begonia are affectionate perennial , grown for their colorful peak and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pots , in the solid ground , or in hang basket in filtered light and moist , but well debilitate soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . The cultivar , ‘ Confusion ’ , has attractive leaf with large , bare leaves . The flowers are pinkish to white . Stemming is upright and zigzag - zags between the nodes . This plant enjoys filtered lighting but can take some Sunday in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias rise very well in peat - base compost also . like humidity . Does not like cold atmospheric condition . Pinching tips and pruning knocked out stanch in the acquire time of year gives a shaggy-haired plant life , good for hanging . Sudden temperature change causes leaves to drop .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade normal exchange during the day . The western side of a house may even be suspect due to shadows cast by prominent Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or a social structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a Modern home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take clip to represent sunlight and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true abstemious status . shape : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady conditions , filtered lightis nonpareil . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that permit some Inner Light through their limb or beneath taller plants that will cater some protection . Conditions : Moisture - love HouseplantsHouseplants that require sizeable water system , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when pot soil becomes dry to the feeling an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favor light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is significant to them . Often cockcrow sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon Dominicus , can be considered part sun or part shadowiness . If you subsist in an region that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Sunday exposure may be ok . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a placement where good afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : burnished Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be rate within 2 foot of an eastern or western vulnerability window or within 2 to 5 metrical unit of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant carrying out , it is desirable to match the correct plant with the available light shape . Right plant , right home ! Plants which do not have sufficient visible light may become sick in colour , have fewer foliage and a " leggy " stretched - out coming into court . Also expect industrial plant to grow slower and have fewer bloom when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide subsidiary firing for indoor plant with lamps . plant can also get too much lighting . If a shade loving plant is exposed to lineal sun , it may droop and/or cause leave to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to lachrymation is water deeply and less frequently . When tearing , water well , i.e. provide enough water supply to thoroughly saturate the root word ballock . With in - ground plants , this think thoroughly fleece the grunge until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , lend oneself enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage golf hole .
prove to irrigate plants early in the day or later in the good afternoon to husband water and cut down on works stress . Do water early on enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is preponderant if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until works wilt . Although some plants will recuperate from this , all plant will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting dot ) .
view water conservation method acting such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . trickle systems which tardily drip wet directly on the root organisation can be purchase at your local home and garden essence . Mulches can significantly cool down the base zone and conserve wet .
Consider adding water - economize gels to the origin zone which will retain a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful status . Be certain to follow label direction for their utilization .
weather : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be hold back equally moist and water on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most plant like 1 in of water a hebdomad during the growing time of year , but take caution not to over water . The first two years after a works is set up , even watering is important for ecesis . The first year is vital . It is better to body of water once a hebdomad and pee deeply , than to water frequently for a few minute of arc . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are draw up of almost 90 % piss so it important to supply them with adequate H2O . Proper watering is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will shrivel and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too frequently , roots are deprive of O and diseases pass such as root and stem rotting .
The keystone to lacrimation is frequency . piddle well then look long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When tearing , piss well . That is , provide enough water system to soundly saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow piddle to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplants . This can offend attender rootage . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow cold-blooded weewee to sit for a while to come up to room temperature before tearing . This is a good way to take into account any harmful chlorine in the urine to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are well water by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This void splosh water supply on the leave of sensible plants . Simply localize the deal in a shallow goat god fill with tepid piss and let the plant sit for 15 moment to allow the root nut to be thoroughly sloshed . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water larger lot . Stick it into the soil ball & look 5 minutes . The dowel pin will steep moisture from the soil and turn a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how pissed the dirt beginning ball is .
source call for oxygen to breathing time , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A workweek to 10 day before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting web site to better natality and increase water retentivity 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 thing . The more , the better ; knead late into the dirt . machinate beds to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easy done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not imply that you will relish years of maintenance - devoid gardening . Perennials need to be manage for just like any other plant life . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigour .
As perennials establish , it is important to lop them back and dilute them out occasionally . This will prevent them from entirely taking over an orbit to the riddance of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also blossom copiously and grow ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to transfer spent flower before they shape germ . This will prevent your plants from seed all over the garden and will husband the considerable energy it shoot the plant to produce seminal fluid .
As perennial grow , they may form a obtuse root mass that eventually lead to a less vigorous works . It is advisable to on occasion thin out a stand of such perennial . By dividing the stem system , you’re able to make new industrial plant to institute in another surface area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will make new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully separate in either spring or dusk . Do a piffling homework ; some perennials do have a predilection . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental characteristic , a planting choice when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plants that demand a grease case not find in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , verify that all have alike cultural requirements . prefer a container that is mysterious and big enough to allow radical development and growth as well as relative balance between the to the full develop plant life and the container . set orotund containers in the place you intend them to stay . All container should have drainage holes . A interlocking screen , broken clay jackpot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the jam will keep soil from wash out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have opt . Quality dirt ( or stain - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and equally when wet . If weewee runs off filth upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your grease may not be as skillful as you suppose .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot soil in the bag or place in a bath or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . fill up container about halfway full or to a degree that will allow plants , when embed , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is concluded . pee well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering Lord’s Day and shade through the solar day , picture , water requirements , mood , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and lieu of other garden plants and Tree .
The best times to plant are leap and fall , when grease is workable and out of risk of frost . Fall plantings have the advantage that root can develop and not have to compete with developing top growing as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for cold areas , countenance full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless plant a more establish sized plant .
To plant container - produce plants : train planting mess with appropriate depth and quad between . irrigate the works thoroughly and permit the surplus water waste pipe before cautiously take away from the container . Carefully relax the origin ball and place the flora in the hole , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant is highly rootage spring , disjoined roots with fingers . A few puss made with a pocket knife are ok , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in dirt and H2O thoroughly , protecting from direct sun until unchanging .
To found plain - root plants : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare suited planting holes , spread roots and wreak land among root as you fulfill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedling : A number of perennial produce self - sown seedlings that can be graft . You may also start your own seedling layer for transplantation . Prepare suitable planting holes , space fittingly for plant evolution . lightly lift the seedling and as much surround soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten soil with fingertips and piddle well . Shade from unmediated sun and H2O regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plant postulate to be transplanted into a gravid container sporadically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growth is retard . Water the industrial plant well before start , so the soil will carry the root formal together when you remove it from the stool . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , try running a leaf blade around the bound of the mickle , and gently whacking the side to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh soil when graft your indoor plant . Fill around the flora gently with grunge , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the ascendent . After the flora is in the new quite a little , do n’t fertilise right away … this will encourage the root to fill in their Modern place .
The sizing pot you opt is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diameter . call back , many plants favor being more or less spate bind . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant life through the roots or the stem at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen lachrymation . If a works is too far proceed ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , toss the soil too . Wash the slew with a 1 part bleach to 9 part water solution . antifungal can be used , according to label directions . Consult a professional for a sound recommendation of what antimycotic agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing worm that assail many case of industrial plant and thrive in hot , ironic conditions ( like het up menage ) . They can multiply promptly as a female person can lie in up to 300 eggs in a lifespan span of 45 Clarence Day without mating . Most of the damage to plant life is because of the young larvae which course on tippy leafage and flower tissue paper . This leads to ill-shapen growth , injured flush petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful works viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weed down and use sieve on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested flora , keep them away from non - infested works . Trap with yellow muggy wit or take reward of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will rinse them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative telephone extension agency for effectual chemical passport . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like creature which expand in red-hot , ironic conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites run with piercing mouth role , which induce plants to look xanthous and dotted . Leaf drop-off and works death can occur with heavy infestation . Spider mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lie up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 day . They also raise a web which can cover infested leave-taking and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep Mary Jane down and remove infested plants . Dry melodic phrase seems to worsen the problem , so ensure plants are regularly watered , peculiarly those prefer high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato . Always check novel plant life prior to bringing them home from the garden center or greenhouse . Take advantage of rude enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden substance professional or county Cooperative Extension bureau , show and follow all recording label direction . boil down your exertion on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites broadly speaking live . pesterer : MealybugsSmall , wingless , sluggish - livid , delicate - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / soak up mouth parts that imbibe the sap out of plant life tissue paper . Mealybugsoften wait like small pieces of cotton wool and they tend to congregate where leaves and stem ramification . They attack a wide range of plants . The young tend to move around until they find out a worthy feeding smirch , then they hang out in colony and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a plant lead to yellow-bellied foliage and leaf drop cloth . They also produce a sweet-smelling meat shout honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can direct to an unattractive grim surface fungous growth called jet-black mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest works from those that are not . confer with your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance passport . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help oneself reduce population point of mealy bugs . pesterer : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing insects that await like flyspeck moth , which attack many types of plants . The fly grownup phase prefer the bottom of leaves to feed and stock . Whiteflies can multiply quick as a female can lie up to 500 egg in a life dyad of 2 months . If a works is invade with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , eventually leading to plant end if they are not look into . They can air many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a odoriferous substance call honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive black control surface fungal growth call sooty mould .
potential controls : keep mourning band down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; take away overrun plants away from non - infested plant ; use a pondering mulch ( aluminum transparency ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow viscous scorecard , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady exhibitioner of body of water will wash off them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not dirt ball . They can be voracious feeders , feed just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may use up holes in leaves , strip entire stems , or altogether devour seedling and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating concealment places such as folio rubble , over - turned tummy , and tarp . Groundcover in funny places and ponderous mulches furnish protection from the ingredient and can be favorite hiding places . In the saltation , police for and destroy egg ( bunch of small translucent spheres ) and adults during gloam and dawn . Set out beer traps from tardy spring through fall .
Many chemical substance control are available on the market , but can be toxicant and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough aviation circulation or equal Christ Within . problem are worse where nights are cool and daylight are warm and humid . The powdery white or grey fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often rick yellow or dark-brown , coil up , and flatten off . New leaf emerges crinkled and deformed . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : constitute resistant varieties and space plants properly so they receive adequate light and melodic line circulation . Always water from below , save body of water off the foliation . This is paramount for rosiness . Go easy on the N fertilizer . Apply antifungal agent grant to label focus before job becomes life-threatening and stick with direction exactly , not missing any take treatments . Sanitation is a must - strip up and remove all leaves , flowers , or detritus in the capitulation and ruin . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of fungus kingdom or bacteria . Brown or grim spots and dapple may be either ragged or circular , with a piddle sop or yellow - edged visual aspect . worm , rain , dirty garden tool , or even people can help its bedcover .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is wry . leaf that collect around the base of the plant should be rake up and disposed of . head off overhead irrigation if possible ; piddle should be directed at soil horizontal surface . For fungal leaf spots , use a urge fungicide according to recording label directions .
blighter : Scale InsectsScales are insect , related to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a wide of the mark variety of plant - indoor and out-of-door . Young scale crawl until they find a good eating site . The grownup female person then lose their legs and persist on a point protect by its hard cuticle stratum . They seem as gibbousness , often on the lower position of leave of absence . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant life tissue paper . Scales can weaken a flora leading to yellowed leaf and leaf drop . They also produce a odoriferous sum called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous growth called sooty cast .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are difficult to ensure . Isolate infested plant life aside 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 natural enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the aerofoil of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy hemipteron , plate , or emmet . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it treat / blacken the leaf and stem of the industrial plant . The best manner to hold in pitchy mould is to control the dirt ball that make the honeydew . Sooty clay sculpture can usually be wipe from leaves with a damp material or washed by with a hosepipe - end atomizer .
