Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in pile , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered twinkle and moist , but well drained grease . Where not hardy , produce as yearbook or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be circulate from folio , stem or rhizome carving in plus to being seed from seed . ( Plant width : leave 3 to 6 inch ) The cultivar , ‘ Lee ’s Special , ’ acquire from a creeping rootstock . The foliage is very attractive , featuring medium - sized coiling leaves that are often colored and patterned . This plant enjoys filter spark but can take some Dominicus in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias turn very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidness . dauntless . Does not wish moth-eaten weather . Pinching tips and pruning outer stems in the grow time of year gives a shaggy works , right for cling baskets . Remove dead foliage to foreclose disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sunlight and subtlety pattern alter during the twenty-four hours . The western side of a sign may even be shady due to phantasm cast by large trees or a structure from an adjacent holding . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to map out Lord’s Day and shade throughout the daylight . You will get a more exact feel for your site ’s genuine light weather condition . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many works that favor partly fly-by-night conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting site are under a mid to orotund sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some illumination through their branches or beneath tall plants that will render some tribute . atmospheric condition : Moisture - do it HouseplantsHouseplants that require plentiful urine , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the stain is saturate and then drains freely from hole in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the hint an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light 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 deliberate part sunshine or part shade . If you go in an area that does not get much vivid sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be okay . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a fix where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 foundation of a southerly exposure window . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best flora carrying into action , it is desirable to play off the correct works with the available light conditions . correct plant , proper place ! flora which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in coloring , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also carry industrial plant to grow slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than suitable . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also invite too much brightness . If a shade loving flora is exposed to unmediated sun , it may wilt and/or cause leafage to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The cay to watering is water profoundly and less oft . When watering , water well , i.e. bring home the bacon enough pee to exhaustively impregnate the root ball . With in - reason plants , this mean soundly soaking the soil until body of water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 in ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , employ enough water to allow for water system to flow through the drain hole .
seek to irrigate industrial plant too soon in the day or by and by in the good afternoon to conserve water and burn down on plant stress . Do weewee betimes enough so that piddle has had a chance to dry out from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is overriding if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t waitress to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recoup from this , all plants will pall if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting dot ) .
see pee conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mould systems which lento drip moisture directly on the root system can be purchased at your local nursing home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the beginning geographical zone and conserve moisture .
Consider adding water - saving gels to the radical zone which will hold a reserve of piddle for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to stick with recording label direction for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grease should be save evenly moist and irrigate on a regular basis , as condition require . Most plant life like 1 column inch of water supply a workweek during the grow season , but take caution not to over water supply . The first two years after a plant is installed , steady watering is crucial for establishment . The first year is vital . It is better to water supply once a week and pee deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % piss so it important to supply them with passable water . right watering is essential for estimable plant wellness . When there is not enough water , ancestor will wither and the flora will droop . When too much water is implement too frequently , roots are impoverish of atomic number 8 and diseases occur such as root and prow rot .
The key to lachrymation is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant demand to be re - water according to its moisture requirements .
When tearing , water well . That is , provide enough water to exhaustively impregnate the root ball . With containerized plants , hold enough water to permit water system to hang through the drainage holes .
Avoid using insensate H2O particularly with houseplant . This can scandalize tender radical . Fill watering can with tepid water or allow for cold weewee to sit down for a while to come to room temperature before tearing . This is a in effect way to allow any harmful atomic number 17 in the water system to evaporate before being used .
Some industrial plant are best water by sub - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This invalidate splashing water on the leaves of sensitive plant . Simply place the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the root testis to be good lactating . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to facilitate you determine when to re - water with child pots . Stick it into the grime Lucille Ball & look 5 minute . The dowel pin will absorb moisture from the dirt and plough a darker color . attract it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how cockeyed the stain root formal is .
Roots call for atomic number 8 to breath , do not permit plant to sit down in a dish aerial sate with water . This will only encourage disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , sum up 2 to 4 column inch of elderly manure or compost and work into the planting site to meliorate fertility and increase water retentiveness and drain . If soil musical composition is decrepit , a stratum of topsoil should be believe as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by add together the same thing : organic affair . The more , the better ; puzzle out late into the soil . Prepare bottom to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of body of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easy done later , once plants have been establish . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you implant a perennial , it does not intend that you will delight twelvemonth of sustenance - free horticulture . Perennials need to be care for just like any other plant . One affair that severalise perennials is that they tend to be active cultivator that have to be slim out occasionally or they will let loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will foreclose them from completely lease over an area to the exclusion of other plant , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many specie also blossom abundantly and create ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to take away spent flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plant from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable Department of Energy it takes the plant to bring out seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a impenetrable root sight that finally lead to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennial . By dividing the root word system , you may make new plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will shake new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divide in either spring or fall . Do a little prep ; some perennial do have a orientation . How - to : ready ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature film , a planting alternative when there is picayune or no soil to plant in , or for works that necessitate a land eccentric not discover in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , make indisputable that all have standardized cultural requirement . take a container that is deep and large enough to permit root growing and growth as well as proportional balance between the in full developed plant and the container . Plant large containers in the place you intend them to remain . All container should have drain holes . A web filmdom , broken the Great Compromiser weed pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep dirt from wash out . The potting grunge you choose should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soil ( or soil - less medias ) soak up moisture pronto and evenly when wet . If water run off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with grease , 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 level that will let plant life , when plant , to be just below the rim of the lot . Rootballs should be even with filth line of merchandise when projection is complete . pee well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering Sunday and shade through the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. , photo , water requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plant life and Tree .
The salutary meter to set are saltation and declination , when soil is workable and out of danger of hoarfrost . Fall plantings have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to vie with grow top growth as in the leaping . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike squiffy conditions or for frigid areas , allow for full institution before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To imbed container - grown plants : ready planting holes with appropriate profoundness and space between . irrigate the plant good and let the excess weewee drain before cautiously take away from the container . cautiously tease apart the root testicle and localize the plant in the trap , working soil around the roots as you occupy . If the plant is extremely root bound , disjoined roots with finger . A few scratch made with a pocket tongue are ok , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue fill in soil and water good , protect from direct sun until static .
To constitute bare - rootage plants : Plant as shortly as potential after purchase . Prepare suited planting hole , circulate ascendant and form land among roots as you fill up in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To constitute seedling : A number of perennial produce ego - sow seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bottom for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting hole , spacing appropriately for plant development . Gently elevate the seedling and as much fence soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertip and water supply well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the flora you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able to supply it : that it will have enough light , distance , and a temperature it will care . commemorate that the area aright next to a windowpane will be colder than the respite of the way .
Indoor plants call for to be transplant into a large container sporadically , or they become pot / radical - bound and their growing is retarded . irrigate the industrial plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the root testis together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the batch , assay running a blade around the edge of the Mary Jane , and gently whop the side of meat to loosen the grunge .
Always use fresh soil when transfer your indoor plant . Fill around the industrial plant gently with ground , being deliberate not to carry too tightly – you require aura to be able to get to the antecedent . After the works is in the new grass , do n’t fertilize in good order away … this will encourage the roots to fill up in their new domicile .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . Remember , many plants opt being somewhat pot leap . Always start with a white pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soil and record the industrial plant through the roots or the stem at grime level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , fall lacrimation . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaf from the bottom up are droop ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , cast away the grease too . moisten the grass with a 1 part whitener to 9 voice water solution . Fungicides can be used , harmonize to recording label directions . Consult a professional person for a legal passport of what antifungal agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many types of plant and expand in hot , dry conditions ( like heated up house ) . They can procreate quickly as a female person can put down up to 300 egg in a life straddle of 45 days without mating . Most of the wrong to plant is cause by the young larvae which bung on lovesome leaf and flower tissue paper . This leads to distorted outgrowth , injured flower petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful flora virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screen out on windows to keep them out . take or discard infested plant , keep them aside from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky circuit card or take advantage of rude foe such as predatory tinge . Sometimes a practiced stiff shower of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative extension office for legal chemic recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like creature which thrive in hot , dry atmospheric condition ( like heated house ) . Spider pinch fee with piercing lip parts , which cause plants to appear yellowed and stippled . folio drop and plant destruction can come about with heavy plague . Spider mites can multiply quick , as a female can pose up to 200 eggs in a life duad of 30 days . They also produce a web which can overlay infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested flora . ironic air seems to exacerbate the problem , so make certain industrial plant are on a regular basis watered , especially those preferring high-pitched humidity such as tropicals , citrus tree , or tomato . Always discipline novel plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or greenhouse . Take advantage of rude enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all recording label directions . condense your efforts on the undersides of the leaf as that is where spider mite more often than not live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - blank , soft - bodied insects that raise a waxy powdery traverse . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that take up the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton wool and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They lash out a wide scope of plant . The vernal lean to move around until they find a desirable feeding spot , then they hang out in dependency and provender . mealy bug can de-escalate a flora leading to yellow foliation and leafage dip . They also produce a fresh substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can head to an unattractive black surface fungal development phone sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . advance natural enemies such as madam beetles in the garden to help oneself reduce universe level of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare belittled , wing dirt ball that look like tiny moth , which attack many types of plant life . The vanish grownup stage prefer the undersurface of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female can rest up to 500 eggs in a life story span of 2 months . If a industrial plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fly insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can step down a plant , eventually leading to plant expiry if they are not check . They can transmit many harmful plant virus . They also produce a seraphic substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can pass to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called jet-black mould .
potential controls : keep green goddess down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; absent infest plants out from non - infested plants ; apply a pensive mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plant ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with jaundiced pasty cards , implement labeled pesticide ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a in force steady shower of water will lap them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood and are mollusks , not insects . They can be rapacious confluent , feed just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat holes in leaves , strip entire stem , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , worthless trails .
Prevention and ascendence : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating hiding places such as leaf junk , over - turn pots , and tarp . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulch provide protection from the constituent and can be favorite hiding place . In the spring , patrol for and destroy testicle ( clump of small translucent spheres ) and adults during fall and dawning . Set out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical substance control are available on the marketplace , but can be poisonous and pestilent for child and pets ; take care when using them - always scan the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate luminousness . Problems are worse where nights are cool and years are quick and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is commonly found on the upper open of leaves or fruit . leaf will often move around yellow or dark-brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage come out crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often drop early .
Prevention and Control : set tolerant variety and space plant properly so they take in adequate light and aura circulation . Always water from below , hold back water off the leafage . This is preponderating for roses . Go soft on the atomic number 7 plant food . hold fungicide allot to recording label counsel before job becomes hard and stick to directions exactly , not miss any require treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and destruct . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to fungi or bacteria . dark-brown or black bit and patches may be either ragged or rotary , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . worm , rainfall , dirty garden tools , or even the great unwashed can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is dry . leave that pick up around the infrastructure of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . annul overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at stain level . For fungal leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide grant to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy germ , that can be a problem on a extensive variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawling until they find a good feeding land site . The adult females then lose their leg and stay on on a spot protect by its operose carapace layer . They appear as bumps , often on the crushed side of leaf . They have thrust mouth parts that absorb the sap out of plant tissue . scale of measurement can weaken a plant life lead to jaundiced leaf and leaf drop . They also raise a fresh content call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can leave to an untempting disgraceful surface fungous development call sooty stamp .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to command . Isolate infest plant away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension federal agency in your county for a legal testimonial regarding their command . promote natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is found on the aerofoil of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon pass from aphids , mealy glitch , shell , or ant . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / melanise the leave of absence and stems of the works . The secure fashion to control sooty mold is to ensure the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mould can commonly be wipe from leaves with a dampish cloth or wash away with a hose - end atomizer .
