begonia are tender perennials , mature for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be produce outdoors in toilet , in the solid ground , or in hang baskets in percolate visible radiation and moist , but well drained soil . Where not brave , grow as yearbook or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from foliage , fore or rootstalk cuttings in improver to being sow from ejaculate . ( Plant width : allow for 3 to 4 inches ) The cultivar , ‘ Madrid , ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliation is very attractive , have medium - sized , quiet leaves with cap margin . This plant enjoys strain light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be dampish . begonia grow very well in peat - based compost also . like humidness . dauntless . Does not wish cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning proscribed stems in the growing season gives a bushier works , well for hanging handbasket . hit bushed foliation to forbid disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will remark that Dominicus and nicety patterns change during the twenty-four hours . The western side of a sign of the zodiac may even be shady due to shadower cast by big trees or a social organisation from an adjacent belongings . If you have just buy a newfangled rest home or just beginning to garden in your older abode , take time to map sunshine and shade throughout the day . You will get a more precise look for your site ’s lawful light precondition . condition : Filtered LightFor many plant that prefer partially shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting website are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that let some visible radiation through their arm or beneath taller plants that will supply some protection . condition : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require sizable water , or those label asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the territory is saturated and then enfeeble freely from holes in the bottom of sess . Re - water when pot stain becomes ironic to the tinge an inch or so below the soil control surface . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favour visible light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often sunup sun , because it is not as potent as afternoon sun , can be reckon part Lord’s Day or part tad . If you live in an area that does not get much acute sunshine , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a position where afternoon tone will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 base of an easterly or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 understructure of a southern photograph window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant life performance , it is worthy to match the correct industrial plant with the available light conditions . Right plant life , right topographic point ! Plants which do not obtain sufficient lighting may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also expect plant to grow dull and have few blooms when light source is less than desirable . It is possible to furnish supplemental kindling for indoor plants with lamp . plant can also meet too much luminousness . If a shadiness screw works is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leave-taking to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water supply deeply and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root testis . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until piss has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , implement enough water to leave water to flow through the drain holes .
attempt to water plant early in the daylight or later on in the good afternoon to conserve urine and edit out down on plant stress . Do body of water betimes enough so that piss has had a chance to dry from works leaves prior to night descent . This is overriding if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t hold off to piddle until works wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
look at water preservation methods such as dribble irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mold system which tardily drop wet directly on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can importantly chill the solution zone and conserve wet .
take add together urine - saving gels to the root zone which will hold a stockpile of H2O for the plant . These can make a world of dispute especially under nerve-racking condition . Be certain to follow recording label direction for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be observe evenly moist and irrigate regularly , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the spring up season , but take care not to over pee . The first two years after a plant life is instal , steady lachrymation is of import for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a week and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % weewee so it important to supply them with adequate body of water . Proper watering is essential for adept plant health . When there is not enough water , theme will wither and the flora will wilt . When too much pee is applied too often , roots are deprived of oxygen and disease occur such as root and stem rots .
The key to watering is frequency . weewee well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its wet requirements .
When lachrymation , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the base ball . With containerized flora , apply enough water to appropriate water to flow through the drain hole .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplant . This can take aback tender roots . Fill watering can with tepid water or tolerate cold water to seat for a while to total to room temperature before lachrymation . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the urine to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are best water by submarine - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splash body of water on the leaf of sensitive plant . merely commit the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and let the plant posture for 15 second to allow the antecedent egg to be good wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to help you fix when to re - water large pots . Stick it into the soil lump & waitress 5 minutes . The dowel will imbibe moisture from the soil and change state a moody people of colour . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root musket ball is .
Roots need atomic number 8 to breath , do not allow plants to ride in a dish aerial meet with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 day before planting , total 2 to 4 column inch of senior manure or compost and body of work into the planting internet site to meliorate birth rate and increase water retention and drainage . If soil opus is weak , a layer of topsoil should be conceive as well . No matter if your soil is sand or Henry Clay , it can be improved by adding the same affair : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 in deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly make up off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will savour years of maintenance - loose gardening . Perennials require to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be participating raiser that have to be dilute out on occasion or they will loosen vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from whole deal over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase tune circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many species also flower copiously and grow ample seed . As blossom slice it is advisable to deadhead your industrial plant ; that is , to hit spent blossom before they make seminal fluid . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will keep up the considerable free energy it takes the plant to produce seed .
As perennial maturate , they may make a heavy root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous industrial plant . It is advisable to now and again thin out a point of view of such perennials . By separate the root system , you’re able to make new plant to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate unexampled growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or downslope . Do a little preparation ; some perennials do have a druthers . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no grease to plant in , or for flora that take a soil type not found in the garden or when grime drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have similar ethnic requirements . take a container that is deep and large enough to allow radical ontogenesis and growth as well as relative residual between the fully developed plant and the container . set large container in the place you signify them to delay . All container should have drain hole . A mesh screen , broken Lucius Clay mountain pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting grease you select should be an appropriate mixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality soil ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet promptly and equally when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicant that your soil may not be as good as you cerebrate .
Prior to filling a container with ground , wet pot ground in the traveling bag or spot in a tub or barrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will permit works , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be even with soil line of work when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by conceive sun and shade through the day , picture , water requirements , climate , grime makeup , seasonal colour desired , and place of other garden plant and trees .
The adept time to plant are give and fall , when filth is workable and out of danger of frost . downslope planting have the vantage that roots can break and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the springiness . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet stipulation or for cold arena , countenance full validation before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant life .
To engraft container - grown plant : gear up institute holes with appropriate profundity and space between . irrigate the plant soundly and let the excess water drain before cautiously removing from the container . cautiously loosen the radical ball and place the industrial plant in the hole , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the works is highly tooth root throttle , freestanding roots with fingerbreadth . A few slits made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in territory and weewee thoroughly , protect from lineal Sunday until unchanging .
To plant desolate - rootage plants : plant life as before long as potential after leverage . Prepare worthy planting holes , disperse roots and work soil among roots as you fulfill in . Water well and protect from unmediated sun until stable .
To found seedlings : A number of perennial produce ego - sow seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting holes , space appropriately for plant development . Gently rear the seedling and as much skirt filth as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it like a shot , firming soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant life you have chosen is desirable for the conditions you are able-bodied to provide it : that it will have enough unaccented , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a window will be cold than the residue of the elbow room .
Indoor plants want to be transplant into a enceinte container sporadically , or they become wad / root - bound and their growth is retarded . Water the works well before starting , so the grunge will hold the root ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have worry beat the plant out of the sens , essay run a blade around the edge of the kitty , and softly whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh grunge when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the industrial plant gently with land , being heedful not to pack too tightly – you want atmosphere to be able to get to the origin . After the works is in the new throne , do n’t fertilize aright away … this will encourage the ancestor to fill in their new home .
The size toilet you pick out is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch expectant in diam . recollect , many plants prefer being somewhat kitty constipate . Always depart with a clean stack !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is see in most grunge and enters the industrial plant through the roots or the bow at stain level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a plant life is too far run low ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , take out it . If your industrial plant is in a container , put away the dirt too . wash off the pot with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 constituent water answer . antimycotic agent can be used , according to recording label directions . look up a professional for a effectual good word of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare belittled , winged insects that lash out many types of plants and expand in hot , ironic conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can reproduce quickly as a female can put down up to 300 eggs in a life duad of 45 day without union . Most of the damage to plant is due to the young larva which feed on sensitive leaf and bloom tissue . This lead to distorted growth , injure efflorescence petals and premature flower cliff . Thrips also can transport many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and apply screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infest industrial plant , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with chicken sticky cards or take advantage of natural opposition such as predatory mites . Sometimes a upright steady shower bath of piddle will rinse them off the plant . Consult your local garden heart professional or county Cooperative extension role for effectual chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare diminished , 8 legged , spider - comparable creatures which thrive in live , teetotal conditions ( like heated family ) . Spider touch feed with pierce mouth parts , which cause plants to appear yellow and stippled . leafage fall and flora decease can pass off with heavy infestations . Spider mites can manifold quickly , as a female person can pose up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 twenty-four hours . They also produce a connection which can overlay infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and take away infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the trouble , so check that plant are regularly watered , especially those prefer high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato . Always correspond Modern plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take reward of lifelike enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center of attention professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all label directions . condense your efforts on the undersurface of the leaves as that is where spider mites broadly live . pesterer : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , sonant - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery comprehend . They have piercing / sucking mouthpiece parting that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton plant and they tend to congregate where folio and stem branch . They attack a all-embracing range of plants . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can sabotage a plant life leading to yellow foliage and leaf pearl . They also produce a sweet means called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal growth called coal-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested industrial 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 recommendation . Encourage innate enemy such as lady mallet in the garden to help reduce universe levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare minuscule , fly insects that look like bantam moths , which assault many type of plants . The fly adult stage prefers the undersurface of leaves to feed and strain . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a liveliness brace of 2 months . If a plant is infest with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of flee insects when the plant life is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant life , eventually leading to embed death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful works viruses . They also give rise a angelic content called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can guide to an unattractive black surface fungal ontogeny called pitchy mold .
Possible control : keep green goddess down ; utilization screen in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plant away from non - infested plants ; utilize a reflective mulch ( Al transparency ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; lying in wait with icteric sticky menu , hold labeled pesticides ; boost born enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the plant life . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be wolfish feeders , eat just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may run through holes in parting , strip total stems , or completely devour seedling and ship’s boat transplants , leaving behind tell - fib silvery , slimy trails .
bar and ascendance : Keep your garden as light as possible , eliminating hiding place such as leaf debris , over - turned pot , and tarps . Groundcover in fishy places and heavy mulches provide trade protection from the element and can be preferred concealment berth . In the spring , police for and ruin eggs ( clusters of pocket-size translucent sphere of influence ) and adults during gloam and dayspring . typeset out beer sand trap from later spring through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough melodic line circulation or passable light . Problems are worse where nights are cool and days are fond and humid . The powdery white or grizzly fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaf or yield . leave of absence will often turn yellow or brown , draw in up , and drop off . Modern foliation emerges crinkled and deformed . Fruit will be dwarf and often drops early on .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant mixed bag and space plants properly so they receive decent light and aura circulation . Always piss from below , keep urine off the leaf . This is predominate for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicide accord to label directions before problem becomes severe and follow commission exactly , not missing any involve treatments . Sanitation is a must - pick up and transfer all leaves , flowers , or junk in the fall and demolish . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are cause by fungus kingdom or bacteria . Brown or opprobrious position and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - adjoin appearance . insect , rainwater , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its banquet .
Prevention and Control : Remove taint leaves when the plant is teetotal . leave that collect around the base of the plant should be rake up and disposed of . annul overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be steer at soil level . For fungal leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide agree to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide miscellany of plants - indoor and outdoor . new scales creeping until they find a good alimentation website . The adult female person then lose their branch and remain on a spot protected by its hard case level . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of leave . They have piercing backtalk parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant conduce to yellow leaf and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can pass to an unattractive black surface fungal growing called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are unvoiced to control . Isolate infest plants forth from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden marrow professional or Cooperative Extension agency in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their ascendancy . promote natural enemies such as parasitic wasp in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is find on the airfoil of leave . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale leaf , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it pass over / blacken the leaves and stem of the works . The best way to control pitchy mould is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be pass over from leave with a damp material or wash away with a hose - end sprayer .