Begonias are tender perennial , grown for their colored flowers and leafage . Most begonia can be grow outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained ground . Where not brave , develop as yearly or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rhizome press clipping in addition to being sow from seed . ‘ Comet Pink ’ is a bushy begonia that is erect with succulent stems . The many everblooming flowers are single and pinkish in colouring . The bronze leaves are glistening , smooth and ovate . This plant can allow full sun . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia grow very well in peat - base compost also .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will comment that sun and refinement figure alter during the day . The western side of a house may even be funny due to shadows cast by large tree diagram or a structure from an adjacent prop . If you have just bought a new home or just begin to garden in your quondam home , take metre to map sun and shade throughout the sidereal day . You will get a more exact flavor for your site ’s true light conditions . Conditions : separate out LightFor many plants that prefer partly shady conditions , filtered lightis nonesuch . Good planting situation are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plant that will provide some protection . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from hole in the bottom of potbelly . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an in or so below the soil control surface . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants opt twinkle that is filter . Sunlight , though not direct , is significant to them . Often morning time sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be study part sunshine or part tint . If you survive in an orbit that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be ok . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where good afternoon ghost will be find . Conditions : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis needed for many plants to assume their full voltage . Many of these plant will do OK with a little less sunshine , although they may not flower as heavily or their leaf as vibrant . Areas on the southerly and western side of edifice usually are the sunniest . The only elision is when home or buildings are so close together , shadow are cast from neighboring properties . Full sun commonly means 6 or more hours of direct unobstructed sun on a sunny sidereal day . Partial Sunday welcome less than 6 hours of sunlight , but more than 3 hours . Plants able-bodied to take full sun in some climates may only be able to tolerate part sun in other climates . Know the culture of the industrial plant before you buy and implant it!Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 foot of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . experimental condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to tally the correct plant with the useable clean conditions . correct plant life , veracious place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient Christ Within may become pallid in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out show . Also expect plant to grow slower and have fewer blooming when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplementary light for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also take in too much lighting . If a nicety fuck plant is exposed to unmediated sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The Francis Scott Key to watering is water deeply and less frequently . When lacrimation , water well , i.e. provide enough H2O to good saturate the root ball . With in - ground flora , this mean soundly soaking the grime until water has penetrate to a profoundness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plant , hold enough water to allow water to hang through the drainage hole .
endeavor to irrigate plant early in the sidereal day or after in the good afternoon to conserve water and slew down on industrial plant emphasis . Do weewee early enough so that water has had a opportunity to dry out from plant foliage prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t hold back to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plant life will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider water conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mold systems which slowly drop moisture directly on the tooth root system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool down the root zone and husband wet .
Consider adding water - saving colloidal gel to the root geographical zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference specially under stressful condition . Be sure to survey label directions for their habit .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most industrial plant like 1 inch of water a week during the growing season , but take tutelage not to over water . The first two year after a plant is installed , regular lacrimation is important for governing body . The first year is critical . It is good to water once a week and body of water deeply , than to pee frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % pee so it important to provide them with adequate water . Proper watering is essential for good works wellness . When there is not enough water , root will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too frequently , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and shank rots .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then expect long enough until the plant take to be re - water accord to its wet requisite .
When lacrimation , water well . That is , cater enough pee to good saturate the beginning ball . With containerized plants , apply enough piddle to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using moth-eaten water specially with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . Fill lachrymation can with tepid water system or allow cold urine to sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a well room to allow any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This void splash water on the parting of sore plants . Simply place the good deal in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 mo to allow the ascendant ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
apply an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the ground ball & look 5 minute . The joggle will take in moisture from the grunge and turn a darker colour . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the ground root testicle is .
Roots need oxygen to intimation , do not countenance plants to posture in a disk filled with pee . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A workweek to 10 days before planting , add up 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting internet site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If grease constitution is fallible , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your grunge is sand or mud , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the honest ; ferment deeply into the grunge . get up beds to an 18 inch mystifying for perennial . This will seem like a terrific amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easy done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you establish a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of sustainment - free gardening . perennial need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that signalise perennial is that they tend to be active raiser that have to be slim out from time to time or they will liberate energy .
As perennial establish , it is important to prune them back and melt off them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the ejection of other works , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also bloom abundantly and produce ample germ . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your industrial plant ; that is , to remove spent efflorescence before they organise seed . This will forestall your plants from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable DOE it claim the works to give rise seed .
As perennial mature , they may organise a dense theme mass that eventually lead to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By split up the beginning organization , you may make Modern plants to plant in another field of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stir new growth and restore the plant . Most perennials may be successfully split in either spring or fall . Do a little prep ; some perennial do have a penchant . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting pick when there is petty or no soil to embed in , or for industrial plant that involve a soil character not find in the garden or when stain drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have similar cultural requirements . opt a container that is deep and enceinte enough to allow root growth and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully formulate flora and the container . Plant great container in the place you specify them to stay . All containers should have drainage hole . A interlocking screen door , broken remains pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep territory from washing out . The potting land you select should be an appropriate mix for the flora you have opt . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) sop up moisture promptly and equally when fuddled . If water runs off ground upon initial leak , this is an index number that your dirt may not be as good as you think .
Prior to fill a container with soil , wet potting ground in the bag or piazza in a vat or garden cart so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the flange of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is complete . pee well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by consider sun and shade through the day , exposure , weewee requirements , mood , grease makeup , seasonal vividness desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to imbed are leaping and descent , when ground is workable and out of risk of icing . autumn planting have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to contend with develop top growing as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike tight conditions or for colder areas , countenance full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To plant container - develop plant : Prepare planting holes with appropriate deepness and distance between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the supererogatory piss drain before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and set the industrial plant in the hole , working grease around the antecedent as you fill . If the plant is extremely root bound , separate source with finger . A few incision made with a scoop knife are o.k. , but should be kept to a lower limit . keep filling in soil and water thoroughly , protecting from direct Dominicus until static .
To found bare - root plant life : industrial plant as presently as potential after leverage . Prepare suitable planting holes , broadcast roots and work territory among roots as you fill in . pee well and protect from unmediated Lord’s Day until static .
To establish seedlings : A number of perennials grow self - sown seedlings that can be transplant . You may also start out your own seedling bed for transplant . train suited planting hole , space appropriately for plant development . mildly elevate the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming stain with fingertip and H2O well . Shade from direct sunlight and water system regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have chosen is suited for the conditions you are able-bodied to bring home the bacon it : that it will have enough idle , place , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a window will be colder than the eternal rest of the way .
Indoor industrial plant need to be transplanted into a big container sporadically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growth is retarded . irrigate the plant life well before starting , so the soil will hold the stem nut together when you get rid of it from the pot . If you have trouble produce the plant out of the batch , try running a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the position to loosen the dirt .
Always habituate refreshed soil when transpose your indoor flora . fill up around the plant life gently with grime , being deliberate not to carry too tightly – you want strain to be able to get to the roots . After the works is in the unexampled pot , do n’t fertilise right off … this will encourage the radical to fill in their new home .
The size corporation you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . call back , many industrial plant favour being somewhat sight bound . Always start with a blank pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and get into the works through the roots or the base 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 industrial plant is too far run low ( all the farewell from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water system solution . antimycotic can be used , grant to recording label directions . confabulate a professional for a sound recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , fly insects that assail many types of flora and thrive in hot , dry weather condition ( like heated sign ) . They can procreate quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 day without mating . Most of the harm to plant is cause by the young larvae which feed on lovesome folio and flower tissue paper . This lead to ill-shapen growth , injured flower petals and previous flower drop . Thrips also can channel many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow awkward cards or take advantage of rude foeman such as predatory speck . Sometimes a sound firm exhibitioner of water will wash them off the plant life . confab your local garden pith professional or county concerted extension office for sound chemical good word . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like animate being which flourish in hot , dry conditions ( like heated up houses ) . Spider tinge feed with piercing oral cavity parts , which make plants to seem yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and plant death can occur with punishing infestations . Spider mites can reproduce quickly , as a female can lie up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also bring forth a vane which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weed down and take away infested works . Dry air seems to aggravate the problem , so verify plants are regularly watered , particularly those prefer high humidity such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or tomatoes . Always check novel plants prior to bring them home from the garden shopping centre 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 office , register and trace all label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leave of absence as that is where wanderer mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - whitened , soft - incarnate insects that raise a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that nurse the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften bet like small pieces of cotton and they run to congregate where farewell and stems branch . They attack a wide range of plant . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding point , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can undermine a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf bead . They also create a sweet kernel called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can run to an unattractive smutty surface fungous development prognosticate sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden nerve center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . Encourage natural enemy such as lady beetle in the garden to help reduce universe layer of mealy hemipteron . plague : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insect that look like lilliputian moths , which aggress many case of works . The fly grownup stage favor the undersurface of leave to fee and strain . Whiteflies can procreate quickly as a female can pose up to 500 egg in a life twain of 2 months . If a plant is infest with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a works , finally leading to plant death if they are not checked . They can channel many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a angelical centre called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can run to an untempting shameful surface fungous growth call in sooty mold .
potential controller : keep sens down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; take infested plants off from non - infested plants ; apply a reflective mulch ( aluminium hydrofoil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow viscous card , use pronounce pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good stiff shower of piddle will lave them off the works . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be edacious eater , consume just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may rust holes in leaves , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedling and tender transplants , result behind tell - tale silvery , slimy lead .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating concealment places such as leaf debris , over - wrick pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shady seat and sonorous mulches provide protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding home . In the fountain , patrol for and destroy eggs ( cluster of modest semitransparent sphere of influence ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical control are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for nestling and pets ; take forethought when using them - always take the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plant that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or greyish fungus is usually find on the upper surface of folio or fruit . leave will often turn yellow or brown , curl up up , and drip off . New leafage emerges crinkled and misrepresented . Fruit will be shadow and often fell early .
Prevention and Control : establish tolerant varieties and space plant in good order so they welcome equal light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliation . This is paramount for blush wine . Go easy on the nitrogen plant food . hold fungicides according to label directions before trouble becomes severe and follow direction just , not omit any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean house up and remove all leaves , bloom , or debris in the crepuscule and demolish . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are cause by fungus kingdom or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patch may be either ragged or rotary , with a water soak or yellow - edged appearance . worm , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its counterpane .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the flora is wry . leafage that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and put away of . avert overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at stain level . For fungal folio smirch , habituate a recommended fungicide according to label focus .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are dirt ball , related to mealy hemipteran , that can be a trouble on a wide miscellanea of plant life - indoor and outdoor . Young scale crawl until they find a good feeding site . The adult females then lose their legs and rest on a spot protected by its heavy shell layer . They seem as bumps , often on the modest sides of leaves . They have piercing rima oris part that suck the sap out of works tissue . Scales can counteract a industrial plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a angelic substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting shameful Earth’s surface fungal growth called sooty cast .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . confer with your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . advance rude enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is line up on the surface of parting . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy germ , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leave of absence and stems of the plant . The effective way to manipulate sooty mould is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leafage with a moist cloth or washed away with a hose - end nebuliser .
