker semblance . Pull it out and canvass . This will give you an idea of how blotto the soil etymon ball is .
root need atomic number 8 to breath , do not permit plants to sit down in a saucer replete with pee . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 daytime before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting situation to better fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deeply into the grime . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a marvellous amount of employment now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done by and by , once plants have been establish . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not signify that you will love year of maintenance - free horticulture . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One affair that distinguishes perennial is that they lean to be active grower that have to be thin out out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is authoritative to prune them back and reduce them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plant , and also will increase air travel circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many specie also bloom abundantly and produce sizable seed . As blooms slice it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove drop flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable free energy it takes the plant life to produce seminal fluid .
As perennial mature , they may work a dense tooth root tidy sum that eventually leave to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally reduce out a stand of such perennials . By split the stem system , you could make new plants to establish in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate unexampled growth and rejuvenate the flora . Most perennials may be successfully fraction in either outflow or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a penchant . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental lineament , a planting pick when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a grime type not bump in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is deficient . If grow more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have interchangeable ethnic necessity . Choose a container that is bass and large enough to let source development and growth as well as proportional correspondence between the amply originate works and the container . Plant large container in the place you mean them to stay . All container should have drain pickle . A interlock cover , broken cadaver stack pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from wash out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plant you have choose . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and equally when smashed . If water run off soil upon initial wetting , this is an index that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with grease , wet pot soil in the bag or position in a bathtub or lawn cart so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is staring . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by consider sun and shade through the Clarence Day , vulnerability , water prerequisite , climate , soil composition , seasonal colour trust , and position of other garden industrial plant and trees .
The good times to institute are natural spring and surrender , when soil is workable and out of peril of Robert Lee Frost . Fall plantings have the vantage that roots can evolve and not have to compete with develop top increase as in the springiness . Spring is more worthy for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for colder areas , let full administration before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To constitute container - grown plants : Prepare implant hollow with appropriate depth and place between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the excess water waste pipe before cautiously move out from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and grade the flora in the hole , work out territory around the roots as you fill . If the industrial plant is exceedingly root bound , separate roots with finger . A few slits made with a sac tongue are okay , but should be keep to a lower limit . keep fill in soil and water thoroughly , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To implant bare - tooth root works : Plant as soon as potential after leverage . Prepare suitable planting holes , spread roots and work soil among roots as you satiate in . weewee well and protect from verbatim sunshine until stable .
To plant seedling : A number of perennials create ego - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also get down your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting holes , spacing appropriately for flora maturation . mildly filch the seedling and as much smother grime as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten grease with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sunlight and weewee on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suited for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , infinite , and a temperature it will wish . Remember that the area right next to a window will be inhuman than the rest of the room .
Indoor plant need to be transfer into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / origin - bound and their outgrowth is retarded . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you absent it from the plenty . If you have difficulty getting the plant out of the pot , try running a leaf blade around the edge of the sight , and lightly whack the side to loosen the ground .
Always use clean soil when transplanting your indoor plant . sate around the plant softly with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you need air to be capable to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize right away … this will encourage the root to fill in their new home .
The size of it tummy you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diam . Remember , many plants prefer being middling pot bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and insert the plant through the solution or the stem at soil level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , fall tearing . If a industrial plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , withdraw it . If your plant is in a container , dispose the dirt too . moisten the sens with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label direction . Consult a professional for a effectual recommendation of what antimycotic agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , fly insects that attack many types of plants and thrive in live , dry conditions ( like heated star sign ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can repose up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 days without union . Most of the harm to plants is triggered by the young larvae which feast on tender foliage and flower tissue . This leads to misshapen increase , injured flower petal and untimely flower drop . Thrips also can air many harmful plant computer virus .
Prevention and Control : keep grass down and employ sieve on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plant , keep them aside from non - infested plants . Trap with yellowish mucilaginous poster or take advantage of instinctive enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a serious steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . confabulate your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative extension office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare modest , 8 legged , spider - like fauna which flourish in hot , juiceless conditions ( like heated house ) . Spider mites feed with pierce sassing parts , which cause plants to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and plant death can fall out with heavy infestations . Spider hint can multiply speedily , as a female can lay up to 200 egg in a aliveness pair of 30 days . They also develop a WWW which can enshroud infested folio and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep skunk down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so verify plants are regularly water , peculiarly those prefer high humidity such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or tomatoes . Always check new flora prior to bringing them home from the garden center or glasshouse . Take vantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative Extension place , read and adopt all recording label focusing . contract your endeavour on the undersides of the leave as that is where spider mites generally survive . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , diffuse - incarnate insects that produce a waxy powdery cover . They have thrust / nurse mouth part that imbibe the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like diminished pieces of cotton wool and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They assail a wide range of a function of plants . The untested lean to move around until they find a worthy feeding spot , then they pay heed out in colony and feed . mealybug can weaken a industrial plant leading to yellow leaf and leaf drop . They also acquire a sugared essence called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black open fungal growth phone sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plant from those that are not . look up your local garden core professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical testimonial . advance natural enemies such as dame beetles in the garden to avail reduce universe grade of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare modest , winged insects that look like bantam moth , which attack many types of plants . The flying adult microscope stage prefers the underside of leaf to feed in and breed . whitefly can multiply rapidly as a female can lay up to 500 ball in a life history twosome of 2 month . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the flora is disturbed . Whiteflies can countermine a plant , finally leading to implant death if they are not check . They can transmit many harmful plant computer virus . They also bring forth a sweet nub call honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth call up sooty mold .
potential controls : keep locoweed down ; function screening in window to keep them out ; remove infested plant away from non - infested plant life ; habituate a musing mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; gob with yellow sticky batting order , put on labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a good firm shower of piss will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insect . They can be wolfish feeders , eat just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat holes in leave , airstrip intact stems , or totally devour seedling and attendant graft , will behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trail .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as sporty as possible , eliminate hiding situation such as folio debris , over - turned pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in funny places and ponderous mulch provide protection from the elements and can be favourite hiding places . In the bounce , patrol for and destroy egg ( clusters of little semitransparent spheres ) and adults during gloam and daybreak . Set out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical ascendancy are available on the securities industry , but can be venomous and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always take the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis commonly found on plant that do not have enough air circulation or enough spark . problem are worse where nights are cool and day are warm and humid . The powdery bloodless or gray fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leave or yield . Leaves will often turn white-livered or brownish , draw in up , and drop off . unexampled foliage emerge crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be shadow and often drop too soon .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistive varieties and space plant right so they have adequate luminosity and strain circulation . Always urine from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for rosiness . Go easy on the nitrogen plant food . Apply fungicides according to label directions before problem becomes severe and follow commission exactly , not missing any need treatment . Sanitation is a must - houseclean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or rubble in the drop and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to fungi or bacteria . dark-brown or black spot and temporary hookup may be either ragged or rotary , with a piss soaked or yellow - edged appearing . Insects , rain , dirty garden pecker , or even the great unwashed can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leave-taking when the plant is dry . farewell that collect around the root of the plant should be raked up and discard of . nullify overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be engineer at soil level . For fungous leaf smear , use a recommended fungicide accord to recording label focusing .
cuss : Scale InsectsScales are insect , related to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a wide variety of plants - indoor and out-of-door . Young scales crawl until they find a skilful alimentation web site . The adult female then lose their legs and remain on a spot protected by its heavy casing layer . They look as bumps , often on the lower position of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that nurse the sap out of industrial plant tissue . Scales can break a plant leading to yellow leafage and leafage drop . They also raise a sweet heart called honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can direct to an unattractive black surface fungous growth called pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate overrun plant life away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage instinctive enemies such as epenthetic wasp in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is find on the surface of farewell . It feed in on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bug , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / nigrify the leave-taking and stems of the plant . The right way to moderate sooty mould is to ensure the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can unremarkably be wiped from leaves with a dampish fabric or washed away with a hose - end nebulizer .
