Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colored bloom and foliage . Most begonia can be acquire out of doors in potty , in the ground , or in cling baskets in dribble light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not unfearing , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagate from folio , stem or rhizome cutting in addition to being sow from semen . ( Plant width : leaves 3 to 6 inch ) The cultivar , ‘ Lowe ’s Favorite , ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring medium - sized non - spiral leaves that are often colourise and patterned . The flowers are pinkish and bloom in summer . This plant enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias grow very well in peat - base compost also . Likes humidness . Hardy . Does not like cold weather . snarf tips and pruning kayoed stems in the grow season give a bushier flora , good for hang baskets . Remove drained foliage to prevent disease .
Google Plant Images : clack here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns transfer during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadows range by large trees or a social organisation from an adjacent belongings . If you have just bought a new home or just begin to garden in your sr. abode , take time to represent sun and shade throughout the mean solar day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true light atmospheric condition . condition : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partly shady conditions , filtered lightis paragon . just planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that lets some illumination through their branches or beneath taller plant life that will supply some trade protection . consideration : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require plenteous piss , or those pronounce asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water good until the grease is saturate and then drains freely from hole in the bottom of plenty . Re - piddle when potting soil becomes wry to the touch an inch or so below the soil airfoil . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is sink in . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be consider part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun picture may be o.k. . In other area such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly picture window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant carrying into action , it is worthy to match the correct plant with the available light conditions . Right plant , right stead ! Plants which do not meet sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leaf and a " leggy " stretch - out coming into court . Also expect plant to grow slower and have few bloom when light is less than suitable . It is potential to provide auxiliary lighting for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also receive too much sparkle . If a shade make out plant is exposed to direct sunshine , it may wilt and/or cause leave to be sunburn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is piss deep and less frequently . When watering , urine well , i.e. provide enough water to exhaustively impregnate the stem nut . With in - solid ground plant life , this mean exhaustively rob the grime until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being ripe ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage kettle of fish .
attempt to water plants betimes in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant tenseness . Do water early enough so that water has had a opportunity to dry out from plant leaves prior to night crepuscule . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until industrial plant droop . Although some plant will recover from this , all plant will pass away if they wilt too much ( when they reach out the permanent wilting point ) .
see water system conservation method acting such as drip mould irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . trickle systems which slowly drop moisture directly on the root system can be buy at your local base and garden shopping centre . Mulches can importantly cool the root zone and conserve moisture .
Consider adding water - saving gels to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water for the works . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to watch over label directions for their use .
status : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be keep evenly moist and water regularly , as condition want . Most plants like 1 inch of body of water a week during the spring up time of year , but take maintenance not to over water . The first two year after a industrial plant is installed , unconstipated watering is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a week and water system profoundly , than to water ofttimes for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with fair to middling water system . Proper lachrymation is substantive for good plant wellness . When there is not enough weewee , roots will wither and the plant will droop . When too much water is applied too frequently , root are deprive of oxygen and disease occur such as root and radical buncombe .
The key to lacrimation is frequency . water system well then hold back long enough until the plant life need to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plant , apply enough water to allow water to fall through the drain jam .
Avoid using cold water specially with houseplant . This can shock tender etymon . Fill watering can with tepid water system or allow cold water system to sit for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a sound way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply identify the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid piddle and let the flora sit for 15 minutes to allow the root formal to be soundly wet . Take out and permit sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to aid you determine when to re - water large Mary Jane . mystify it into the dirt ball & wait 5 minute . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and twist a drear color . overstretch it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root glob is .
base need O to breathing space , do not allow plant to sit in a saucer fill with water . This will only advertize disease .
Planting
A calendar week to 10 days before planting , contribute 2 to 4 inches of senior manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water memory and drainage . If stain paper is weak , a stratum of surface soil should be turn over as well . No matter if your soil is Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin or clay , it can be improved by adding the same affair : constituent affair . The more , the in force ; work late into the soil . Prepare bed to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a terrific amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will delight years of upkeep - free gardening . Perennials need to be give care for just like any other plant . One affair that tell perennials is that they be given to be active growers that have to be thinned out on occasion or they will loose vim .
As perennials establish , it is crucial to prune them back and thin them out at times . This will preclude them from altogether take over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase line circulation thereby concentrate the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower extravagantly and produce rich seed . As blooms disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove pass flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plant from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant life to produce seminal fluid .
As perennials get on , they may form a dumb solution mass that eventually result to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to now and then slenderize out a outdoor stage of such perennial . By dividing the root system , you may make new plant to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will perk up new outgrowth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully part in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : ready ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an ornamental feature film , a planting option when there is little or no soil to found in , or for plants that ask a soil character not found in the garden or when dirt drainage in the garden is deficient . If arise more than one flora in a container , check that that all have standardized ethnic requirements . Choose a container that is deep and enceinte enough to give up root development and ontogeny as well as proportional balance between the full acquire plant and the container . implant declamatory container in the place you think them to rest . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , burst corpse pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper chocolate filter place over the hole will keep grunge from washing out . The potting stain you take should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have choose . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) assimilate moisture readily and equally when wet . If weewee incline off soil upon initial wetting , this is an index that your stain may not be as good as you imagine .
Prior to filling a container with ground , wet pot ground in the bag or place in a bath or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . sate container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the flange of the great deal . Rootballs should be level with territory line when labor is thoroughgoing . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , exposure , water system requirements , clime , soil makeup , seasonal color hope , and position of other garden plant life and trees .
The best times to plant are spring and fall , when filth is workable and out of peril of frost . Fall plantings have the advantage that root can develop and not have to contend with grow top growth as in the bound . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for colder region , allowing full organization before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To establish container - turn plants : organize planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the flora thoroughly and let the excess water drain before carefully removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and place the plant in the hole , working ground around the tooth root as you fill . If the plant is extremely stem bound , separate roots with digit . A few slit made with a pocket tongue are o.k. , but should be keep to a lower limit . Continue fulfil in soil and water good , protect from lineal sun until stable .
To implant mere - root plant : industrial plant as presently as possible after leverage . groom desirable planting holes , distribute roots and bring soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from verbatim sun until unchanging .
To plant seedling : A numeral of perennial produce self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also pop out your own seedling bottom for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting holes , spacing befittingly for plant growing . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm soil with fingertips and urine well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the condition you are able to put up it : that it will have enough low-cal , outer space , and a temperature it will like . call up that the area right next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become tummy / root word - bound and their growth is retard . Water the plant well before begin , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have difficulty getting the plant life out of the pot , essay running a blade around the sharpness of the pot , and softly whacking the sides to loosen the stain .
Always use fresh ground when transplanting your indoor plant . meet around the works gently with dirt , being deliberate not to pack too tightly – you want air to be capable to get to the roots . After the flora is in the new pot , do n’t fertilise right away … this will advance the roots to satisfy in their new rest home .
The sizing pot you pick out is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch large in diameter . commend , many plants prefer being somewhat pot bind . Always get going with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enter the plant through the roots or the stem at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , minify lachrymation . If a plant is too far go ( all the leaves from the bottom up are droop ) , remove it . If your plant life is in a container , toss out the dirt too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 character water solution . Fungicides can be used , accord to recording label directions . confer with a professional for a sound testimonial of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that lash out many character of plants and thrive in hot , wry condition ( like heated houses ) . They can manifold quickly as a female can lie up to 300 egg in a life span of 45 daytime without mating . Most of the impairment to plant is because of the vernal larvae which feed on tippy leaf and peak tissue paper . This leads to twisted growth , injured flower petal and premature flush drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and utilize screen on windows to keep them out . transfer or discard invade plant , keep them by from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow-bellied sticky cards or take advantage of raw enemies such as predatory mite . Sometimes a good firm exhibitor of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative telephone extension office for effectual chemical recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare modest , 8 legged , spider - corresponding creatures which boom in hot , ironic consideration ( like het houses ) . Spider soupcon tip with thrust mouthpiece parts , which induce plant to come along yellow and stippled . Leaf driblet and plant life death can occur with heavy infestations . wanderer mite can multiply speedily , as a female can place up to 200 egg in a animation twain of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested industrial plant . Dry atmosphere seems to exacerbate the problem , so verify plants are regularly water , specially those choose mellow humidity such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or tomatoes . Always condition Modern plants prior to add them home from the garden center or greenhouse . Take advantage of natural foeman such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative Extension office , record and follow all label direction . reduce your movement on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites more often than not live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - snowy , soft - bodied dirt ball that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of flora tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small composition of cotton and they tend to congregate where parting and stem ramification . They attack a wide range of plants . The young tend to move around until they find a desirable feeding pip , then they pay heed out in colony and provender . Mealybugs can de-escalate a flora leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a cherubic means called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can head to an untempting black surface fungous maturation called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest 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 testimonial . Encourage natural enemies such as dame beetles in the garden to help reduce population point of mealy germ . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare little , winged insects that depend like midget moths , which assail many types of plants . The flying grownup leg prefers the underside of leafage to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply speedily as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 calendar month . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is disturbed . whitefly can sabotage a plant , eventually leading to plant death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also create a honeyed inwardness call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting bootleg control surface fungal growth called coal-black modeling .
Possible control condition : keep sess down ; usage screen in windows to keep them out ; off infest plants off from non - infested works ; use a musing mulch ( aluminum hydrofoil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; sand trap with yellow gluey cards , apply pronounce pesticides ; encourage instinctive foe such as parasitic WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist clime and are mollusks , not insects . They can be rapacious feeders , exhaust just about anything that is not woody or extremely sweet-scented . They may eat holes in farewell , striptease full stalk , or completely devour seedlings and bid organ transplant , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimed trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as blank as potential , eliminating hiding places such as leaf rubble , over - turned stool , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shadowed places and heavy mulch supply protection from the elements and can be favorite concealment places . In the spring , patrol for and destruct eggs ( bunch of small semitransparent domain ) and adults during dusk and dawn . coiffe out beer trap from later spring through fall .
Many chemical ascendancy are useable on the grocery , but can be poisonous and deadly for youngster and pets ; take fear when using them - always interpret the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis unremarkably incur on plants that do not have enough aura circulation or equal light . Problems are forged where Night are nerveless and days are strong and humid . The powdery clean or gray fungus is usually find on the upper surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often turn yellow or browned , curl up , and drop off . unexampled leafage emerges scrunch and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drop ahead of time .
Prevention and Control : constitute resistant varieties and space plants properly so they receive adequate twinkle and air circulation . Always piddle from below , keeping piss off the leafage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicides concord to recording label directions before problem becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not missing any expect treatments . Sanitation is a must - houseclean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and destruct . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are cause by fungi or bacterium . brownish or disastrous office and while may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . louse , rainwater , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant life is ironical . leave that collect around the substructure of the industrial plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be mastermind at soil level . For fungal leaf spots , practice a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are worm , relate to mealy bug , that can be a trouble on a wide variety of plant - indoor and out-of-door . Young scales front crawl until they find a salutary eating site . The grownup females then miss their legs and remain on a spotlight protected by its hard shell layer . They seem as gibbosity , often on the lower sides of parting . They have pierce mouth region that suck the sap out of works tissue paper . scale can soften a plant leading to yellowish foliage and leafage drop cloth . They also produce a sweet-scented means called honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can precede to an untempting black aerofoil fungous growth called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are laborious to ensure . Isolate infested plants aside from those that are not invade . Consult your local garden essence professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual passport regarding their controller . promote instinctive foe such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feed on honeydew melon pass from aphids , mealy bug , ordered series , or emmet . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leaves and stem of the plant . The good elbow room to control sooty mold is to ascertain the worm that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can commonly be wiped from leafage with a damp cloth or washed aside with a hose - end spray .
