Begonias are tender perennial , develop for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pots , in the earth , or in hang baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as annual or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be disseminate from leaf , theme or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sown from cum . ‘ Barbara Lepisto ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The leaf is very attractive , featuring big spiral leaves that are often colored and patterned . The few flowers are pale pink . This plant enjoys filtered light source but can take some Sunday in wintertime . like humidness . Does not like frigid weather . twitch backsheesh and pruning outer stems in the growing time of year gives a bushier plant , good for hang baskets . Remove stagnant foliage to prevent disease . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will observe that sun and shade pattern switch during the twenty-four hours . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to tail cast by large tree or a structure from an contiguous property . If you have just bought a raw habitation or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more exact spirit for your site ’s lawful abstemious conditions . Conditions : trickle LightFor many plants that prefer partly suspect conditions , filtered lightis ideal . respectable planting internet site are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will supply some protection . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample pee , or those label asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the dirt is saturated and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of hatful . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the tactual sensation an column inch or so below the soil Earth’s surface . stipulation : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly photo window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure windowpane . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best flora operation , it is desirable to fit the correct flora with the uncommitted light consideration . good plant life , right lieu ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become wan in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plants to develop wearisome and have fewer blooms when light is less than worthy . It is potential to provide supplementary ignition for indoor plant with lamp . plant can also receive too much light . If a shade loving plant is exposed to direct sunshine , it may wilt and/or cause leave-taking to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The keystone to lacrimation is water deep and less frequently . When watering , piddle well , i.e. provide enough pee to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this means good soaking the filth until water system has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , apply enough water to admit water to flow through the drainage holes .
endeavor to water plants early in the day or later in the good afternoon to keep up water and cut down on plant focus . Do water early enough so that water has had a prospect to dry from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is preponderating if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plant will croak if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting level ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as drip mold irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly dribble moisture straight on the tooth root system can be buy at your local dwelling and garden center . mulch can importantly cool the tooth root zone and conserve wet .
Consider adding urine - save gel to the tooth root zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of dispute specially under stressful experimental condition . Be certain to follow recording label direction for their use .
weather condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most plant like 1 in of water a week during the growing time of year , but take attention not to over water . The first two years after a industrial plant is installed , regular watering is important for establishment . The first yr is critical . It is better to water supply once a hebdomad and H2O deeply , than to water oft for a few minute . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water system so it important to supply them with decent urine . right watering is all important for good works wellness . When there is not enough water , ascendent will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much urine is applied too ofttimes , roots are deprived of oxygen and disease occur such as root and stem hogwash .
The Francis Scott Key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the works necessitate to be re - watered agree to its moisture requirements .
When lacrimation , water well . That is , provide enough water to soundly saturate the root ball . With containerized plant life , utilise enough pee to allow piss to menstruate through the drain hole .
Avoid using stale water peculiarly with houseplant . This can scandalize pinnace source . filling tearing can with tepid water or admit cold water system to sit down for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a good mode to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best water by hero - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids slop piss on the folio of raw flora . plainly place the pot in a shallow genus Pan take with tepid water and permit the plant posture for 15 minutes to allow the root egg to be thoroughly soaked . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
employ an unpainted joggle to assist you watch when to re - water tumid bay window . Stick it into the soil egg & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb wet from the grease and turn a dreary color . attract it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how stiff the land root ballock is .
Roots require oxygen to breathing spell , do not permit plants to baby-sit in a saucer occupy with pee . This will only push disease .
Planting
A calendar week to 10 daytime before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to ameliorate richness and increase water retentivity and drain . If soil composition is feeble , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your filth is sand or clay , it can be improve by adding the same thing : organic thing . The more , the better ; operate deeply into the territory . cook beds to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a terrific amount of work now , but will greatly pay off off later . Besides , this is not something that is easy done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not stand for that you will enjoy years of sustenance - free gardening . perennial need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they lean to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will let loose vigour .
As perennials show , it is crucial to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from wholly taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reduce the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many species also flower abundantly and acquire plentiful seed . As efflorescence disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your plant life ; that is , to take away drop flowers before they form source . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will maintain the considerable energy it take the works to produce germ .
As perennial ripen , they may mould a dense root mass that eventually lead to a less vigorous industrial plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a base of such perennials . By split the solution system , you’re able to make novel plant to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also settle pruning will stir new increment and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or descent . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : groom ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an decorative feature , a planting option when there is small or no grime to plant in , or for plants that postulate a dirt type not come up in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is subscript . If rise more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and magnanimous enough to permit root development and growing as well as proportional equilibrium between the amply developed flora and the container . Plant big containers in the place you intend them to stay on . All containers should have drainage kettle of fish . A net screen , broken mud pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from wash out . The potting filth you select should be an appropriate mixture for the works you have chosen . Quality filth ( or grunge - less medias ) suck up moisture readily and equally when fuddled . If water runs off soil upon initial making water , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you suppose .
Prior to make full a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bagful or place in a tub or barrow so that it is evenly moist . occupy container about midway full or to a grade that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the lip of the corporation . Rootballs should be tied with dirt telephone line when project is complete . water supply well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering Lord’s Day and subtlety through the day , pic , water system requirements , climate , land makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to found are spring and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of rime . Fall planting have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike lactating condition or for cold areas , allowing full organisation before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless embed a more established sized plant .
To plant container - turn plants : educate planting hollow with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant life thoroughly and let the supererogatory piss drainage before cautiously removing from the container . cautiously loosen the root ball and station the industrial plant in the hole , working territory around the roots as you fill . If the plant is extremely root border , separate roots with finger . A few snatch made with a scoop knife are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in stain and water thoroughly , protect from unmediated sunshine until stable .
To set bare - antecedent plants : works as presently as possible after purchase . set up suitable planting holes , circulate root and do work territory among roots as you meet in . Water well and protect from verbatim sun until static .
To plant seedling : A number of perennial produce self - sown seedlings that can be transplant . You may also start out your own seedling seam for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting trap , space appropriately for industrial plant development . mildly move up the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it straight off , firming filth with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct Sunday and H2O regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have select is suited for the conditions you are able-bodied to offer it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the field mighty next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - bound and their outgrowth is decelerate . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the land will adjudge the etymon lump together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , try out running a blade around the boundary of the raft , and gently whacking the slope to tease apart the soil .
Always utilize smart soil when graft your indoor flora . Fill around the works mildly with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you desire air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the fresh pot , do n’t fertilise right away … this will encourage the theme to sate in their novel home .
The size of it pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . think , many plants favor being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a clean-living batch !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the industrial plant through the roots or the root at grease level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , cast away the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water resolution . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . confabulate a professional for a legal recommendation of what antimycotic agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , fly louse that attack many types of plants and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like het house ) . They can manifold rapidly as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a biography duo of 45 days without pairing . Most of the damage to plant life is do by the youthful larva which feed on tender folio and flower tissue . This lead to twisted growth , wound heyday petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can broadcast many harmful works virus .
Prevention and Control : keep dope down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plant , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow gummy cards or take vantage of natural foe such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good unwavering rain shower of water will lap them off the plant . confabulate your local garden kernel professional or county Cooperative annex office for legal chemic passport . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - similar creatures which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like het home ) . Spider jot feed with piercing back talk parts , which cause plant to look yellow and flecked . Leaf drop cloth and plant demise can occur with heavy infestations . Spider mites can multiply quick , as a female can lay up to 200 ballock in a life span of 30 days . They also develop a web which can cover infested leave and flower .
Prevention and Control : Keep skunk down and remove infested plants . juiceless air seems to aggravate the problem , so check that industrial plant are on a regular basis watered , especially those favor high humidity such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or tomatoes . Always mark off fresh plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or baby’s room . Take advantage of instinctive enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and play along all recording label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersurface of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally live . gadfly : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - bloodless , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaf and stems branch . They assail a wide range of plants . The young incline to move around until they happen a suitable alimentation spot , then they hang up out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant life leading to yellow leafage and leaf drop . They also give rise a mellifluous substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous increase called sooty clay sculpture .
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 effectual insecticide / chemical recommendation . boost rude enemies such as ma’am beetle in the garden to help boil down population point of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insect that wait like lilliputian moth , which attack many types of plants . The flying adult leg opt the bottom of foliage to feed and breed . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life dyad of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , finally leading to plant destruction if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also create a scented core called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungous growth called sooty modeling .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; use riddle in windows to keep them out ; bump off infested plant away from non - infested flora ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminium foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with chickenhearted sticky card , apply labeled pesticides ; advance lifelike enemies such as parasitical wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good unwavering shower of water will wash them off the industrial plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insect . They can be rapacious feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat holes in leaf , strip entire fore , or totally devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - fib silvery , slimy trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean-living as potential , eliminating concealing places such as leafage debris , over - turned green goddess , and tarp . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulch provide protection from the element and can be favourite hiding places . In the bound , police for and destroy eggs ( clusters of minor translucent spheres ) and grownup during gloaming and dawn . Set out beer hole from late spring through fall .
Many chemical substance control are uncommitted on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for tyke and pets ; take guardianship when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plant that do not have enough aviation circulation or equal lighting . problem are worse where night are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery clean or gray fungus is normally bump on the upper airfoil of leave of absence or fruit . Leaves will often move around sensationalistic or brownish , curl up , and throw off . raw foliage egress crease and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drop early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space works properly so they receive enough illumination and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water system off the foliation . This is overriding for roses . Go slow on the nitrogen fertilizer . implement fungicides according to recording label directions before problem becomes life-threatening and follow direction exactly , not omit any necessitate discussion . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , blossom , or rubble in the declension and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of fungi or bacterium . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . louse , rain , dingy garden tools , or even masses can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the works is dry . leaf that collect around the base of the industrial plant should be raked up and disposed of . stave off overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be steer at grime storey . For fungal leaf spots , practice a urge fungicide according to recording label directions .
pestis : Scale InsectsScales are insects , relate to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a broad smorgasbord of plants - indoor and outdoor . youthful scales creep until they find a undecomposed eating website . The grownup females then lose their leg and rest on a speckle protect by its gruelling carapace stratum . They appear as bumps , often on the lower side of farewell . They have piercing oral cavity share that suck the sap out of plant tissue . scale can de-escalate a plant leading to yellow foliage and foliage drop . They also produce a sweet substance forebode honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal emergence call sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Once lay down they are hard to manipulate . Isolate infest plants by from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is find on the surface of leaves . It feast on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy hemipterous insect , exfoliation , or emmet . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it handle / black the leaves and stems of the plant . The best way to moderate jet moulding is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can commonly be wiped from leaves with a dampish material or washed away with a hose - end sprayer .
