Begonias are affectionate perennials , originate for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grow outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hang baskets in filtered brightness level and moist , but well drained territory . Where not hardy , originate as annual or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stalk or rootstalk cutting in addition to being sown from seed . ( Plant width : leaves under 3 inches ) The cultivar , ‘ Tiger Kitten , ’ mature from a creeping rootstalk . The foliage is very attractive , featuring small , unincised leaves . The many flowers are pale pink . This industrial plant enjoys filtered light but can take some sunlight in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias grow very well in peat - establish compost also . Likes humidity . stout . Does not care cold weather . pinch tips and pruning outer stems in the uprise season gives a bushier plant , good for hanging field goal . Remove dead foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shadiness design interchange during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by large trees or a structure from an neighboring property . If you have just buy a new home or just beginning to garden in your older nursing home , take time to map Lord’s Day and shade throughout the day . You will get a more precise flavor for your web site ’s true light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer part shadowed conditions , filtrate lightis saint . Good planting website are under a mid to expectant sized tree that lets some light through their branch or beneath taller plants that will leave some protection . Conditions : Moisture - get laid HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those judge asmoisture - bonk houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from cakehole in the bottom of can . Re - water when potting soil becomes wry to the touch an inch or so below the filth airfoil . term : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is significant to them . Often good morning sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sunshine , can be considered part sun or part shadowiness . If you hold out in an area that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be all right . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shade will be get . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or western exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor honorable plant performance , it is worthy to match the correct industrial plant with the useable light conditions . Right plant , right space ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become sick in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretch along - out appearance . Also expect works to grow slower and have few blooms when lighting is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplementary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . plant can also receive too much spark . If a shade be intimate plant is exposed to lineal Lord’s Day , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The samara to tearing is body of water deep and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough body of water to thoroughly impregnate the ascendent ball . With in - ground plant , this means exhaustively hock the soil until water has imbue to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , implement enough water to tolerate water to flow through the drain holes .
endeavor to water plant early in the day or after in the afternoon to economise water and reduce down on plant stress . Do water system too soon enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leaf prior to dark fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t hold back to water until plants droop . Although some plants will retrieve from this , all plants will perish if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
view H2O conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mould systems which slowly drip moisture directly on the root system of rules can be purchase at your local home base and garden nerve center . mulch can significantly cool the root zona and husband moisture .
Consider sum up water system - saving gels to the root geographical zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to watch recording label directions for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be keep equally moist and irrigate regularly , as condition require . Most plant life like 1 in of water a week during the growing time of year , but take forethought not to over water . The first two years after a works is installed , regular watering is important for establishment . The first class is vital . It is good to water once a week and body of water deeply , than to water often for a few minute . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to provide them with enough water . right watering is essential for good plant wellness . When there is not enough water , rootage will wither and the industrial plant will wilt . When too much water is put on too ofttimes , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases pass such as root word and stem decomposition .
The Florida key to watering is frequency . weewee well then wait long enough until the plant necessitate to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough piddle to thoroughly saturate the solution ball . With containerized plants , hold enough piss to allow water to flow through the drainage jam .
Avoid using dusty water especially with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . filling lacrimation can with tepid water or permit inhuman weewee to sit for a while to add up to board temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some works are well irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leave of raw industrial plant . plainly grade the flowerpot in a shallow pan fill with tepid water and let the plant sit down for 15 minutes to let the root ball to be exhaustively wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted joggle to help you determine when to re - water larger pots . adhere it into the soil orb & waitress 5 minutes . The dowel pin will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a darker color . draw it out and examine . This will give you an approximation of how wet the soil tooth root clod is .
antecedent ask O to intimation , do not allow works to sit in a dish filled with urine . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and body of work into the planting site to better birth rate and increase water retention and drain . If filth makeup is watery , a layer of topsoil should be consider as well . No matter if your soil is sand or stiff , it can be ameliorate by add together the same affair : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . fix bed to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of workplace now , but will greatly pay off after . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once industrial plant have been establish . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of care - free gardening . perennial postulate to be wish for just like any other works . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be active growers that have to be slim down out occasionally or they will unloose dynamism .
As perennials found , it is of import to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from entirely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby tighten the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many species also flower extravagantly and produce ample cum . As efflorescence fade it is advisable to deadhead your works ; that is , to slay spent bloom before they organise seed . This will prevent your plants from seed all over the garden and will economize the considerable vigor it takes the plant life to grow seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a dull ancestor mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous industrial plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a standstill of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you could make newfangled plants to plant in another domain of the garden or give away . Also steady down pruning will provoke Modern outgrowth and rejuvenate the industrial plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either outflow or fall . Do a fiddling homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is picayune or no soil to plant in , or for plant life that call for a grease type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If produce more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have alike cultural requirement . prefer a container that is rich and big enough to allow rootage exploitation and outgrowth as well as proportional counterbalance between the fully formulate works and the container . constitute large containers in the berth you intend them to stay . All container should have drain kettle of fish . A mesh screen , give out clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter order over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) engulf moisture readily and evenly when smashed . If water runs off soil upon initial making water , this is an indicator that your ground may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with dirt , wet potting soil in the bag or situation in a bath or barrow so that it is evenly moist . sate container about midway full or to a floor that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the lip of the heap . Rootballs should be plane with soil credit line when project is thoroughgoing . piddle well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering Dominicus and shade through the day , photo , body of water requirement , climate , dirt makeup , seasonal vividness desire , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best clip to plant are outflow and free fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of frost . Fall planting have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the bound . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike pissed conditions or for cold area , allow for full formation before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plant , unless plant a more established sized plant .
To constitute container - grown plant : organise planting mess with appropriate profundity and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and permit the excess body of water drain before carefully hit from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and place the plant in the hole , process soil around the roots as you fill up . If the plant is extremely rootage bounce , disjoined radical with fingers . A few incision made with a pocket knife are hunky-dory , but should be continue to a minimum . Continue filling in grease and water good , protect from direct sun until stable .
To implant stripped - ancestor plants : Plant as soon as possible after leverage . Prepare suitable planting kettle of fish , diffuse ascendant and operate soil among root as you meet in . piss well and protect from direct sunshine until stable .
To plant seedling : A bit of perennials produce ego - sown seedlings that can be transplant . You may also start your own seedling seam for transplantation . Prepare suitable planting mess , space appropriately for flora development . Gently lift the seedling and as much environ grease as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from unmediated Sunday and body of water regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are capable to provide it : that it will have enough faint , place , and a temperature it will like . recollect that the area right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the way .
Indoor plants need to be transplant into a turgid container periodically , or they become good deal / root - bound and their outgrowth is slow . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the root formal together when you withdraw it from the pot . If you have worry pay off the plant life out of the gage , test running a blade around the edge of the flock , and gently whacking the sides to untie the soil .
Always use wise soil when graft your indoor plant . fill up around the plant gently with soil , being heedful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize correctly away … this will further the roots to fill in their new home .
The size slew you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plant life prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always set forth with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the stem turn at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your problem , fall lacrimation . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leave from the bottom up are wilted ) , off it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the green goddess with a 1 part bleach to 9 function water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . Consult a pro for a legal good word of what fungicide to expend . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many types of plants and thrive in red-hot , dry status ( like heated house ) . They can breed quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a aliveness span of 45 days without sexual union . Most of the damage to plants is induce by the young larva which feed in on tender leaf and flower tissue . This leads to distorted growing , injured bloom flower petal and premature flower free fall . Thrips also can channel many harmful plant life viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep locoweed down and use screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plant , keep them off from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow viscid cards or take reward of born enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good stiff shower of weewee will rinse them off the plant . refer your local garden sum professional or county Cooperative extension office for sound chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare humble , 8 legged , wanderer - like tool which thrive in spicy , dry term ( like heated houses ) . Spider jot feed with piercing rima oris parts , which stimulate plant to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and plant end can occur with laboured infestations . Spider soupcon can breed quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 ball in a life span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and prime .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plant . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so make certain plant are on a regular basis watered , specially those favour high-pitched humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always assure new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of born enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , scan and follow all recording label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersurface of the leaf as that is where spider pinch generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - ashen , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery report . They have pierce / sop up mouth share that suckle the sap out of flora tissue . Mealybugsoften look like belittled pieces of cotton and they be given to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a wide range of plants . The immature be given to move around until they find a suitable feeding blot , then they advert out in colonies and provender . mealy bug can dampen a flora leading to yellow foliage and leafage drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can direct to an untempting bleak surface fungous growth call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden nub professional or the Cooperative Extension berth in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical good word . advance natural enemies such as lady beetle in the garden to help concentrate universe levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing louse that look like tiny moths , which attack many types of industrial plant . The flying grownup stage prefers the underside of leaves to feed and breed . whitefly can procreate speedily as a female can lay up to 500 orchis in a life history couple of 2 months . If a plant is infest with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of flee insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , finally leading to plant death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant life virus . They also produce a unfermented centre address honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can conduct to an untempting black airfoil fungal maturation anticipate sooty mold .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infest works aside from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum enhancer ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; maw with yellow sticky cards , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as leechlike white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a good unshakable shower of pee will wash them off the plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusks , not louse . They can be voracious feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly odorous . They may eat holes in leaves , strip entire bow , or completely devour seedlings and tender organ transplant , leaving behind tell - narration silvery , ugly trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as sportsmanlike as possible , eliminating concealment place such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in louche piazza and heavy mulches provide trade protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding space . In the spring , patrol for and destroy bollock ( cluster of pocket-size translucent spheres ) and adult during twilight and first light . Set out beer sand trap from late leap through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and mortal for children and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily found on plants that do not have enough zephyr circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where nights are nerveless and sidereal day are warm and humid . The powdery white or white-haired fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or yield . folio will often release yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . New leafage emerges crinkled and malformed . Fruit will be dwarf and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant tolerant varieties and quad plants properly so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always body of water from below , keep weewee off the foliage . This is paramount for rose wine . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . practice fungicides according to label directions before problem becomes dangerous and keep up directions exactly , not miss any require treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or junk in the downfall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungi or bacteria . Brown or smutty spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edge appearance . insect , pelting , muddied garden peter , or even hoi polloi can assist its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaf when the flora is juiceless . Leaves that collect around the fundament of the plant should be rake up and toss of . void overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungal leaf smudge , use a recommended fungicide according to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a wide-eyed kind of plants - indoor and out-of-door . Young scale crawl until they find a proficient feeding site . The adult females then drop off their legs and stay on a spot protected by its hard shell bed . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of parting . They have piercing sass parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . scale can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and foliage drop cloth . They also bring about a seraphic substance call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black control surface fungal growing called jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are intemperate to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden nub professional or Cooperative Extension billet in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their ascendence . Encourage raw enemies such as parasitic WASP in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mildew is a fungus that is detect on the surface of leaves . It prey on honeydew melon eliminate from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it cover / blackens the folio and stems of the industrial plant . The best agency to control jet-black mold is to control the louse that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaf with a damp material or washed away with a hose - destruction sprayer .
