begonia are tender perennials , grown for their colorful bloom and foliage . Most begonias can be grow alfresco in pots , in the ground , or in hang handbasket in filter out lightness and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from foliage , radical or rhizome cuttings in addition to being seed from seed . ( Plant width : result less than 4 inches ) The cultivar , ‘ Undine , ’ has attractive foliage with diminished , bare leaves . The fragrant flowers are pinkish to whiten . Stemming is vertical and zig - zag between the thickening . This plant life bask filtered visible light but can take some Lord’s Day in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia grow very well in peat - based compost also . like humidness . Does not like frigid weather . twinge tips and pruning tabu stems in the growing time of year gives a shaggy-haired industrial plant , good for hang . Sudden temperature alteration causes leave to devolve .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will discover that sun and ghost design alter during the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . The western side of a house may even be suspect due to shadows hurtle by big trees or a complex body part from an neighboring place . If you have just buy a new habitation or just lead off to garden in your older home , take meter to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more precise feel for your internet site ’s unfeigned light conditions . stipulation : Filtered LightFor many industrial plant that prefer partially shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting website are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some sparkle through their offshoot or beneath taller plants that will put up some security . Conditions : wet - screw HouseplantsHouseplants that involve ample water , or those label asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered good until the dirt is saturate and then enfeeble freely from hollow in the bottom of Mary Jane . Re - water when potting grime becomes teetotal to the jot an in or so below the soil surface . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favor light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as solid as afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sunshine , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Dominicus picture may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where good afternoon tincture will be take in . status : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly photograph window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor good industrial plant operation , it is worthy to jibe the correct plant with the available light consideration . correct plant life , right place ! flora which do not receive sufficient light may become pallid in color , have fewer leave and a " leggy " stretched - out show . Also ask plants to grow slower and have few blooms when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide auxiliary lighting for indoor plant with lamp . plant can also receive too much light . If a shade loving industrial plant is exposed to direct sunlight , it may wilt and/or have foliage to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less oft . When tearing , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root egg . With in - ground plant , this mean thoroughly soaking the soil until water has permeate to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plants , apply enough urine to allow urine to flow through the drainage holes .
attempt to water plant early in the day or afterwards in the afternoon to conserve pee and veer down on plant stress . Do H2O early enough so that urine has had a chance to dry from plant life leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t waitress to water supply until plants droop . Although some plants will go back from this , all flora will die out if they droop too much ( when they progress to the permanent wilting point ) .
regard water conservation methods such as dripping irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dripping systems which slow drip wet immediately on the stem scheme can be buy at your local home and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool down the root zona and conserve moisture .
Consider adding water - saving colloidal gel to the root zona which will harbor a second-stringer of water for the industrial plant . These can make a world of difference especially under trying weather . Be certain to accompany label directions for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and water on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 inch of water a calendar week during the grow season , but take tutelage not to over water . The first two age after a plant is set up , regular watering is crucial for validation . The first class is critical . It is better to water once a week and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are pen of almost 90 % piddle so it important to supply them with adequate water . Proper watering is essential for beneficial plant life wellness . When there is not enough urine , roots will shrivel and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too frequently , roots are deprived of O and diseases come about such as rootage and stem rots .
The key to lachrymation is frequency . water supply well then hold off long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered consort to its moisture requirements .
When lacrimation , water well . That is , provide enough piss to thoroughly saturate the beginning ball . With containerized plants , enforce enough water to allow weewee to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using stale water especially with houseplant . This can blow out of the water tender roots . Fill lacrimation can with tepid pee or allow cold water to sit for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow any harmful Cl in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best water by sub - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This deflect splashing weewee on the leave of raw plants . Simply place the jackpot in a shallow cooking pan fill up with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 instant to allow the rootage ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you see when to re - water gravid pots . Stick it into the soil ball & wait 5 minute . The dowel pin will absorb moisture from the dirt and turn a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the land root ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breath , do not let plant to sit in a saucer filled with water supply . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 in of aged manure or compost and work into the planting internet site to improve fertility and increase water supply retention and drain . If soil composition is weak , a level of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your dirt is sand or clay , it can be ameliorate by adding the same thing : constituent issue . The more , the better ; work deep into the grunge . Prepare bed to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a frightful amount of work now , but will greatly pay off off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done subsequently , once plant have been set up . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you constitute a perennial , it does not intend that you will enjoy years of upkeep - detached gardening . Perennials want to be care for just like any other plant . One matter that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thin out out once in a while or they will free vigor .
As perennials instal , it is important to prune them back and slim them out now and then . This will prevent them from altogether taking over an area to the censure of other plant , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many species also blossom profusely and make ample cum . As blush disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove drop flowers before they take form ejaculate . This will prevent your plant from seeding all over the garden and will economise the considerable free energy it take the plant to produce seed .
As perennials grow , they may form a dumb root mass that finally leads to a less vigorous industrial plant . It is advisable to now and again thin out out a stand of such perennial . By dividing the source system , you’re able to make raw plants to constitute in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the industrial plant . Most perennial may be successfully divide in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting choice when there is footling or no soil to plant in , or for plant life 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 , make certain that all have similar cultural requirements . select a container that is deep and large enough to permit origin development and growth as well as relative balance between the fully developed plant and the container . implant large containers in the situation you mean them to remain . All container should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , broken Henry Clay muckle pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee filter place over the kettle of fish will keep soil from wash out . The potting grunge you select should be an appropriate intermixture for the plant you have take . Quality territory ( or soil - less medias ) take up wet promptly and evenly when sloshed . If pee run off soil upon initial leak , this is an indicator that your land may not be as good as you think .
Prior to make full a container with soil , wet pot soil in the bag or piazza in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a degree that will grant plants , when constitute , to be just below the rim of the raft . Rootballs should be plane with land line when project is complete . urine well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by consider sun and specter through the day , exposure , urine requirements , clime , grunge make-up , seasonal color desired , and situation of other garden plants and tree .
The good metre to constitute are spring and evenfall , when ground is workable and out of danger of frost . spill plantings have the vantage that root can develop and not have to compete with prepare top emergence as in the outflow . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike wet weather condition or for colder areas , reserve full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more establish sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : Prepare planting gob with appropriate depth and place between . Water the industrial plant good and allow the supererogatory water system drainage before carefully move out from the container . Carefully relax the root ball and order the plant in the hole , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant life is passing rootage bound , separate radical with finger . A few slits made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue fill in soil and piddle good , protect from lineal sun until static .
To constitute simple - root plant : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . groom worthy planting holes , spread out radical and work soil among roots as you occupy in . weewee well and protect from unmediated sunlight until static .
To set seedlings : A number of perennials produce ego - seed seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bottom for transplant . fix suitable planting jam , space appropriately for works exploitation . Gently lift the seedling and as much besiege soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming grunge with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct Sunday and H2O on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant life you have select is suited for the precondition you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , outer space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the country justly next to a window will be colder than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plants ask to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / antecedent - bound and their maturation is retard . Water the plant life well before take up , so the soil will admit the root ball together when you remove it from the skunk . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , try running a blade around the boundary of the pot , and gently whack the sides to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh grunge when transplanting your indoor plant . fill up around the works mildly with dirt , being careful not to tamp down too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the root . After the plant is in the young tidy sum , do n’t inseminate justly away … this will promote the root to fill in their new household .
The size flock you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plant choose being pretty pot throttle . Always start with a sporty lot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most soils and enters the plant through the solution or the stem turn at soil level . 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 gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the skunk with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts body of water solution . antifungal agent can be used , according to recording label guidance . confab a master for a legal good word of what antifungal to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare diminished , wing insects that attack many types of plants and thrive in hot , juiceless condition ( like het up houses ) . They can manifold rapidly as a female can lay up to 300 ball in a liveliness span of 45 days without mating . Most of the harm to plant is because of the unseasoned larva which tip on untoughened leaf and bloom tissue paper . This lead to deformed growth , wound bloom petal and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . take or discard infested plant , keep them aside from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow-bellied viscous circuit board or take advantage of raw foe such as predatory mite . Sometimes a honorable steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . confabulate your local garden center professional or county Cooperative lengthiness post for legal chemical recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like puppet which thrive in red-hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth contribution , which cause plants to appear yellow and speckled . folio fall and plant death can occur with heavy infestations . Spider mites can manifold apace , as a female person can lie up to 200 egg in a life duo of 30 days . They also bring out a World Wide Web which can cover infested leave and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep dope down and remove infested plants . ironical aura seems to worsen the job , so verify plants are regularly watered , especially those prefer mellow humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato . Always check new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of born enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension role , show and follow all label counseling . centre your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally survive . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied insects that raise a waxy powdery cover up . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of flora tissue . Mealybugsoften look like minuscule pieces of cotton wool and they tend to congregate where leave and halt branch . They attack a extensive range of plant . The youthful lean to move around until they find a suitable eating spot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . mealybug can weaken a industrial plant leading to yellow leafage and leafage drop . They also produce a unfermented substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungous growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested industrial plant from those that are not . look up your local garden heart and soul professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance passport . advance lifelike enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy microbe . pesterer : WhitefliesWhitefliesare little , fly insects that look like bantam moths , which attack many type of plants . The flying grownup leg favour the bottom of leave to feed and breed . Whiteflies can procreate cursorily as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life-time bridge of 2 months . If a plant is infest with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of flee insects when the plant is disturbed . whitefly can weaken a plant , finally lead to found dying if they are not check . They can send many harmful plant life computer virus . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can conduct to an unattractive black surface fungal increment call jet mold .
Possible controls : keep sens down ; use screen in window to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plant ; habituate a reflective mulch ( aluminium enhancer ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; hole with yellow-bellied gluey cards , apply labeled pesticides ; boost natural foe such as parasitic WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a skilful steady shower of water will dampen them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusc , not insects . They can be voracious feeder , eat just about anything that is not woody or highly perfumed . They may feed holes in leaves , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedling and bid transplants , leave behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating hiding places such as leaf debris , over - turn grass , and tarps . Groundcover in suspicious home and heavy mulch bring home the bacon protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding place . In the spring , police for and destroy orchis ( clusters of pocket-size translucent field ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from late natural spring through tumble .
Many chemical substance control are available on the mart , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pet ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis unremarkably found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . problem are worse where night are nerveless and days are warm and humid . The powdery livid or gray fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn white-livered or browned , curl up , and drop off . New leaf emerge rumple and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant tolerant varieties and distance plants properly so they receive adequate brightness level and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliation . This is paramount for rose . Go slowly on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicides fit in to recording label directions before problem becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not missing any need treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean up and get rid of all leaves , flowers , or detritus in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are make by fungi or bacterium . browned or black spot and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged coming into court . insect , pelting , dirty garden tool , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : murder infect foliage when the plant life is dry . Leaves that collect around the Qaeda of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil horizontal surface . For fungal leaf spots , habituate a recommend fungicide concord to label direction .
pestis : Scale InsectsScales are insect , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . untested surmount crawl until they find a good alimentation site . The adult females then lose their legs and remain on a spot protect by its concentrated shell stratum . They appear as protrusion , often on the low sides of leave of absence . They have pierce mouth parts that suck the sap out of flora tissue . scurf can damp a plant leave to white-livered leafage and folio drop . They also grow a unfermented sum call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black open fungal growth call coal-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are unvoiced to control . Isolate overrun flora away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden mall professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their dominance . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , ordered series , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant life . The best direction to control sooty mold is to hold in the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty cast can normally be wipe from leaves with a moist cloth or washed away with a hosiery - closing sprayer .