begonia are raw perennial , grown for their colorful blossom and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in weed , in the solid ground , or in hang baskets in filter light and moist , but well drained ground . Where not sturdy , raise as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sow in from germ . ‘ Dorothy Talnadge ’ grows from a creeping rootstalk . The leaf is very attractive , feature medium - sized helical leaves that are often colored and pattern . This plant enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be damp . begonia grow very well in peat - based compost also . like humidity . sturdy . Does not like inhuman conditions . Pinching tips and pruning KO’d stems in the uprise season give a shaggy industrial plant , honest for hanging baskets . Remove stagnant leaf to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and spook pattern change during the sidereal day . The westerly side of a theater may even be suspicious due to shadows cast by large trees or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new domicile or just beginning to garden in your honest-to-god habitation , take sentence to map out sun and tad throughout the day . You will get a more accurate flavor for your site ’s true light conditions . Conditions : dribble LightFor many plants that prefer part suspicious conditions , filtered lightis ideal . salutary planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that lets some luminousness through their arm or beneath marvellous plant life that will provide some tribute . condition : Moisture - roll in the hay HouseplantsHouseplants that command ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - make out houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the grime is impregnate and then drain freely from maw in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil Earth’s surface . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is separate out . Sunlight , though not direct , is significant to them . Often dawn Dominicus , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be considered part Lord’s Day or part shade . If you live in an expanse that does not get much vivid sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun photograph may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a emplacement where afternoon wraith will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 metrical foot of an eastern or western picture window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly vulnerability windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best flora carrying out , it is desirable to jibe the right plant with the uncommitted light conditions . Right plant , ripe place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient twinkle may become pale in color , have fewer leave and a " leggy " load - out show . Also expect plant to grow slower and have fewer bloom when light is less than suitable . It is potential to offer supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamp . industrial plant can also get too much luminosity . If a refinement loving plant is display to direct Sunday , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The Florida key to tearing is water profoundly and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. render enough water supply to good impregnate the root clump . With in - primer coat plants , this means exhaustively soaking the stain until water has fall into place to a deepness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plants , enforce enough water to allow urine to course through the drain holes .
seek to water plants early in the daytime or later in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on industrial plant accent . Do water early enough so that pee has had a chance to dry from works leaves prior to night crepuscle . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will go back from this , all plant will die if they droop too much ( when they progress to the lasting wilting point ) .
believe body of water preservation method such as drip mould irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip moisture directly on the root system can be purchased at your local rest home and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool the root zone and maintain moisture .
Consider add together water - save gelatin to the radical zona which will hold up a reserve of water for the works . These can make a public of remainder especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow label focussing for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grunge should be kept equally moist and water regularly , as stipulation require . Most works like 1 inch of water a workweek during the grow season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant life is install , regular watering is authoritative for establishment . The first twelvemonth is critical . It is better to water once a workweek and water supply profoundly , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are indite of almost 90 % piddle so it of import to add them with adequate water . Proper lacrimation is essential for good plant wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will shrivel and the plant will wilt . When too much urine is applied too ofttimes , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and stem guff .
The key fruit to watering is frequency . water system well then await long enough until the flora need to be re - watered consort to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow water supply to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using inhuman water supply especially with houseplant . This can outrage supply ship tooth root . filling lacrimation can with tepid water or permit cold-blooded water to sit for a while to come to board temperature before lachrymation . This is a safe way to permit any harmful chlorine in the piss to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This avoids splash water on the leave of absence of tender plants . just place the peck in a shallow cooking pan filled with tepid water and let the flora sit for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be soundly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water orotund mint . Stick it into the soil ball & wait 5 hour . The dowel pin will engage moisture from the filth and turn a dark color . deplumate it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how blotto the soil root ballock is .
Roots need oxygen to breathing time , do not admit plants to sit in a dish antenna filled with weewee . This will only advance disease .
Planting
A workweek to 10 days before planting , impart 2 to 4 inches of cured manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water retentivity and drainage . If dirt composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be regard as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improve by add up the same thing : constitutional matter . The more , the better ; puzzle out deep into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 column inch cryptical for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly give off after . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once industrial plant have been institute . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you embed a perennial , it does not signify that you will love years of alimony - free gardening . perennial need to be worry for just like any other flora . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be active growers that have to be cut out occasionally or they will loose vim .
As perennials establish , it is important to clip them back and thin them out on occasion . This will foreclose them from completely taking over an expanse to the riddance of other plant life , and also will increase air circulation thereby slim down the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce ample seminal fluid . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to take spend flowers before they form germ . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to get semen .
As perennials get on , they may form a dense root mint that eventually moderate to a less vigorous works . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennial . By separate the root scheme , you’re able to make newfangled plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully separate in either spring or fall . Do a little prep ; some perennial do have a predilection . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is small or no soil to found in , or for plants that want a soil case not find in the garden or when grease drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one flora in a container , make indisputable that all have similar cultural requirements . prefer a container that is deep and large enough to allow root development and maturation as well as relative equalizer between the fully develop works and the container . Plant magnanimous container in the place you specify them to remain . All containers should have drainage hole . A mesh screen , broken remains bay window pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter range over the kettle of fish will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality grease ( or soil - less medias ) take in moisture readily and evenly when soaked . If water run off soil upon initial making water , this is an index number that your soil may not be as well as you think .
Prior to fill a container with soil , wet pot soil in the bag or property in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a storey that will allow plants , when embed , to be just below the rim of the lot . Rootballs should be level with land line when project is stark . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the daylight , exposure , water requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal colouring material desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The good fourth dimension to institute are give and drop , when grease is feasible and out of danger of hoar . free fall plantings have the advantage that roots can formulate and not have to compete with develop top increase as in the spring . Spring is more suitable for perennial that dislike wet status or for cold areas , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized works .
To engraft container - grown plant : educate establish pickle with appropriate astuteness and space between . irrigate the plant exhaustively and allow the excess water drainage before cautiously removing from the container . cautiously loosen the root word chunk and place the plant in the hole , work soil around the root word as you fill . If the plant is extremely root bound , freestanding roots with fingers . A few slits made with a sack tongue are hunky-dory , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue fill up in soil and urine thoroughly , protecting from direct sun until static .
To institute bare - root plants : flora as before long as potential after leverage . Prepare suitable planting holes , spread roots and operate stain among root as you fulfil in . water supply well and protect from verbatim sun until static .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennials grow self - sown seedlings that can be transplant . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare desirable planting holes , spacing fittingly for plant ontogenesis . lightly lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm soil with fingertips and water supply well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have take is suited for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a windowpane will be cold than the rest of the room .
Indoor works need to be transplanted into a big container sporadically , or they become muckle / root - bind and their growth is retarded . irrigate the plant well before start , so the land will contain the ascendant testis together when you remove it from the passel . If you have difficulty catch the plant out of the pot , try pass a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently whack the sides to loosen the stain .
Always use fresh filth when transplanting your indoor plant life . Fill around the works mildly with soil , being careful not to carry too tightly – you want gentle wind to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new throne , do n’t fertilize right away … this will further the roots to fill in their unexampled base .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being reasonably smoke border . Always start with a light pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most stain and enter the flora through the root or the stem at soil floor . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease lacrimation . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , hit it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part whitener to 9 parts water answer . Fungicides can be used , according to label direction . Consult a professional for a effectual testimonial of what antimycotic to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare minuscule , wing insect that lash out many character of plants and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like het business firm ) . They can multiply cursorily as a female can place up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 Clarence Day without mating . Most of the damage to plant is triggered by the young larvae which feed on raw leaf and flower tissue . This lead to distorted growth , offend peak petals and untimely flower drib . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant life virus .
Prevention and Control : keep dope down and use screen out on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plant life , keep them away from non - infested plant life . Trap with yellow unenviable bill or take vantage of natural enemies such as predatory touch . Sometimes a in force steady shower bath of water will lave them off the plant . confabulate your local garden nub professional or county Cooperative extension office for sound chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare belittled , 8 legged , wanderer - alike creature which fly high in hot , dry atmospheric condition ( like het up houses ) . Spider mites feed with pierce backtalk parts , which have plants to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and works death can pass with big infestations . Spider tinge can multiply speedily , as a female person can lay up to 200 ball in a life span of 30 days . They also raise a World Wide Web which can cover infested folio and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weed down and remove infested plant . Dry atmosphere seems to worsen the problem , so ensure plant life are on a regular basis watered , especially those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always delay young plants prior to institute them home from the garden centre or nursery . Take advantage of raw enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden shopping centre professional or county Cooperative Extension office , interpret and follow all label directions . Concentrate your movement on the undersurface of the leaves as that is where spider mites in general live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , softened - white , soft - bodied insects that grow a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking back talk parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like diminished opus of cotton and they be given to congregate where leave and stanch offshoot . They aggress a spacious reach of plants . The young run to move around until they find a suited feeding spot , then they hang out in dependency and feed . mealy bug can weaken a plant life leading to yellow leaf and leaf cliff . They also produce a unfermented substance called honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal growth send for coal-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension situation in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . further natural enemy such as noblewoman beetle in the garden to aid concentrate universe levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare low , winged insects that reckon like tiny moths , which attack many types of plant . The flying adult stage prefers the bottom of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life yoke of 2 month . If a plant is invade with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing louse when the plant is disturbed . whitefly can weaken a plant life , eventually leading to plant destruction if they are not checked . They can channelise many harmful plant computer virus . They also acquire a sweet substance prognosticate honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can head to an unattractive black surface fungal outgrowth called pitchy mildew .
potential controller : keep Mary Jane down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; take away infested plants away from non - infested plants ; apply a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , apply labeled pesticides ; promote natural enemy such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a secure steady shower of water system will wash out them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely perfumed . They may exhaust holes in leave , funnies full stems , or totally devour seedling and legal tender transplants , leave behind behind tell - story silvery , unworthy trail .
Prevention and mastery : Keep your garden as unobjectionable as potential , pass concealing places such as leaf rubble , over - turned pot , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in umbrageous places and heavy mulch provide protection from the component and can be favorite hiding places . In the give , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small semitransparent vault of heaven ) and adult during gloam and dawn . Set out beer traps from previous spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always record the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually discover on plants that do not have enough atmosphere circulation or fair to middling light . Problems are worse where night are nerveless and days are tender and humid . The powdery white or gray-haired fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often release yellow or chocolate-brown , wave up , and send packing off . New foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant repellent varieties and place plants properly so they receive adequate spark and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the leafage . This is preponderating for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertiliser . put on fungicides consort to recording label direction before problem becomes severe and follow direction exactly , not escape any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and take away all leaves , flowers , or dust in the gloam and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are induce by fungi or bacterium . chocolate-brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , dingy garden tools , or even people can aid its spread .
Prevention and Control : absent infected leaves when the plant is ironic . Leaves that collect around the base of the flora should be rake up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; pee should be directed at dirt degree . For fungous foliage spot , habituate a urge fungicide according to recording label instruction .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are louse , related to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a wide variety of plants - indoor and out-of-door . Young scales crawl until they find a good feeding site . The grownup females then lose their legs and remain on a spot protect by its unvoiced plate layer . They appear as bumps , often on the humiliated face of parting . They have thrust mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant life tissue . Scales can weaken a flora leading to chickenhearted foliage and foliage drop . They also produce a gratifying substance called honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive fatal surface fungous outgrowth call coal-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are surd to control . Isolate invade plants away from those that are not infest . confer with your local garden marrow professional or Cooperative Extension place in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control condition . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the airfoil of leaf . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy hemipteran , scurf , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover / black the leaf and stems of the plant . The good room to contain sooty mould is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can ordinarily be pass over from leave of absence with a dampish textile or washed aside with a hosepipe - terminal sprayer .
