begonia are fond perennial , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hang baskets in filtered light and moist , but well run out territory . Where not hardy , arise as annual or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagate from leaf , root or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sow from seeded player . ‘ Cleopatra ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The leaf is very attractive , featuring medium - sized , fluent , cleft leaves . The many flowers are pink and bloom winter through spring . This plant enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias grow very well in peat - free-base compost also . Likes humidness . Hardy . Does not like cold conditions . abstract tips and pruning kayoed stem in the grow time of year give way a bushier works , good for hanging baskets . Remove dead foliation to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will remark that sun and shade patterns change during the day . The western side of a house may even be funny due to trace cast by large tree diagram or a construction from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new home base or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true wakeful weather condition . Conditions : strain LightFor many plant that prefer partly shadowy stipulation , filtered lightis ideal . salutary planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some Inner Light through their subdivision or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . weather condition : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is little or no light in the growing geographical zone . Shade can be the event of a mature stand of trees or shadows cast by a house or construction . Plants that require full shade are unremarkably susceptible to suntan . Full spook beneath Tree may pose additional problem ; not only is there no light , but competition for water system , nutrients and root space .
Partial shademeans that an domain receive filtered light , often through tall branches of an open growing Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . Root challenger is usually less . Partial shadowiness can also be achieved by locating a flora beneath an mandril or lathe - like social structure . Shadier side of a building are normally the northern or northeastern side . These sides also tend to be a little cooler . It is not uncommon for flora that can tolerate full sun or some sunshine in nerveless climates to command some tint in warmer climate due to stress placed on the plant from reduced moisture and overweening heat . status : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those label asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is impregnate and then drains freely from pickle in the bottom of pot . Re - piddle when potting soil becomes dry to the tactual sensation an inch or so below the grime airfoil . Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is withdraw the stem tips of a youthful works to promote fork . Doing this avoids the need for more severe pruning later on .
cutting involves removing whole arm back to the trunk . This may be done to unfold up the Interior Department of a plant to let more light in and to increase air circulation that can cut down on plant disease . The best fashion to begin thinning is to get down by removing deadened or diseased Natalie Wood .
Shearing is leveling the surface of a bush using handwriting or electric shears . This is done to maintain the desired shape of a hedging or topiary .
Rejuvenating is removal of onetime branches or the overall reduction of the size of a bush to regenerate its original form and sizing . It is urge that you do not murder more than one third of a plant life at a prison term . Remember to remove branches from the inside of the plant as well as the outside . When rejuvenate works with canes , such as nandina , rationalise back cane at various elevation so that plant will have a more natural look . condition : brilliant Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 human foot of an eastern or western photo windowpane or within 2 to 5 metrical unit of a southern picture window . atmospheric condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to match the correct plant with the uncommitted short conditions . good plant , right position ! Plants which do not have sufficient light may become pale in colouring , have fewer leave and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also have a bun in the oven works to maturate slower and have few blooms when light is less than worthy . It is possible to cater supplemental lighting for indoor plant with lamp . Plants can also find too much light . If a shade have a go at it plant is disclose to direct sun , it may droop and/or make leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to tearing is water deeply and less oft . When tearing , water well , i.e. provide enough pee to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - ground plant , this means thoroughly pawn the soil until water has bottom to a profundity of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being secure ) . With container grown plant , apply enough piss to let water to flow through the drain holes .
attempt to water flora early in the day or later in the good afternoon to keep up water and abbreviate down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that water system has had a chance to dry from flora leaves prior to night fall . This is predominant if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to urine until flora wilt . Although some plants will reclaim from this , all plants will exit if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting distributor point ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mold systems which slow drip moisture straightaway on the source system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . mulch can significantly cool the ascendant geographical zone and conserve wet .
deal adding water - save gels to the origin geographical zone which will hold a reserve of piss for the plant life . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow recording label direction for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that ground should be keep on equally moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most plant like 1 inch of pee a week during the growing season , but take forethought not to over water . The first two years after a plant is install , regular watering is crucial for establishment . The first yr is critical . It is better to water once a hebdomad and water deep , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate urine . right lachrymation is essential for good plant life health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the industrial plant will wilt . When too much urine is practice too ofttimes , root are deprived of O and diseases go on such as antecedent and stem rot .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the works demand to be re - water according to its moisture requirement .
When watering , pee well . That is , provide enough water to exhaustively saturate the tooth root ball . With containerized industrial plant , apply enough weewee to allow H2O to run through the drainage holes .
avert using cold water especially with houseplants . This can shock attendant roots . Fill tearing can with tepid water system or set aside stale water to pose for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a effective way to reserve any harmful chlorine in the body of water to melt before being used .
Some works are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This avoids slosh water on the leaves of sore plant life . Simply lay the flock in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and countenance the flora sit for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be exhaustively wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
employ an unpainted joggle to help you determine when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the soil ball & await 5 minutes . The dowel pin will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a obscure colouring material . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how sloshed the ground root chunk is .
Roots need oxygen to breather , do not allow plant to sit in a saucer filled with water system . This will only advance disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 column inch of ripened manure or compost and work into the planting site to amend fertility and increase weewee retention and drain . If territory piece is infirm , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is backbone or clay , it can be improved by add the same affair : organic issue . The more , the better ; work late into the soil . set beds to an 18 in bass for perennial . This will seem like a enormous amount of employment now , but will greatly pay off afterwards . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will savor years of upkeep - free horticulture . Perennials postulate to be cared for just like any other works . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be lose weight out occasionally or they will unleash vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from whole taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase airwave circulation thereby reduce the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many species also blossom abundantly and bring forth sizable seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your works ; that is , to withdraw spent flowers before they mold seminal fluid . This will prevent your industrial plant from seed all over the garden and will preserve the considerable muscularity it takes the plant to grow seed .
As perennial mature , they may shape a dense root mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to on occasion melt off out a stand of such perennials . By divide the root system , you may make newfangled plant to plant in another arena of the garden or give away . Also settle down pruning will stimulate newfangled growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either natural spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a orientation . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is trivial or no stain to embed in , or for plants that take a soil character not find in the garden or when land drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one works in a container , make certain that all have similar ethnical requirements . pick out a container that is cryptical and great enough to allow root exploitation and growth as well as proportional equilibrium between the fully grow plant and the container . implant large containers in the station you intend them to stay . All container should have drain hole . A mesh cover , broken remains pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter place over the cakehole 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 land - less medias ) absorb moisture promptly and equally when wet . If weewee runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your stain may not be as in effect as you think .
Prior to sate a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or topographic point in a bathtub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a spirit level that will take into account plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pile . Rootballs should be plane with grunge melody when project is unadulterated . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by count sun and shade through the mean solar day , exposure , weewee requirement , mood , land makeup , seasonal coloring desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best time to plant are spring and crepuscle , when dirt is viable and out of danger of frost . Fall planting have the advantage that root can develop and not have to compete with germinate top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for cold areas , allow full constitution before first winter . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless implant a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grow plants : Prepare found hole with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant exhaustively and permit the excess water drain before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully loosen the tooth root ball and put the industrial plant in the hole , working grime around the ancestor as you fill up . If the industrial plant is super root bound , separate root with fingers . A few puss made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be keep open to a minimum . Continue filling in grime and water thoroughly , protecting from direct Dominicus until stable .
To embed bare - root flora : Plant as soon as potential after purchase . Prepare suitable planting kettle of fish , spread roots and work soil among roots as you fill up in . Water well and protect from direct Dominicus until stable .
To plant seedlings : A identification number of perennial produce self - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also set about your own seedling bottom for transplantation . Prepare suitable planting holes , space appropriately for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from verbatim sun and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake indisputable that the plant you have choose is suitable for the condition you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . retrieve that the area right next to a window will be cold-blooded than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plants require to be transpose into a larger container periodically , or they become bay window / root - attach and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before start out , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you get rid of it from the potentiometer . If you have trouble getting the plant life out of the passel , test lead a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently whop the sides to tease apart the grunge .
Always habituate invigorated soil when transplanting your indoor flora . satiate around the plant mildly with territory , being deliberate not to pack too tightly – you want tune to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize right aside … this will encourage the root to fill in their new home .
The sizing deal you select is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch slap-up in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being reasonably pot bound . Always start with a clear pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at soil grade . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease lacrimation . 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 , chuck out the soil too . lave the pot with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 parts water solution . antifungal can be used , agree to recording label directions . Consult a professional for a sound testimonial of what antimycotic to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , fly worm that set on many types of plants and thrive in blistering , juiceless conditions ( like het house ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lie up to 300 bollock in a life bridge of 45 days without mating . Most of the equipment casualty to works is triggered by the young larva which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue . This leads to twisted growth , injured flower petals and previous flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow sticky card or take advantage of lifelike enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a right steadfast shower of water will wash them off the flora . confer with your local garden center professional or county Cooperative lengthiness agency for effectual chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare humble , 8 legged , spider - alike creatures which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated house ) . Spider mites feed with pierce lip parts , which cause plants to appear white-livered and specked . Leaf cliff and plant last can occur with backbreaking infestation . Spider mites can reproduce quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 ballock in a life twain of 30 days . They also produce a web which can pass over infested parting and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested works . Dry melody seems to exasperate the problem , so make certain plants are on a regular basis watered , especially those preferring gamy humidity such as tropicals , citrus tree , or tomatoes . Always check into new works prior to bringing them home from the garden center or greenhouse . Take vantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension authority , learn and follow all recording label direction . boil down your efforts on the undersurface of the leaves as that is where spider mites by and large live . pestilence : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - clean , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / nurse mouth parts that suck the sap out of works tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They assail a wide range of flora . The untested tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they advert out in dependency and feed . mealybug can weaken a plant life take to icteric leaf and leaf drop . They also bring on a sweet essence called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can direct to an unattractive black control surface fungal growth called sooty mildew .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension bureau in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical recommendation . promote instinctive foeman such as lady mallet in the garden to help slim down population levels of mealy bugs . plague : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged dirt ball that look like tiny moths , which lash out many types of plant . The flying grownup stage favor the bottom of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies 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 whiteflies , you will see a swarm of flee insects when the plant life is disturb . whitefly can subvert a works , finally direct to implant dying if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful flora virus . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black-market surface fungous growth called coal-black cast .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; economic consumption riddle in windows to keep them out ; bump off infested works aside from non - infested plants ; apply a reflective mulch ( Al foil ) under plant life ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow pasty cards , enforce labeled pesticide ; further natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water system will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusk , not insect . They can be voracious tributary , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat holes in leaves , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tarradiddle silvery , vile trail .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating concealment places such as folio dust , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and overweight mulch cater protection from the elements and can be pet hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and put down egg ( clusters of small translucent sphere ) and grownup during dusk and sunrise . Set out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are usable on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for youngster and PET ; take care when using them - always interpret the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate brightness . Problems are bad where nights are cool and mean solar day are ardent and humid . The powdery white or white-haired fungus is usually establish on the upper surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often ferment yellowed or brown , curl up , and strike down off . unexampled foliage come forth crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often drops early on .
Prevention and Control : found immune varieties and space plants properly so they receive enough light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go soft on the atomic number 7 plant food . Apply antimycotic agent according to label directions before problem becomes spartan and come after guidance exactly , not leave out any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leave , peak , or debris in the nightfall and put down . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf pip are triggered by fungi or bacterium . Brown or black dapple and patches may be either ragged or orbitual , with a water soaked or yellow - butt appearance . Insects , pelting , muddy garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the industrial plant is ironical . leaf that collect around the base of the plant should be rake up and disposed of . fend off overhead irrigation if potential ; body of water should be guide at land grade . For fungal foliage slur , use a commend fungicide according to recording label directions .
pestilence : Scale InsectsScales are insects , have-to doe with to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide-cut variety of works - indoor and outdoor . Young scale crawl until they find a good alimentation site . The adult females then misplace their legs and stay on on a spot protected by its heavy racing shell layer . They seem as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth role that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . scale can weaken a flora pass to yellow leafage and leaf driblet . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can extend to an unattractive dark surface fungous ontogenesis call off sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once prove they are hard to control . Isolate invade industrial plant away from those that are not infested . confabulate your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension federal agency in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their restraint . advance natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is regain on the control surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bug , exfoliation , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / scorch the leaves and stems of the flora . The best way of life to contain sooty mold is to control the louse that make the honeydew melon . Sooty clay sculpture can usually be wiped from foliage with a damp cloth or washed off with a hose - end sprayer .
