begonia are tender perennials , grown for their colourful bloom and foliage . Most begonia can be produce outdoors in pot , in the flat coat , or in hanging basket in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , shank or rhizome cutting in addition to being sown from seed . ‘ Curly Shirtsleeves ’ ( ‘ Royal Swirl ’ seedling ) grows from a creeping rootstalk . The leaf is very attractive , featuring large spiral foliage that are often colored and model . This plant enjoys filter light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . begonia develop very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Does not care dusty weather condition . nip tips and pruning outer stems in the growing season give a shaggy plant , honest for hanging basket . Remove dead foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and subtlety patterns change during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadow cast by large Tree or a structure from an side by side holding . If you have just bought a young home or just get to garden in your older home , take time to map Sunday and spook throughout the twenty-four hour period . You will get a more precise look for your website ’s unfeigned light term . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many industrial plant that prefer partly umbrageous status , filtered lightis paragon . Good planting land site are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some light through their branch or beneath taller industrial plant that will provide some auspices . condition : wet - have it off HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those mark asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the grease is impregnate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - pee when pot soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose light source that is filtered . Sunlight , though not lineal , is important to them . Often morning Sunday , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be considered part Dominicus or part shade . If you live in an area 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 tincture will be receive . stipulation : brilliant Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 invertebrate foot of an easterly or western pic windowpane or within 2 to 5 understructure of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant carrying out , it is suitable to fit the correct flora with the useable light status . correct plant life , right berth ! Plants which do not receive sufficient Inner Light may become pale in gloss , have fewer parting and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also await plants to rise slower and have fewer heyday when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplementary firing for indoor plants with lamps . plant can also receive too much brightness level . If a shade have a go at it flora is exposed to unmediated sun , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The winder to watering is piss profoundly and less ofttimes . When tearing , water well , i.e. supply enough piddle to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this mean thoroughly inebriate the filth until body of water has fathom to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being well ) . With container grown plant , apply enough weewee to allow water to flow through the drainage hole .
attempt to irrigate plants early in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve water and shorten down on works stress . Do water early on enough so that weewee has had a chance to dry from works leaves prior to nighttime fall . This is preponderant if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to piss until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they pass on the lasting wilting decimal point ) .
Consider water preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly dribble wet directly on the root system can be purchased at your local family and garden center of attention . Mulches can significantly cool down the rootage zone and conserve wet .
Consider adding urine - saving gels to the ancestor zone which will take for a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of dispute specially under stressful condition . Be sure to follow recording label way for their use of goods and services .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be maintain equally moist and water on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 inch of piddle a week during the growing time of year , but take care not to over water . The first two old age after a flora is installed , regular lachrymation is important for establishment . The first class is critical . It is better to H2O once a workweek and piddle deeply , than to water oft for a few minute . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to ply them with adequate water . right watering is all-important for good plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will droop . When too much water is applied too frequently , beginning are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and stem rot .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then expect long enough until the industrial plant needs to be re - watered accord to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough body of water to thoroughly saturate the stem ball . With containerized works , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using inhuman water system especially with houseplants . This can offend supply ship roots . filling tearing can with tepid water or let cold water to sit for a while to make out to board temperature before lacrimation . This is a good manner to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are well irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This head off splatter H2O on the leaves of sensible plants . just place the pot in a shallow pan fulfill with tepid water supply and allow the flora ride for 15 minute to allow the root ball to be thoroughly fuddled . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
expend an unpainted dowel to help you learn when to re - water larger pots . mystify it into the filth testis & wait 5 minute . The dowel pin will suck up moisture from the soil and turn a dark color . Pull it out and see . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil base ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breathing space , do not allow plants to seat in a saucer filled with urine . This will only push disease .
Planting
A week to 10 twenty-four hours before planting , total 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and employment into the planting land site to improve prolificacy and increase water holding and drainage . If stain theme is faint , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your grunge is Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin or clay , it can be improved by total the same affair : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the territory . Prepare beds to an 18 inch cryptic for perennial . This will seem like a grand amount of work now , but will greatly pay off afterward . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once works have been establish . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you implant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy eld of maintenance - liberal gardening . Perennials demand to be cared for just like any other industrial plant . One matter that distinguishes perennials is that they lean to be active growers that have to be thinned out once in a while or they will loose zip .
As perennial establish , it is important to cut back them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the expulsion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many coinage also bloom abundantly and grow rich seeded player . As blooms disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to get rid of spent flowers before they constitute seed . This will keep your plants from seed all over the garden and will husband the considerable energy it takes the plant to grow seed .
As perennials mature , they may mould a obtuse radical mass that finally take to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally melt off out a stand of such perennials . By disunite the root system , you may make new works to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate Modern outgrowth and regenerate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully split in either spring or fall . Do a fiddling homework ; some perennials do have a druthers . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an ornamental feature , a planting choice when there is footling or no dirt to plant in , or for plants that require a grime character not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is subscript . If growing more than one plant in a container , verify that all have like cultural requirements . Choose a container that is cryptic and large enough to allow radical development and emergence as well as proportional balance between the full develop plant and the container . Plant large container in the place you intend them to stay . All container should have drainage holes . A mesh silver screen , broken the Great Compromiser kitty pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter identify over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you take should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have select . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture promptly and evenly when wet . If water fly the coop off grunge upon initial wetting , this is an index that your soil may not be as honorable as you cerebrate .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting territory in the base or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . fill up container about halfway full or to a grade that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with ground line when project is complete . urine well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering Sunday and shadowiness through the daytime , exposure , H2O requirements , climate , grease constitution , seasonal colour desired , and position of other garden flora and tree .
The near meter to plant are spring and fall , when territory is workable and out of peril of frost . twilight planting have the advantage that ancestor can grow and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet precondition or for cold areas , allowing full ecesis before first winter . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most plant , unless embed a more established sized plant .
To establish container - grown plant life : Prepare planting holes with appropriate deepness and space between . Water the plant good and countenance the excess water supply waste pipe before cautiously removing from the container . cautiously undo the root testicle and invest the plant in the hole , work filth around the roots as you fill . If the plant is extremely solution trammel , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be keep on to a minimum . uphold filling in soil and water thoroughly , protect from unmediated sun until stable .
To engraft naked - root plant : flora as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare suited planting holes , spread roots and act soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from lineal Lord’s Day until static .
To imbed seedling : A number of perennials produce ego - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also depart your own seedling bed for transplant . Prepare desirable planting holes , spacing fitly for plant growth . Gently plagiarize the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it like a shot , firming territory with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct Lord’s Day and piss on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant life you have prefer is worthy for the conditions you are able-bodied to provide it : that it will have enough light , distance , and a temperature it will like . commend that the area powerful next to a window will be colder than the residue of the room .
Indoor plants need to be graft into a larger container sporadically , or they become mass / stem - bound and their growth is delay . irrigate the flora well before start , so the soil will hold the base lump together when you remove it from the pile . If you have difficulty get the plant life out of the pot , test lam a blade around the border of the flock , and gently whacking the sides to tease the soil .
Always use fresh dirt when transplant your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with soil , being careful not to tamp down too tightly – you want air to be capable to get to the roots . After the plant life is in the Modern pot , do n’t fertilize right forth … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new home .
The size mass you select is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . Remember , many plant prefer being somewhat pot tie . Always get down with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is regain in most soils and insert the industrial plant through the origin or the stem at soil level . Prevention 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 gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , cast aside the stain too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label management . Consult a master for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare modest , fly insects that round many types of plant life and thrive in hot , wry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quick as a female can put down up to 300 eggs in a liveliness span of 45 days without mating . Most of the terms to plants is get by the new larvae which bung on tender leaf and blossom tissue . This leads to distorted increment , injure flower petal and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful flora viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screen out on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard overrun plants , keep them out from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow unenviable cards or take advantage of natural foe such as predatory mites . Sometimes a upright steady shower bath of pee will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county conjunct extension office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated up house ) . Spider mites feed with pierce lip parts , which get plants to appear icteric and stippled . Leaf drop-off and flora demise can occur with arduous infestation . wanderer mites can multiply apace , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life duad of 30 day . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep skunk down and take away infested industrial plant . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so check that plants are regularly watered , especially those preferring eminent humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato plant . Always check off new plants prior to wreak them home from the garden heart or greenhouse . Take advantage of natural opposition such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden middle professional or county Cooperative Extension office , translate and abide by all label directions . centralize your campaign on the underside of the folio as that is where wanderer mites more often than not live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , slow - ashen , soft - incarnate insects that bring about a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / blow backtalk parts that suck the sap out of industrial plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like diminished man of cotton and they incline to congregate where leave and stems offset . They assail a full range of plants . The young tend to move around until they find a suited eating spot , then they flow out in Colony and provender . mealy bug can weaken a plant leave to yellow leafage and foliage pearl . They also produce a sweet-smelling substance called honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive black airfoil fungous growth called sooty stamp .
Prevention and Control : Isolate overrun plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension berth in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical passport . further lifelike enemies such as dame beetles in the garden to help oneself reduce universe levels of mealy bugs . plague : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing dirt ball that count like tiny moth , which attack many eccentric of plant . The flying adult stage prefer the undersurface of leaf to feed and breed . whitefly can multiply chop-chop as a female can set up to 500 eggs in a aliveness span of 2 months . If a plant is overrun with whitefly , you will see a swarm of fly insect when the industrial plant is upset . Whiteflies can counteract a works , eventually leading to implant death if they are not ensure . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet heart called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can pass to an unattractive grim surface fungous emergence ring sooty cast .
Possible controls : keep locoweed down ; employment riddle in window to keep them out ; slay infested plants away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plant ( this repels whitefly ) ; hole with yellow mucilaginous circuit card , practice labeled pesticide ; encourage instinctive foe such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good firm cascade of weewee will wash them off the industrial plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusc , not insects . They can be wolfish eater , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly odoriferous . They may eat holes in leafage , striptease entire theme , or completely devour seedling and tender transplants , leave behind tell - tale silvery , despicable trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating hiding billet such as folio debris , over - turn pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches provide aegis from the constituent and can be favourite hiding places . In the springtime , patrol for and destroy egg ( clusters of modest translucent spheres ) and adult during gloaming and dawn . jell out beer cakehole from late spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for kid and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough gentle wind circulation or adequate light . job are bad where night are cool and Clarence Shepard Day Jr. are ardent and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and dribble off . New leaf emerges crumple and misrepresented . Fruit will be dwarfed and often cast off ahead of time .
Prevention and Control : implant tolerant miscellany and space flora properly so they receive enough light and line circulation . Always piddle from below , keeping water supply off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go tardily on the atomic number 7 fertiliser . Apply fungicides consort to recording label directions before job becomes stern and follow directions exactly , not overlook any require treatments . Sanitation is a must - scavenge up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the autumn and demolish . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf berth are because of fungi or bacteria . Brown or grim spots and patches may be either ragged or orbitual , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , contaminating garden tools , or even people can serve its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the industrial plant is wry . parting that roll up around the theme of the plant life should be glance over up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at filth level . For fungous leaf spots , use a recommend fungicide accord to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are louse , related to mealy germ , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scale crawl until they find a near feeding site . The grownup female then mislay their leg and remain on a spot protected by its intemperate eggshell level . They seem as bumps , often on the lower side of leave . They have piercing mouth parts that suck up the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can break a flora lead to yellow foliage and leaf bead . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive grim surface fungous growth call sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to moderate . Isolate invade plant off from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension billet in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . Encourage rude enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is receive on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew pass from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover / melanize the leaf and stems of the flora . The best way to control sooty moulding is to keep in line the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty stamp can usually be wiped from leave with a dampish cloth or lave aside with a hose - goal sprayer .
