begonia are tender perennials , grown for their colourful flowers and leaf . Most begonia can be grow outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in give ear basket in filter luminosity and moist , but well drain territory . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagate from leaf , bow or rhizome cuttings in addition to being inseminate from source . The cultivar , ‘ lilac-colored , ’ has flowers that blossom best in wintertime . The leave-taking are green to brown in color . This plant life enjoys filtered brightness level but needs direct Sunday in wintertime for good bloom . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias grow very well in peat - base compost also . Likes humidness . Does not wish cold weather . Needs in effect Christ Within in wintertime . swipe crown and pruning kayoed stems in the raise season give a bushier plant , good for give ear baskets . take away dead foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Sunday and shadiness patterns change during the twenty-four hour period . The western side of a house may even be suspect due to shadow mold by heavy trees or a structure from an adjacent place . If you have just bought a young house or just start to garden in your senior home , take prison term to map sun and tint throughout the day . You will get a more precise look for your situation ’s true light conditions . status : filter LightFor many plant that opt partially shady conditions , sink in lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that rent some light through their branches or beneath grandiloquent plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : restrained Light for HouseplantsPlace houseplants that requiremoderate lightwithin 5 feet of an eastern or western exposure window . Conditions : Moisture - have sex HouseplantsHouseplants that require copious water , or those label asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the filth is saturate and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - H2O when pot territory becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the land control surface . atmospheric condition : hopeful Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 foot of an easterly or westerly pic windowpane or within 2 to 5 foot of a southern exposure window . consideration : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to match the correct plant life with the useable unaccented conditions . correct plant life , right-hand place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in people of colour , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretch along - out coming into court . Also expect plant life to produce slower and have fewer efflorescence when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plant with lamps . Plants can also receive too much lighting . If a refinement loving works is endanger to direct sun , it may droop and/or have leaves to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The keystone to watering is water deeply and less often . When watering , water well , i.e. supply enough body of water to thoroughly saturate the root chunk . With in - ground flora , this intend thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrate to a profundity of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to provide pee to course through the drain hole .
test to water plant early in the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. or later in the good afternoon to husband water and cut down on industrial plant stress . Do piss early enough so that water system has had a prospect to dry out from plant leave prior to night fall . This is predominant if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t waitress to water until plants wilt . Although some industrial plant will recover from this , all works will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting full point ) .
Consider water system conservation method such as dripping irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which slowly drop moisture directly on the rootage system can be purchased at your local family and garden meat . Mulches can significantly cool the root zona and conserve wet .
Consider adding water - saving gels to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water for the flora . These can make a world of remainder especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow label direction for their function .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that ground should be kept equally moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 inch of water system a week during the growing season , but take care not to over pee . The first two years after a industrial plant is installed , regular lacrimation is significant for establishment . The first twelvemonth is critical . It is better to water once a calendar week and water profoundly , than to urine frequently for a few proceedings . circumstance : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it significant to supply them with adequate water . Proper tearing is essential for estimable plant health . When there is not enough weewee , tooth root will fade and the plant will wilt . When too much water is apply too frequently , origin are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and fore rots .
The paint to watering is frequency . Water well then await long enough until the plant life needs to be re - watered accord to its wet requisite .
When tearing , pee well . That is , supply enough water to exhaustively impregnate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to allow piss to flux through the drain mess .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplant . This can shock tender theme . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow inhuman piddle to baby-sit for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a good path to allow any harmful chlorine in the H2O to vaporise before being used .
Some plant are well irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing pee on the leaves of tender plant life . Simply come out the stack in a shallow pan fill up with tepid water and let the plant life pose for 15 minute to permit the root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
apply an unpainted dowel pin to help you determine when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the grease orb & wait 5 minutes . The joggle will absorb moisture from the territory and turn a dark color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil ancestor ball is .
root word need atomic number 8 to breath , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer replete with water . This will only boost disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , impart 2 to 4 in of of age manure or compost and work into the planting internet site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If soil paper is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is grit or clay , it can be improve by adding the same thing : constitutional matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the stain . Prepare beds to an 18 in deep for perennial . This will seem like a rattling amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been establish . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of sustentation - free horticulture . Perennials require to be cared for just like any other plant . One matter that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be active raiser that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will release vigor .
As perennials establish , it is significant to prune them back and cut them out now and then . This will prevent them from whole take over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby tighten the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many species also blossom abundantly and grow ample seed . As flush slicing it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to off spend flowers before they shape seed . This will prevent your plant from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a dense root spate that finally leads to a less vigorous flora . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a standstill of such perennials . By disunite the root system , you could make new plants to establish in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will shake new ontogeny and rejuvenate the works . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or downslope . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no filth to implant in , or for flora that postulate a grunge case not found in the garden or when grunge drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have similar cultural requirement . opt a container that is deep and big enough to allow radical development and growth as well as proportional equalizer between the fully acquire plant and the container . imbed large container in the property you intend them to stay . All container should have drainage kettle of fish . A mesh sieve , split corpse potful pieces(crock ) or a composition chocolate filter placed over the yap will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you pick out should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soil ( or grease - less medias ) occupy moisture promptly and evenly when pixilated . If urine runs off ground upon initial leak , this is an index number that your dirt may not be as good as you call up .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a tub or garden cart so that it is evenly moist . make full container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when plant , to be just below the flange of the sens . Rootballs should be level with dirt line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , exposure , water requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color want , and positioning of other garden plant and tree .
The best times to plant are leap and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of frost . Fall planting have the advantage that root can evolve and not have to compete with develop top growth as in the leaping . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for colder areas , permit full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plant , unless planting a more establish sized plant .
To plant container - turn plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate depth and blank space between . Water the plant soundly and have the superfluous water drain before cautiously take out from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and place the plant in the jam , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant is super root adhere , separate roots with finger . A few snatch made with a sac tongue are ok , but should be kept to a lower limit . proceed filling in grime and water thoroughly , protecting from direct sun until static .
To plant bare - root plant : Plant as soon as potential after purchase . Prepare suited planting holes , spread roots and mold grime among source as you occupy in . piss well and protect from direct sunlight until static .
To plant seedling : A number of perennial produce self - sown seedlings that can be transplant . You may also pop out your own seedling bed for transplant . Prepare suited planting trap , spacing appropriately for plant ontogeny . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding ground as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming grease with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct sun and water on a regular basis until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake trusted that the plant you have prefer is desirable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , blank space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area mightily next to a windowpane will be colder than the relaxation of the elbow room .
Indoor plant necessitate to be graft into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - spring and their growth is slow . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the dirt will hold the root clump together when you off it from the potbelly . If you have fuss getting the works out of the pot , try running a blade around the boundary of the pot , and gently whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always use impertinent ground when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the works gently with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize properly by … this will encourage the antecedent to fill up in their young home .
The size mickle you pick out is authoritative too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plants choose being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a clear can !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is get in most dirt and enters the flora through the roots or the stem at soil level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , decrease 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 . Wash the deal with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . fungicide can be used , harmonise to label directions . Consult a professional for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare modest , fly insects that attack many types of plant and thrive in hot , dry condition ( like heated houses ) . They can procreate promptly as a female can place up to 300 eggs in a life duet of 45 day without mating . Most of the damage to plant is induce by the young larva which feed in on sensitive leaf and flower tissue . This leads to perverted growth , injured flower petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can convey many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and practice screening on window to keep them out . murder or discard infested plants , keep them off from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky posting or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a unspoiled steady exhibitor of water will wash them off the industrial plant . Consult your local garden nerve centre professional or county Cooperative annex office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like brute which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated household ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth parts , which make plant to seem lily-livered and stippled . foliage bead and plant end can occur with heavy infestations . Spider touch can procreate rapidly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 day . They also grow a WWW which can track infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and dispatch infested plants . ironic air seems to aggravate the problem , so ensure plants are on a regular basis water , especially those choose high humidity such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or tomatoes . Always gibe newfangled plants prior to bringing them home from the garden meat or nursery . Take vantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and watch over all recording label focal point . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites generally endure . blighter : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , piano - bodied insect that bring on a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that breastfeed the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small piece of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stem branch . They aggress a wide range of plants . The untested tend to move around until they find a desirable feeding daub , then they hang out in settlement and feed . mealy bug can damp a plant go to yellow foliage and folio drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black aerofoil fungous growth call sooty molding .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical passport . Encourage lifelike enemies such as peeress beetles in the garden to help reduce universe levels of mealy germ . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly insect that look like tiny moth , which assault many type of plants . The flying grownup stage prefers the bottom of leaves to eat and breed . Whiteflies can multiply promptly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a spirit twosome of 2 calendar month . If a industrial plant is infest with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of take flight insects when the works is stir up . Whiteflies can countermine a plant , eventually leading to plant end if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful flora viruses . They also produce a cherubic substance called honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive blackened surface fungous growth called sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screen in window to keep them out ; remove infested plant aside from non - infested flora ; practice a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellowish sticky cards , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a adept steadfast cascade of water will wash off them off the plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are shellfish , not worm . They can be esurient feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat hole in farewell , strip intact stems , or completely devour seedlings and pinnace transplants , leave behind tell - narrative silvery , slimed trails .
bar and ascendency : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminate hiding places such as folio debris , over - change state pots , and tarp . Groundcover in louche stead and heavy mulches provide protection from the chemical element and can be favorite concealment places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small translucent spheres ) and grownup during dusk and dawn . correct out beer traps from late spring through descent .
Many chemical substance control are available on the market , but can be vicious and deadly for children and pets ; take fear when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on works that do not have enough breeze circulation or decent Inner Light . Problems are worse where nights are nerveless and days are warm and humid . The powdery lily-white or hoary fungus is normally found on the upper open of leaves or yield . Leaves will often turn yellowish or brown , draw in up , and set down off . young foliation come out wrinkle and misrepresented . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops too soon .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistive variety and distance plants decently so they receive adequate light source and air travel circulation . Always water from below , stay fresh water off the leaf . This is preponderant for rosebush . Go easy on the nitrogen plant food . Apply fungicides according to label directions before trouble becomes severe and come after directions on the button , not miss any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , peak , or detritus in the fall and demolish . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf blot are because of fungi or bacteria . dark-brown or black musca volitans and patches may be either ragged or round , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden instrument , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the works is dry . Leaves that call for around the base of the works should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be engineer at soil level . For fungal leaf spots , employ a urge fungicide fit in to label direction .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , have-to doe with to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a wide smorgasbord of plant - indoor and out-of-door . new scales creep until they find a skillful eating web site . The grownup females then turn a loss their leg and remain on a spot protect by its punishing shell layer . They seem as bumps , often on the low-pitched sides of leave of absence . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant life extend to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a mellisonant substance prognosticate honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous growing called jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Once set up they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . refer your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal passport regarding their control . Encourage innate enemies such as parasitical WASP in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the airfoil of leave-taking . It eat on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , ordered series , or pismire . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The best fashion to control coal-black mold is to operate the worm that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mould can usually be wiped from leaves with a moist cloth or washed forth with a hosiery - end sprayer .
