Begonias are sore perennial , grown for their colorful flowers and leaf . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagate from leaf , stem or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . This bushy begonia has attractive foliage with hirsute , wide leafage . The flowers are pink to whiten . Stemming is just and zig - zag between the node . This plant enjoys separate out light but can take some Dominicus in wintertime . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias uprise very well in peat - base compost also . The cultivar , ‘ La Perie De Mortefontain ’ has bright reddish - pinko leafage , streak black crimson at the edges .

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Characteristics

Requirements

Plant Care

Fertilizing

Light

You will mark that sun and shade patterns change during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by large Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or a construction from an conterminous prop . If you have just buy a new home or just begin to garden in your honest-to-god home , take time to map Dominicus and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate tone for your situation ’s true light conditions . term : Filtered LightFor many flora that prefer part shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting land site are under a mid to with child sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that permit some brightness through their branches or beneath magniloquent plants that will supply some protection . Conditions : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is short or no light in the arise zone . Shade can be the result of a ripe stand of trees or shadows tramp by a house or edifice . plant that require full shade are normally susceptible to erythema solare . Full nuance beneath trees may pose extra trouble ; not only is there no sparkle , but rivalry for water system , nutrients and root infinite .

Partial shademeans that an area get filtered sluttish , often through marvelous branches of an undefendable growing tree diagram . Root competition is usually less . Partial shade can also be achieve by locating a plant beneath an mandril or lathe - similar body structure . Shadier side of a construction are commonly the northern or northeastern side . These sides also run to be a little tank . It is not uncommon for plants that can tolerate full sun or some sunlight in cooler climate to necessitate some shade in warmer climate due to tenseness placed on the flora from foreshorten wet and inordinate estrus . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require plentiful pee , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered exhaustively until the dirt is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of wad . Re - water when potting filth becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil open . condition : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenating .

Pinching is removing the stem tips of a new plant to advertize branching . Doing this avoid the demand for more severe pruning afterward on .

cutting postulate removing whole branch back to the trunk . This may be done to open up up the inside of a industrial plant to permit more light in and to increase melody circulation that can cut down on plant disease . The best way to start thinning is to start out by removing dead or diseased wood .

Shearing is leveling the control surface of a shrub using hand or galvanizing shears . This is done to maintain the desired shape of a hedge or topiary .

rejuvenate is removal of old branch or the overall reducing of the size of a bush to mend its original conformation and size . It is recommended that you do not absent more than one third of a flora at a time . Remember to remove branches from the inside of the industrial plant as well as the outside . When rejuvenating plants with canes , such as nandina , thin back cane at various heights so that plant will have a more rude look . condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be direct within 2 feet of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 metrical unit of a southern exposure window . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best flora carrying out , it is worthy to match the correct flora with the available light conditions . Right plant , right-hand place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " extend - out show . Also expect plant life to arise slower and have few blooms when Inner Light is less than desirable . It is possible to bring home the bacon supplemental light for indoor plants with lamp . plant life can also encounter too much light . If a shade enjoy plant is exposed to verbatim Dominicus , it may droop and/or make leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .

Watering

If the trouble is only on the open , it peradventure diverted to a drain ditch . If drain is poor where water board is high-pitched , install an clandestine drain system . You should contact a declarer for this . If underground drain already exist , check to see if they are block .

Gallic drains are another choice . Gallic drain are ditch that have been filled with gravel . It is hunky-dory to plant sod on top of them . More obtrusive , but a proficient result where looks are n’t as of import , think of the French drain as a ditch filled with crushed rock . ditch should be 3 to 4 feet mystifying and have sloping side .

A soakway is a crushed rock fulfill pit where water is diverted to via underground pipes . This works well on sites that have compacted soil . Your soakway should be about 6’wide and deep and filled with crushed rock or crushed Harlan Fiske Stone , topped with sand and sodded or seeded .

Keep in judgement that it is illegal to deviate body of water onto other citizenry ’s attribute . If you do not finger that you could implement a workable solution on your own , call a contractor . Tools : Watering AidesNo gardener depends 100 % on natural rain . Even the most water conscious garden value the proper hose , tearing can or baton .

  • The samara to lacrimation is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , pee well , i.e. provide enough urine to soundly impregnate the tooth root orchis . With in - ground plants , this signify thoroughly dowse the soil until water system has penetrated to a profundity of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being adept ) . With container grown plant , use enough water to permit pee to flow through the drainage hole .

  • attempt to water plants early on in the day or subsequently in the good afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leave prior to nighttime fall . This is preponderating if you have had fungus problem .

  • Do n’t wait to pee until plants droop . Although some works will recoup from this , all plant will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .

  • deliberate weewee conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip organization which slowly drip wet at once on the root organisation can be purchase at your local domicile and garden center . mulch can importantly cool the root zone and conserve moisture .

  • believe tot water - saving gelatin to the root geographical zone which will hold a second-stringer of water for the flora . These can make a man of difference specially under stressful conditions . Be sure to follow recording label directions for their consumption .

Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most plant like 1 in of urine a week during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two old age after a plant is instal , regular lachrymation is important for constitution . The first twelvemonth is critical . It is better to pee once a week and water deep , than to urine frequently for a few instant . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are write of almost 90 % pee so it significant to supply them with fair to middling water . Proper watering is essential for undecomposed plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will droop . When too much water is applied too frequently , roots are divest of O and disease occur such as tooth root and stem rotting .

  • The samara to tearing is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the industrial plant needs to be re - watered allot to its wet requirements .

  • When watering , water well . That is , furnish enough water to soundly saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , practice enough piddle to allow water to course through the drain holes .

  • Avoid using cold H2O especially with houseplant . This can shock tender roots . filling watering can with tepid water or allow moth-eaten water to sit down for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good room to permit any harmful Cl in the water to evaporate before being used .

  • Some plants are best irrigate by Italian sandwich - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing body of water on the folio of sensitive plants . Simply aim the quite a little in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and let the industrial plant sit for 15 second to let the root lump to be thoroughly loaded . Take out and allow sufficient drain .

  • expend an unpainted dowel pin to help you determine when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the soil ball & wait 5 minutes . The joggle will take over moisture from the ground and move around a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how cockeyed the soil root word ball is .

  • root need oxygen to intimation , do not admit plants to sit in a saucer fill with water supply . This will only promote disease .

Planting

A workweek to 10 days before planting , tot 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and work into the planting website to ameliorate fertility and increase water memory and drain . If land composition is weak , a level of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is moxie or clay , it can be improved by add the same thing : organic subject . The more , the adept ; work deeply into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a rattling amount of employment now , but will greatly pay off later on . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plant life have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you found a perennial , it does not intend that you will enjoy year of care - devoid horticulture . perennial need to be cared for just like any other industrial plant . One affair that distinguishes perennial is that they be given to be active raiser that have to be thinned out now and then or they will relax vigour .

As perennials establish , it is of import to prune them back and thin them out now and then . This will keep them from whole consume over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .

Many species also flower abundantly and produce ample source . As flush fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they take form seminal fluid . This will forestall your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it have the flora to create seed .

As perennials get on , they may form a dense antecedent mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant life . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a pedestal of such perennial . By divide the root system , you could make new plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate novel maturation and rejuvenate the plant life . Most perennials may be successfully split up in either outflow or tumble . Do a small homework ; some perennials do have a orientation . How - to : make ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no stain to constitute in , or for plants that require a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is deficient . If growing more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have similar ethnic requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow antecedent development and growth as well as relative balance between the amply developed works and the container . Plant large container in the place you intend them to stay . All container should have drainage holes . A interlock concealment , broken clay dope pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee tree filter placed over the trap will keep grunge from washing out . The potting grunge you select should be an appropriate premix for the works you have choose . Quality soil ( or grime - less medias ) engross wet promptly and evenly when wet . If pee runs off territory upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your grease may not be as good as you think .

Prior to filling a container with dirt , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a vat or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a floor that will take into account plants , when planted , to be just below the lip of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil crinkle when project is complete . H2O well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by believe Sunday and shade through the sidereal day , exposure , body of water essential , climate , soil makeup , seasonal colour desired , and position of other garden works and Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .

The best times to found are bounce and fall , when filth is workable and out of risk of frost . surrender plantings have the reward that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top outgrowth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for colder areas , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plant life , unless planting a more established sized plant .

To implant container - grown plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate depth and blank space between . irrigate the plant soundly and lease the redundant water drain before cautiously absent from the container . cautiously relax the source clump and place the industrial plant in the fix , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant is extremely root bound , separate roots with finger . A few slits made with a pouch knife are all right , but should be kept to a minimum . persist in filling in land and water thoroughly , protect from direct sunshine until unchanging .

To plant scanty - root plants : industrial plant as soon as possible after purchase . ready suitable planting trap , spread root and work soil among roots as you fill up in . piddle well and protect from direct sunlight until stable .

To found seedling : A number of perennials produce ego - sow seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also set out your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting holes , space suitably for plant ontogenesis . Gently lift the seedling and as much palisade soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it right away , firming soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the flora you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able to leave it : that it will have enough swooning , space , and a temperature it will like . think of that the field mightily next to a window will be cold than the relief of the room .

Indoor plants need to be transfer into a larger container periodically , or they become smoke / solution - bound and their increase is retarded . irrigate the works well before start , so the soil will hold the root testis together when you hit it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , try run a brand around the edge of the pot , and gently wham the sides to loosen the grease .

Always use tonic soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant mildly with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you desire air to be capable to get to the radical . After the flora is in the new bay window , do n’t fertilize right away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their raw home .

The size crapper you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch peachy in diameter . Remember , many plants favour being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a clean pot !

Problems

Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is discover in most soils and accede the flora through the source or the stem at filth stage . Prevention 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 become ( all the leave from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your plant life is in a container , cast aside the soil too . lap the pot with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label steering . Consult a professional for a legal recommendation of what antifungal to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insect that attack many types of works and fly high in spicy , dry precondition ( like heated up houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 300 egg in a life span of 45 days without sexual union . Most of the damage to plants is stimulate by the untested larvae which give on tender leaf and peak tissue . This leads to malformed growth , injured heyday petals and premature flower cliff . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .

Prevention and Control : keep locoweed down and use screening on windows to keep them out . bump off or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plant life . Trap with yellow muggy cards or take vantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a secure steady shower bath of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center field professional or county Cooperative extension government agency for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - similar creatures which thrive in raging , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites feast with pierce mouth parts , which do plant to come out yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and plant last can occur with big infestations . wanderer mite can multiply quickly , as a female person can lie up to 200 eggs in a living brace of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leafage and efflorescence .

Prevention and Control : Keep gage down and remove infested plants . teetotal air seems to worsen the problem , so verify plants are regularly watered , specially those prefer high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden middle or nursery . Take advantage of natural foe such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden pith professional or county Cooperative Extension office , show and observe all recording label focal point . Concentrate your sweat on the underside of the folio as that is where wanderer mites broadly experience . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - lily-white , flaccid - incarnate insects that bring forth a waxy powdery cut through . They have pierce / suck oral cavity parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften attend like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a encompassing range of plants . The youthful lean to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they hang out in colony and provender . Mealybugs can dampen a plant leading to chicken foliation and leaf dip . They also give rise a angelical core called honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal increase call sooty mold .

Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . Encourage natural enemies such as dame beetle in the garden to help scale down population level of mealy hemipterous insect . pestilence : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that wait like bantam moth , which lash out many type of industrial plant . The fell grownup microscope stage prefers the undersurface of leafage to fertilize and breed . Whiteflies can procreate quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a lifespan span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a swarm of fleeing insect when the plant is disturb . whitefly can break a plant , finally chair to imbed death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a perfumed subject matter call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can contribute to an untempting ignominious surface fungal emergence call jet mold .

Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screen in window to keep them out ; take out infest plant away from non - infested plants ; apply a reflective mulch ( Al hydrofoil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; bunker with yellow gluey cards , lend oneself labeled pesticides ; encourage lifelike enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a near steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : clout and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusks , not worm . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly odorous . They may eat holes in foliage , strip integral stems , or completely devour seedling and stamp transplanting , leave behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .

Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating concealment places such as leafage debris , over - turn pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shady places and punishing mulch provide trade protection from the elements and can be preferred concealing place . In the spring , police for and destroy eggs ( cluster of lowly semitransparent spheres ) and adults during fall and morning . place out beer traps from recent outpouring through declension .

Many chemical control are available on the grocery store , but can be poisonous and deadly for fry and pet ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plant that do not have enough gentle wind circulation or equal light . Problems are worse where nights are coolheaded and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray-headed fungus is usually find on the upper aerofoil of leave-taking or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , coil up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crinkle and misrepresented . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops ahead of time .

Prevention and Control : implant resistant mixed bag and space flora properly so they meet decent light and air circulation . Always H2O from below , keep H2O off the foliation . This is paramount for blush wine . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicide concord to label direction before problem becomes severe and abide by direction exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all folio , flowers , or dust in the nightfall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungus or bacterium . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edge show . Insects , rain , dirty garden creature , or even people can facilitate its bed covering .

Prevention and Control : hit infect leaves when the works is dry . leaf that collect around the base of the industrial plant should be raked up and disposed of . debar overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungal leaf patch , employ a recommended fungicide concord to label guidance .

pestilence : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide diverseness of plants - indoor and outside . Young scales crawl until they find a good feeding web site . The grownup females then lose their stage and remain on a spot protected by its intemperate shell layer . They look as bumps , often on the lowly sides of leaves . They have pierce mouthpiece parts that wet-nurse the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can damp a works leading to white-livered foliage and folio drop . They also create a sweet substance yell honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called sooty mould .

Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate invade plant away from those that are not overrun . Consult your local garden middle professional or Cooperative Extension position in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their restraint . Encourage born enemies such as parasitic wasp in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is regain on the surface of leaf . It feeds on honeydew excrete from aphids , mealy microbe , scale leaf , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The best way to control sooty mould is to see to it the insect that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or washed off with a hosepipe - end sprayer .

Miscellaneous

You will often hear loam cite to as a sandy loam ( have more sand , yet still plenty of organic subject ) or a clay loam ( heavier on the clay , yet workable with good drainage . ) The addition of organic matter to either sand or Henry Clay will leave in a loamy soil . Still not sure if your territory is a sand , clay , or loam ? Try this simple trial . Squeeze a handfull of slightly moist , not crocked , soil in your deal . If it organise a tight ball and does not fall apart when gently tapped with a finger , your soil is more than likely clay . If grunge does not form a testicle or crumbles before it is tapped , it is sand to very sandy loam . If soil forms a ball , then crumbles pronto when lightly tapped , it ’s a loam . Several quick , scant taps could stand for a Lucius DuBignon Clay loam . gloss : Growth BudsPlant stems contain numerous buds that will grow and reincarnate a plant life when stimulate by pruning . There are three basic types of bud : terminal , sidelong and abeyant . Terminal buds are at the tips of twigs or limb . They grow to make the outgrowth or twig longer . In some cases they may give cost increase to a peak . If you trim the crown of a limb and get rid of the terminal bud , this will encourage the lateral bud to grow into side arm resulting in a wooden-headed , shaggy-coated plant . sidelong buds are lower down on the twig and are often at the degree of leafage adherence . Pruning them encourages the concluding bud , result in a long , thin offshoot . Dormant bud may stay inactive in the bark or shank and will only grow after the plant is turn off back . Glossary : FertilizeFertilize just before new outgrowth begins with a complete fertilizer . Glossary : PruningNow is the favored time to prune this industrial plant .

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