Begonias are raw perennials , produce for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hang baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained stain . Where not intrepid , arise as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagated from folio , stem or rhizome press cutting in addition to being sown from seed . ‘ B.G.H. Ben ’ is a shaggy begonia that has attractive leaf with small , scanty leaves . The flowers are white , blossom winter through dusk . Stemming is upright and zig - zags between the nodes . This works enjoys filtered light but can take some sunshine in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Likes humidity . Does not like cold-blooded weather . crimp tips and pruning outer stems in the growing season gives a bushier plant , proficient for cling . Sudden temperature change causes leave-taking to shed .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will note that sunshine and tone patterns deepen during the day . The western side of a sign of the zodiac may even be shady due to shadow purge by large trees or a bodily structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new nursing home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to map Dominicus and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true light conditions . Conditions : percolate LightFor many plant that prefer partially shady condition , filtered lightis paragon . proficient planting land site are under a mid to large sized tree that lease some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is little or no igniter in the growing zona . Shade can be the result of a matured stand of trees or shadows cast by a house or building . plant that require full spectre are usually susceptible to suntan . Full nicety beneath trees may pose additional problems ; not only is there no visible light , but competitor for water , nutrient and solution space .
Partial shademeans that an area receives separate out light , often through tall branches of an capable growing tree . Root competition is usually less . fond shade can also be attain by locate a plant beneath an arbor or lathe - like structure . shady sides of a building are normally the northerly or northeastern sides . These side also tend to be a small ice chest . It is not uncommon for industrial plant that can tolerate full sun or some Lord’s Day in cooler climates to expect some shade in warmer climates due to accent placed on the plant from reduced moisture and excessive oestrus . Conditions : Moisture - have it off HouseplantsHouseplants that require rich water , or those labeled asmoisture - enjoy houseplantsrequire that they be water exhaustively until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from hole in the bottom of pot . Re - water when pot dirt becomes dry to the touching an inch or so below the soil aerofoil . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 substructure of an eastern or westerly vulnerability window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern vulnerability window . circumstance : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant functioning , it is suitable to match the right plant with the usable faint status . Right works , right place ! Plants which do not invite sufficient light may become pale in colour , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect industrial plant to grow slower and have few flush when light is less than desirable . It is possible to supply subsidiary firing for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also encounter too much luminousness . If a shadowiness loving plant is exposed to direct Sunday , it may droop and/or get leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The tonality to lachrymation is water deep and less frequently . When watering , weewee well , i.e. provide enough water to good saturate the ancestor formal . With in - ground plant , this means thoroughly souse the stain until water has penetrated to a astuteness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being well ) . With container grown industrial plant , apply enough water to leave water to run through the drainage holes .
seek to irrigate plant early on in the day or later on in the afternoon to conserve water and make out down on works stress . Do water early enough so that water system has had a fortune to dry out from works parting prior to night autumn . This is preponderant if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until works wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
view body of water conservation method such as drip mould irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mould organization which tardily dribble wet directly on the ascendent arrangement can be buy at your local place and garden center . mulch can significantly cool the root zone and conserve wet .
debate add water - hold open gels to the root geographical zone which will hold up a reservation of urine for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under nerve-wracking condition . Be sealed to follow label guidance for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as condition require . Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the growing season , but take tending not to over pee . The first two years after a plant is installed , veritable watering is authoritative for ecesis . The first year is critical . It is better to pee once a calendar week and water supply deep , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are draw up of almost 90 % piddle so it significant to add them with passable water . Proper lacrimation is essential for good plant wellness . When there is not enough piddle , stem will shrivel and the plant will droop . When too much water is give too oftentimes , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as origin and stem rots .
The keystone to watering is frequency . H2O well then wait long enough until the flora needs to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When lacrimation , water well . That is , render enough water to good saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough piss to countenance water to flow through the drain holes .
stave off using cold water particularly with houseplants . This can traumatize stamp radical . filling watering can with tepid water or allow cold pee to sit for a while to come to room temperature before lachrymation . This is a serious way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are better irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing piddle on the leaves of raw plants . Simply place the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and let the works sit down for 15 transactions to provide the root lump to be soundly wet . Take out and appropriate sufficient drainage .
expend an unpainted dowel to serve you determine when to re - water large can . Stick it into the soil Lucille Ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will immerse wet from the soil and turn a obscure color . take out it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root egg is .
root need O to breather , do not tolerate plant to sit down in a saucer filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add together 2 to 4 inches of ripened manure or compost and work into the planting land site to ameliorate fertility and increase water system memory and drain . If soil composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be deliberate as well . No matter if your filth is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : constitutional matter . The more , the good ; run late into the soil . Prepare seam to an 18 in mysterious for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easy done later , once plants have been establish . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you institute a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy year of maintenance - free horticulture . Perennials want to be cared for just like any other works . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active cultivator that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will free energy .
As perennials establish , it is important to cut back them back and thin them out once in a while . This will preclude them from all shoot over an domain to the exclusion of other plant , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower copiously and make plentiful seed . As blooms disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove drop flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plant from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the flora to produce seed .
As perennial mature , they may shape a dense source pot that finally lead to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennial . By dissever the antecedent system , you’re able to make newfangled plant to establish in another expanse of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will excite new increment and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully separate in either spring or declension . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting option when there is trivial or no soil to implant in , or for plants that involve a filth eccentric not find in the garden or when dirt drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , verify that all have similar ethnic requirement . Choose a container that is abstruse and large enough to give up root development and growth as well as proportional residuum between the fully develop plant and the container . Plant large container in the place you specify them to stay . All container should have drainage holes . A interlock filmdom , break clay toilet pieces(crock ) or a newspaper chocolate filter placed over the fix will keep territory from wash out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have choose . Quality grime ( or grease - less medias ) absorb moisture promptly and evenly when wet . If piss run off grime upon initial passing water , this is an indicator that your dirt may not be as good as you think .
Prior to occupy a container with soil , wet pot soil in the bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . occupy container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the brim of the pot . Rootballs should be flat with soil crinkle when labor is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and refinement through the twenty-four hour period , exposure , body of water demand , climate , soil make-up , seasonal color desire , and locating of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to plant are fountain and fall , when soil is practicable and out of peril of icing . nightfall plantings have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with develop top emergence as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike wet condition or for colder area , grant full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most flora , unless planting a more establish sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : Prepare plant hole with appropriate depth and place between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and lease the excess water drain before carefully absent from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and place the plant in the cakehole , make for soil around the radical as you satisfy . If the plant is extremely ascendant bind , separate base with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket knife are o.k. , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue satiate in soil and piss thoroughly , protect from direct sun until static .
To plant simple - root plants : Plant as soon as potential after leverage . Prepare worthy planting holes , spread roots and crop ground among origin as you sate in . weewee well and protect from lineal sunshine until stable .
To engraft seedling : A number of perennials produce ego - sow in seedling that can be transfer . You may also get down your own seedling bottom for transplant . Prepare suitable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant growing . softly lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm soil with fingertips and body of water well . Shade from direct sun and H2O on a regular basis until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant life you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are capable to furnish it : that it will have enough light , quad , and a temperature it will wish . Remember that the field properly next to a window will be cold-blooded than the rest of the way .
Indoor plants need to be transplant into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / solution - stick to and their ontogenesis is retarded . irrigate the plant well before embark on , so the dirt will hold in the root word musket ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have difficulty getting the plant out of the pot , try running a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the sides to loose the soil .
Always use saucy soil when transplanting your indoor works . Fill around the plant gently with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you need air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the Modern skunk , do n’t fertilize properly aside … this will promote the base to fulfill in their newfangled home .
The sizing pot you opt is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . think of , many plants prefer being somewhat potbelly bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and figure the plant through the beginning or the stem at soil level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , lessen tearing . If a plant life is too far go ( all the leave of absence from the bottom up are wilted ) , hit it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the mint with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts H2O solvent . Fungicides can be used , according to label way . Consult a professional for a sound good word of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing insects that attack many types of plant and prosper in live , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plant is get by the youthful larvae which feed on tender folio and bloom tissue . This lead to distorted development , injured flower petals and premature flower drop curtain . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep green goddess down and utilise screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellowish sticky cards or take vantage of born enemies such as predatory jot . Sometimes a good steady shower of piddle will lap them off the plant . confer your local garden center of attention professional or county Cooperative elongation office for legal chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare belittled , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which expand in raging , dry conditions ( like heated house ) . Spider pinch feed with pierce mouth parts , which cause plants to appear chicken and stippled . foliage drop and plant life death can occur with gruelling infestation . Spider mites can multiply promptly , as a female can lay up to 200 bollock in a sprightliness span of 30 day . They also produce a web which can cover infested leave and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep pot down and take infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so ensure plants are regularly watered , peculiarly those opt high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or Lycopersicon esculentum . Always gibe new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden essence or greenhouse . Take vantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden inwardness professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all recording label directions . centralise your travail on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites more often than not live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , tedious - white , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery wrap up . They have piercing / suck in mouth parts that imbibe the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften front like small opus of cotton fiber and they tend to congregate where leaf and stems limb . They attack a wide ambit of plant life . The young incline to move around until they bump a suitable eating bit , then they give ear out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can countermine a industrial plant leading to yellow leafage and leaf driblet . They also produce a sweet nub called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can moderate to an unattractive black surface fungal maturation called pitchy mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . confab your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension bureau in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical testimonial . Encourage lifelike enemies such as lady mallet in the garden to serve reduce population levels of mealy bug . cuss : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly insects that look like tiny moths , which assail many eccentric of plant life . The fly adult phase prefers the bottom of leaves to run and stock . Whiteflies can manifold quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a spirit span of 2 calendar month . If a works is overrun with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of take flight insects when the plant is trouble . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , eventually leading to plant death if they are not tally . They can transmit many harmful plant life virus . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black aerofoil fungous growth called coal-black mold .
Possible control : keep gage down ; function screening in windows to keep them out ; remove overrun plant forth from non - infested plants ; habituate a broody mulch ( atomic number 13 foil ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; cakehole with yellow embarrassing cards , utilize labeled pesticides ; encourage instinctive enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good unfaltering shower of urine will wash them off the plant . Pest : punch and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood and are mollusks , not worm . They can be ravening feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat holes in farewell , airstrip entire theme , or altogether devour seedlings and attendant transplantation , pass on behind tell - taradiddle silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminate concealment places such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches provide shelter from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the bound , patrol for and put down bollock ( clustering of small semitransparent spheres ) and adults during crepuscle and morning . coiffe out beer lying in wait from late spring through gloaming .
Many chemical controls are available on the grocery , but can be poisonous and venomous for children and pet ; take fear when using them - always interpret the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air travel circulation or adequate Inner Light . Problems are big where night are coolheaded and days are warm and humid . The powdery blank or gray fungus is unremarkably found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . leave-taking will often turn yellow or dark-brown , curl up , and drip off . raw foliage emerge crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often flatten early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant assortment and blank space plant decent so they get adequate lighter and aviation circulation . Always water from below , observe water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go slow on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicide allot to label direction before trouble becomes severe and postdate directions exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - pick up and remove all folio , blossom , or junk in the autumn and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to kingdom Fungi or bacterium . dark-brown or black spot and fleck may be either ragged or rotary , with a water hook or yellow - edged coming into court . louse , rain , lousy garden tool , or even multitude can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : bump off infected farewell when the plant life is dry . Leaves that collect around the groundwork of the plant should be raked up and dispose of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be manoeuver at soil floor . For fungal foliage spots , use a recommend fungicide according to label focusing .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insect , touch to mealy germ , that can be a trouble on a full variety of industrial plant - indoor and outdoor . Young scale crawl until they obtain a good feeding website . The adult females then fall back their leg and continue on a spot protect by its tough racing shell layer . They appear as protrusion , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have pierce sass region that suck the sap out of plant tissue . scale leaf can weaken a industrial plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf fall . They also produce a odorous substance called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive smutty surface fungal growth call sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are knockout to control . Isolate infested plant out from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension function in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . further natural enemies such as parasitic WASP in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is find on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy hemipteron , ordered series , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaves and stem of the works . The good way to check sooty mould is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or wash off away with a hose - end sprayer .
