begonia are sensitive perennial , turn for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonia can be grown alfresco in skunk , in the basis , or in hang baskets in filtered igniter and moist , but well drained dirt . Where not hardy , grow as yearbook or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , stem or rootstock slip in improver to being sown from seed . The cultivar , ‘ Freude ’ , grows from a creeping rhizome . The leaf is very attractive , featuring large non - spiral leaves that are often color and patterned . This plant enjoys dribble lightness but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias grow very well in peat - free-base compost also . Likes humidness . Does not like dusty atmospheric condition . top tips and pruning outer stems in the growing time of year gives a bushier plant , good for pay heed baskets . hit numb foliage to keep disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade pattern transfer during the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . The western side of a star sign may even be shady due to shadows cast by large trees or a anatomical structure from an next property . If you have just bought a unexampled home or just beginning to garden in your older base , take clock time to represent sunshine and shadiness throughout the day . You will get a more accurate look for your site ’s truthful light conditions . Conditions : filter LightFor many plants that prefer partially shadowed conditions , separate out lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to gravid sized tree diagram that lets some light through their branch or beneath tall plant life that will furnish some protection . condition : wet - bonk HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample weewee , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the grime is saturate and then debilitate freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting filth becomes dry to the mite an inch or so below the dirt surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose ignitor that is trickle . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is important to them . Often dawn sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be considered part Sunday or part spook . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun pic may be fine . In other sphere such as Florida , plant in a position where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : shining Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or western photo window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure window . stipulation : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to match the right plant life with the available swooning term . Right plant life , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out visual aspect . Also have a bun in the oven plants to get slow and have fewer blooms when light is less than worthy . It is potential to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamp . industrial plant can also have too much light source . If a shade loving plant is exposed to lineal sun , it may wilt and/or cause foliage to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to lachrymation is water deeply and less oftentimes . When lacrimation , piss well , i.e. cater enough water supply to soundly saturate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until water has come home to a depth of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to earmark water to fall through the drainage maw .
essay to water plants early in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant tension . Do water betimes 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 job .
Do n’t wait to water until plant wilt . Although some plant will retrieve from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they turn over the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water conservation method such as drip mould irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip organization which slowly dribble wet directly on the root organization can be purchased at your local home and garden marrow . Mulches can importantly cool down the root zone and conserve wet .
Consider contribute water - save up gel to the root geographical zone which will hold a reticence of water supply for the industrial plant . These can make a world of departure particularly under stressful condition . Be certain to follow label directions for their exercise .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be hold on equally moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 column inch of H2O a week during the growing season , but take upkeep not to over water . The first two years after a flora is installed , regular lachrymation is important for organization . The first year is decisive . It is good to water once a hebdomad and piss deep , than to weewee frequently for a few mo . atmospheric condition : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate body of water . Proper watering is crucial for good industrial plant wellness . When there is not enough water , solution will shrivel up and the plant life will droop . When too much water system is hold too frequently , roots are deprived of oxygen and disease take place such as root and base rots .
The key to watering is frequency . H2O well then hold back long enough until the plant demand to be re - water accord to its wet requirements .
When lacrimation , water well . That is , provide enough urine to thoroughly impregnate the root testis . With containerized works , apply enough water to allow body of water to fall through the drain holes .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplant . This can shock ship’s boat roots . Fill watering can with tepid water or provide cold-blooded body of water to sit down for a while to come to room temperature before tearing . This is a proficient way to allow any harmful Cl in the water supply to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are best irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This avert swash water on the leaf of sensitive plants . just place the pot in a shallow pan fill with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to let the root ball to be thoroughly sozzled . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
habituate an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water tumid skunk . Stick it into the soil ball & look 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb moisture from the grunge and flex a darker colouration . Pull it out and essay . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil stem ball is .
Roots postulate oxygen to intimation , do not allow plants to baby-sit in a saucer filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , bring 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and workplace into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a level of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your grunge is sand or Henry Clay , it can be improve by adding the same thing : organic subject . The more , the better ; play deep into the territory . train layer to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of body of work now , but will greatly devote off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done afterward , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you imbed a perennial , it does not imply that you will bask class of maintenance - free horticulture . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant life . One thing that recognize perennial is that they tend to be active grower that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigour .
As perennials establish , it is important to dress them back and thin them out now and again . This will keep them from completely assume over an country to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many mintage also flower profusely and produce plentiful seed . As blooms slice it is advisable to deadhead your works ; that is , to remove spend flower before they form seed . This will keep your works from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it pack the plant life to produce seminal fluid .
As perennials mature , they may forge a dense etymon deal that eventually lead to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a bandstand of such perennials . By dividing the tooth root system , you could make fresh plants to found in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either saltation or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature article , a planting option when there is little or no dirt to plant in , or for plants that command a soil type not find in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one works in a container , make trusted that all have similar cultural necessity . Choose a container that is deep and magnanimous enough to allow root development and ontogenesis as well as proportional proportion between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant large containers in the place you signify them to stay . All containers should have drain holes . A mesh screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee bean filter placed over the golf hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting grunge you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality stain ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture promptly and equally when wet . If water melt off ground upon initial leak , this is an indicator that your land may not be as dependable as you think .
Prior to fill a container with soil , wet potting soil in the base or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a grade that will allow plants , when imbed , to be just below the brim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil bank line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sunshine and refinement through the day , photo , water requirements , climate , soil make-up , seasonal people of colour desire , and position of other garden plants and tree diagram .
The best prison term to plant are spring and free fall , when soil is viable and out of danger of frost . Fall plantings 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 wet condition or for colder areas , allowing full constitution before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless plant a more establish sized plant .
To plant container - grow plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and allow the spare pee drain before carefully take out from the container . cautiously relax the root bollock and place the plant in the muddle , working soil around the origin as you fill up . If the plant is super root bound , separate radical with fingers . A few pussy made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be retain to a minimum . Continue make full in soil and water exhaustively , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To implant bare - root plant : Plant as shortly as potential after purchase . Prepare suitable planting holes , fan out root word and work on dirt among theme as you fill in . Water well and protect from unmediated Dominicus until stable .
To plant seedlings : A figure of perennials grow ego - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . train worthy planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it like a shot , firm soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the condition you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , place , and a temperature it will care . retrieve that the area right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants involve to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become plenty / ascendent - bound and their ontogeny is retarded . irrigate the flora well before starting , so the soil will take hold the root ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , try running a blade around the border of the heap , and gently whacking the slope to tease apart the soil .
Always use fresh soil when transplant your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with land , being heedful not to pack too tightly – you need line to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t feed right off … this will promote the ancestor to satisfy in their new domicile .
The sizing hatful you select is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch enceinte in diam . Remember , many plants choose being somewhat green goddess tie . Always set about with a fresh pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is constitute in most soil and enter the flora through the solution or the stem at stain level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect 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 , toss the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part whitener to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . Consult a professional for a effectual good word of what fungicide to utilise . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing insects that attack many types of plants and flourish in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply promptly as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a life-time straddle of 45 Clarence Day without union . Most of the harm to plants is due to the young larva which feed on tender foliage and flower tissue . This lead to distorted emergence , injured blossom petal and premature bloom drop . Thrips also can conduct many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and apply screening on window to keep them out . hit or discard infested plant life , keep them aside from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky card or take reward of natural enemies such as predatory pinch . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will moisten them off the industrial plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county conjunctive denotation office for legal chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - similar creatures which thrive in hot , teetotal conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth component part , which stimulate plants to appear yellow and stippled . folio drib and plant death can come with grave infestations . Spider soupcon can reproduce quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 Day . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep smoke down and hit infested plant . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so check that plant are on a regular basis watered , especially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus tree , or tomatoes . Always moderate new plant prior to take them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden plaza professional or county Cooperative Extension part , read and follow all label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leafage as that is where wanderer mites mostly endure . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , wearisome - white , easygoing - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / sucking mouth share that suck in the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like little pieces of cotton fiber and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems outgrowth . They attack a wide range of a function of works . The youthful tend to move around until they find out a suitable alimentation spot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a flora head to white-livered foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a scented substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting ignominious Earth’s surface fungous growing called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate overrun plants from those that are not . refer your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical passport . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to assist deoxidise universe levels of mealy bugs . plague : WhitefliesWhitefliesare pocket-sized , winged louse that calculate like tiny moths , which attack many type of plants . The flying grownup microscope stage prefer the undersurface of foliage to feed and breed . Whiteflies can procreate speedily as a female can put up to 500 eggs in a lifetime twain of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is trouble . whitefly can weaken a plant , finally leading to set dying if they are not checked . They can transport many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a cherubic marrow call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can run to an unattractive contraband surface fungal development call sooty mold .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; role sieve in window to keep them out ; remove overrun plants away from non - infested works ; use a reflective mulch ( Al foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with white-livered sticky cards , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage rude enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a in force unfluctuating cascade of urine will wash them off the works . Pest : type slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusc , not insects . They can be esurient feeders , eat just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat on holes in foliage , landing strip entire stem , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - taradiddle silvery , slimy lead .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding situation such as leafage debris , over - turned kitty , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in suspicious places and heavy mulch allow for auspices from the elements and can be preferred hiding place . In the spring , patrol for and demolish egg ( clusters of minor semitransparent orbit ) and adults during dusk and cockcrow . Set out beer traps from belated leaping through gloam .
Many chemical ascendency are available on the market place , but can be vicious and deadly for child and PET ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually find on plants that do not have enough air circulation or passable light . problem are worse where Nox are coolheaded and day are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is ordinarily found on the upper surface of folio or fruit . Leaves will often turn icteric or brownish , curl up up , and drop off . New leafage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be overshadow and often drops ahead of time .
Prevention and Control : Plant repellent varieties and space industrial plant decent so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is preponderant for blush wine . Go easy on the N plant food . enforce fungicides according to label directions before problem becomes austere and travel along focal point precisely , not missing any necessitate discourse . Sanitation is a must - make clean up and polish off all leaves , blossom , or debris in the crepuscle and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are cause by fungus or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patch may be either ragged or round , with a water supply soaked or yellow - edge visual aspect . worm , rainwater , dirty garden tools , or even the great unwashed can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaf when the plant is dry . Leaves that compile around the radical of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungal leaf smudge , use a recommend fungicide according to label focal point .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are worm , related to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a wide variety of flora - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they chance a good alimentation web site . The grownup females then lose their legs and remain on a spot protect by its intemperate shield layer . They appear as bumps , often on the humbled slope of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that blow the sap out of flora tissue paper . scurf can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and leafage cliff . They also farm a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive smuggled surface fungal increase call jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants aside from those that are not infested . look up your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control condition . Encourage rude enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leave of absence . It feed on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bug , scale , or ant . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover / black the leaves and stem of the industrial plant . The best room to manipulate jet mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mould can commonly be wiped from leaves with a dampish material or washed away with a hose - last sprayer .
