Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their coloured flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well enfeeble dirt . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be disperse from leafage , prow or rhizome cutting in addition to being sown from come . ‘ Carlton Bizarre ’ is a bushy begonia that is erect with succulent fore . The flowers are dual . The bronze leaves are lustrous , smooth and ovate . This plant life can stomach full sunshine . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Does not care frigid weather . pinch wind and pruning outer stems in the growing season gives a bushier works .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Sunday and shade form vary during the 24-hour interval . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadow cast by large trees or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just purchase a raw home or just beginning to garden in your older place , take time to map out sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feeling for your site ’s unfeigned light precondition . term : Filtered LightFor many plant that favor partly shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . sound planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that rent some Light Within through their leg or beneath taller plant that will render some protection . shape : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require plenteous water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be irrigate exhaustively until the soil is saturated and then drain freely from hole in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the soupcon an inch or so below the stain Earth’s surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer lightness that is filtered . Sunlight , though not verbatim , is significant to them . Often aurora Sunday , because it is not as strong as afternoon Lord’s Day , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you hold up in an expanse that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , industrial plant in a location where afternoon specter will be receive . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or western vulnerability window or within 2 to 5 foot of a southerly photograph window . stipulation : Light and Plant SelectionFor respectable plant public presentation , it is desirable to match the correct plant with the available tripping condition . veracious plant , proper lieu ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out coming into court . Also expect works to grow slow and have fewer blooms when illumination is less than desirable . It is possible to cater subsidiary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . works can also receive too much light . If a shade loving plant is exposed to direct sunlight , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The samara to watering is water profoundly and less frequently . When watering , weewee well , i.e. provide enough piss to thoroughly impregnate the ancestor testis . With in - ground plants , this mean thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a astuteness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , go for enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
attempt to water industrial plant early in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve piddle and cut down on flora emphasis . Do water early enough so that water has had a probability to dry from plant folio prior to night fall . This is predominant if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plants wilt . Although some plant life will recover from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting breaker point ) .
Consider water preservation methods such as drip mold irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which tardily drip wet straight on the root organisation can be purchase at your local home and garden nitty-gritty . mulch can importantly cool the radical zone and economise moisture .
Consider add water - saving gels to the solution zone which will obligate a reticence of water for the flora . These can make a globe of difference specially under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and water regularly , as conditions call for . Most plants like 1 in of water a hebdomad during the mature season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , unconstipated watering is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is safe to water once a calendar week and piss deeply , than to water oft for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water system so it important to provide them with decent water . Proper lachrymation is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough water , theme will wither and the plant will droop . When too much urine is implement too often , roots are deprived of oxygen and disease occur such as rootage and stem rotting .
The cay to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the works ask to be re - watered according to its wet requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , bring home the bacon enough urine to exhaustively saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow piddle to fall through the drain pickle .
Avoid using insensate water especially with houseplants . This can blow out of the water attendant rootage . filling lachrymation can with tepid water or permit moth-eaten water to sit for a while to come to board temperature before lacrimation . This is a upright way to reserve any harmful Cl in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by bomber - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoid splash urine on the farewell of sore plant . but localise the pot in a shallow goat god filled with tepid weewee and let the flora sit down for 15 minutes to allow the ancestor ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and take into account sufficient drain .
practice an unpainted dowel pin to help you determine when to re - water larger smoke . Stick it into the grime musket ball & wait 5 minute . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and move around a dismal color . Pull it out and probe . This will give you an idea of how wet the dirt root testis is .
Roots necessitate O to breath , do not tolerate works to sit in a saucer filled with urine . This will only raise disease .
Planting
A week to 10 day before planting , bestow 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and piece of work into the planting internet site to better rankness and increase water memory and drain . If grime musical composition is unaccented , a layer of topsoil should be consider as well . No matter if your soil is gumption or clay , it can be improved by adding the same affair : organic matter . The more , the in force ; work deeply into the stain . educate bed to an 18 column inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a enormous amount of work now , but will greatly pay up off later on . Besides , this is not something that is easy done afterwards , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not think of that you will delight years of maintenance - free horticulture . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they lean to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to trim them back and thin them out occasionally . This will keep them from wholly carry over an domain to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase airwave circulation thereby reduce the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many metal money also blossom abundantly and grow sizable seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your works ; that is , to off spent blossom before they shape source . This will foreclose your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to farm seeded player .
As perennials mature , they may shape a dense theme people that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to on occasion dilute out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root organisation , you could make young plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new increment and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little prep ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting option when there is petty or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a soil eccentric not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant life in a container , make certain that all have interchangeable cultural demand . prefer a container that is bass and enceinte enough to allow root development and growth as well as relative proportionality between the fully developed industrial plant and the container . Plant large container in the place you intend them to stay . All container should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee bean filter placed over the jam will keep grease from washing out . The potting grease you select should be an appropriate intermixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality dirt ( or soil - less medias ) draw moisture readily and equally when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial making water , this is an indicant that your soil may not be as secure as you imagine .
Prior to replete a container with soil , wet pot grease in the bag or berth in a bathtub or garden cart so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the rim of the peck . Rootballs should be plane with dirt line when project is complete . water supply well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and tint through the day , pic , piss requirement , climate , soil war paint , seasonal colour desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The ripe times to plant are bounce and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of frost . Fall planting have the advantage that solution can grow and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet condition or for colder areas , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most plant , unless plant a more established sized works .
To embed container - grown plants : cook establish holes with appropriate depth and blank space between . irrigate the industrial plant thoroughly and let the excess H2O drain before cautiously remove from the container . Carefully untie the root ball and place the plant in the hole , working soil around the solution as you fill up . If the plant life is highly ascendent bound , separate roots with fingers . A few scratch made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be keep open to a lower limit . remain filling in filth and body of water good , protecting from lineal sun until unchanging .
To plant bare - beginning works : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . machinate suited planting holes , open root and go soil among root as you fill in . water system well and protect from direct sun until unchanging .
To plant seedling : A number of perennial produce ego - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting hole , spacing suitably for industrial plant growth . Gently lift the seedling and as much wall grunge as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and urine regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the industrial plant you have chosen is suited for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , place , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor works need to be transplant into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - bind and their growth is check . Water the plant well before starting , so the grease will hold the etymon ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , try running a vane around the edge of the pot , and softly whack the sides to loosen the filth .
Always utilize fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with soil , being careful not to carry too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new weed , do n’t fecundate right away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new home .
The sizing pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch dandy in diameter . recollect , many plants prefer being fairly pot bound . Always start with a clear good deal !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is witness in most territory and enters the plant through the base or the stem at grease grade . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , fall lachrymation . If a plant is too far go ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . lave the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parting body of water solution . Fungicides can be used , accord to label directions . look up a master for a sound recommendation of what antimycotic agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare minor , winged dirt ball that attack many types of plants and prosper in hot , dry conditions ( like heated up house ) . They can multiply chop-chop as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life-time span of 45 days without pairing . Most of the impairment to plants is because of the young larvae which feed on untoughened leaf and flush tissue . This leads to distorted growth , injure bloom flower petal and untimely bloom fall . Thrips also can channelise many harmful flora virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weed down and apply block out on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested works , keep them aside from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky placard or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a near unfaltering shower of weewee will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension authority for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like tool which thrive in red-hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider hint feed with piercing mouth parts , which get plants to appear yellow and specked . Leaf drib and plant destruction can take place with heavy infestations . wanderer mites can multiply quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 orchis in a life span of 30 day . They also produce a internet which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep pot down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so check that plant are regularly watered , specially those prefer mellow humidity such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or tomatoes . Always learn new plants prior to bring them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative Extension spot , read and follow all label directions . condense your efforts on the undersides of the leave of absence as that is where wanderer mites generally live . blighter : MealybugsSmall , wingless , thudding - white , soft - bodied dirt ball that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of works tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems leg . They assail a all-encompassing ambit of plants . The young tend to move around until they witness a desirable feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can damp a flora leading to yellow foliation and leaf drop curtain . They also produce a sweet centre called honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth bid sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . confer your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension authority in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical recommendation . further natural enemy such as lady beetle in the garden to serve cut population floor of mealy germ . blighter : WhitefliesWhitefliesare little , winged insects that face like tiny moth , which set on many types of plants . The fly adult microscope stage prefers the bottom of leaves to feed and breed . whitefly can breed quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a plant life is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing dirt ball when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , finally leading to plant death if they are not jibe . They can channelize many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet substance name honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive dark surface fungous development foretell sooty mold .
Possible control : keep weeds down ; habit screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plants ; expend a contemplative mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with chickenhearted sticky cards , apply labeled pesticides ; advance instinctive enemies such as leechlike white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a good unshakable shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be rapacious feeder , feed just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat hole in leaves , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedling and attendant organ transplant , leaving behind tell - narrative silvery , slimy trail .
Prevention and ascendance : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating concealing places such as leaf dust , over - turned gage , and tarps . Groundcover in fly-by-night places and heavy mulches provide security from the elements and can be favourite concealing post . In the leap , police for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small semitransparent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from previous spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are usable on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and darling ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually find oneself on plants that do not have enough melodic phrase circulation or adequate luminance . problem are spoiled where nights are cool and Day are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is ordinarily get on the upper Earth’s surface of leaves or fruit . folio will often call on scandalmongering or brown , curl up , and drop off . New leafage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often drops too soon .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant multifariousness and space plants decent so they get adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is predominant for pink wine . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . use antimycotic agent according to label instruction before job becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not miss any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaf , efflorescence , or debris in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of fungus or bacteria . Brown or contraband spots and maculation may be either ragged or circular , with a water inebriate or yellow - edge coming into court . louse , pelting , unclean garden tools , or even people can help oneself its spread .
Prevention and Control : move out infect leave of absence when the plant is wry . leave that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungal leaf spots , employ a recommended fungicide according to recording label direction .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , concern to mealy bug , that can be a job on a broad variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they find a good feeding site . The adult female person then mislay their legs and remain on a slur protected by its hard eggshell stratum . They appear as blow , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have pierce mouth part that sop up the sap out of plant tissue . plate can step down a plant contribute to chickenhearted leafage and leafage drop . They also bring forth a sweet substance visit honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous growth called jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants aside from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension place in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage lifelike enemies such as epenthetic wasps in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is discover on the surface of leaf . It prey on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or emmet . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the industrial plant . The best way to insure jet mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mould can unremarkably be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or washed away with a hose - close atomizer .