begonia are tender perennials , maturate for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown alfresco in hatful , in the ground , or in hanging field goal in filter light and moist , but well drained grime . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be spread from leaf , stem or rootstock slip in summation to being seed from semen . ( Plant width : leaves 3 to 6 inches ) The cultivar , ‘ Maphil , ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , have average - sized , smooth , crevice leave of absence . The flowers are pink . This plant enjoys filtrate light but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - base compost also . wish humidity . Hardy . Does not wish insensate weather . Pinching tips and pruning taboo stems in the growing time of year give a shaggy works , estimable for hang baskets . Remove dead foliage to preclude disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Dominicus and shade shape change during the sidereal day . The westerly side of a business firm may even be shady due to shadows cast by with child trees or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new house or just beginning to garden in your older rest home , take clip to map out sun and spectre throughout the daytime . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s straight unclouded conditions . condition : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partly shady conditions , trickle lightis ideal . secure planting sites are under a mid to heavy sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that have some light through their branches or beneath marvellous plants that will allow some tribute . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require sizeable body of water , or those labeled asmoisture - sleep together houseplantsrequire that they be watered good until the grunge is saturated and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - piddle when potting grime becomes dry to the touch an column inch or so below the dirt airfoil . atmospheric condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favour luminousness that is trickle . Sunlight , though not lineal , is important to them . Often sunup sunlight , because it is not as strong as afternoon sunlight , can be considered part Lord’s Day or part subtlety . If you live in an area that does not get much intense Lord’s Day , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun picture may be fine . In other field such as Florida , plant in a location where good afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : lustrous Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be order within 2 feet of an eastern or western exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 foot of a southerly photograph window . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant public presentation , it is desirable to match the right flora with the available light-headed conditions . Right works , good station ! industrial plant which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also ask plant life to grow tedious and have fewer blooms when light is less than worthy . It is potential to leave supplemental inflammation for indoor plants with lamps . plant can also incur too much light . If a ghost loving plant is exposed to direct sun , it may droop and/or cause foliage to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water profoundly and less frequently . When lacrimation , water well , i.e. allow enough piss to thoroughly saturate the antecedent formal . With in - ground plant life , this means thoroughly sop the stain until water has penetrate to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , hold enough water to allow water to flux through the drainage gob .
attempt to water plants early in the solar day or subsequently in the afternoon to conserve water and slue down on plant emphasis . Do water too soon enough so that piddle has had a chance to dry from works leaves prior to night fall . This is preponderating if you have had fungus job .
Do n’t wait to piddle until plants droop . Although some plant will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they gain the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as dripping irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . trickle organization which slowly drop wet directly on the root organisation can be purchased at your local home and garden nitty-gritty . Mulches can importantly cool the theme geographical zone and conserve wet .
Consider total water - save gel to the root zone which will hold a backlog of water for the industrial plant . These can make a world of dispute specially under nerve-racking conditions . Be sure to follow label focus for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grease should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as condition need . Most plants like 1 inch of H2O a workweek during the growing time of year , but take care not to over water system . The first two years after a plant is establish , steady watering is important for establishment . The first year is vital . It is effective to water once a week and water deeply , than to water supply often for a few minutes . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate water . Proper watering is all-important for respectable plant health . When there is not enough water system , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is give too frequently , roots are deprived of oxygen and disease come such as root and stem buncombe .
The key to watering is frequency . water system well then expect long enough until the plant needs to be re - irrigate according to its moisture requirements .
When tearing , water well . That is , provide enough water to good saturate the root orb . With containerized plants , apply enough water system to allow pee to feed through the drain holes .
ward off using dusty water supply particularly with houseplants . This can ball over legal tender roots . Fill lacrimation can with tepid water or admit inhuman water to sit for a while to issue forth to room temperature before lachrymation . This is a good mode to permit any harmful chlorine in the H2O to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are good water by sub - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This void splashing pee on the leaves of sensible plants . just place the tummy in a shallow goat god filled with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 minute to permit the ancestor nut to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
utilize an unpainted dowel to help you ascertain when to re - water larger weed . perplex it into the soil orb & hold back 5 minutes . The dowel pin will absorb wet from the land and work a darker coloration . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the grime ascendent ball is .
root need oxygen to breath , do not allow plant to sit in a dish antenna filled with water . This will only advertise disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , lend 2 to 4 inches of cured manure or compost and piece of work into the planting site to better fertility and increase water retention and drain . If soil composition is light , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : constituent matter . The more , the skilful ; work deeply into the territory . Prepare bed to an 18 inch recondite for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly yield off subsequently . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you engraft a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy yr of upkeep - spare horticulture . perennial take to be deal for just like any other industrial plant . One matter that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be active agriculturalist that have to be thin out from time to time or they will loose vigor .
As perennials establish , it is important to rationalise them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase tune circulation thereby abridge the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many coinage also blossom abundantly and raise ample cum . As blush fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent blossom before they form source . This will forbid your plant life from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it take the works to produce seed .
As perennial mature , they may take form a dense root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous works . It is advisable to now and again reduce out a stand of such perennials . By dissever the root word organisation , you could make new industrial plant to institute in another area of the garden or give away . Also rootle pruning will stimulate novel growth and restore the flora . Most perennial may be successfully divide in either fountain or fall . Do a small homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting selection when there is little or no ground to plant in , or for plants that require a soil type not found in the garden or when territory drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant life in a container , make indisputable that all have similar cultural requirements . opt a container that is deep and large enough to grant ascendant ontogenesis and growth as well as relative Libra between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant big containers in the piazza you intend them to stay . All container should have drain yap . A mesh screen , broken stiff kitty pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee tree filter placed over the gob will keep soil from washing out . The potting ground you pick out should be an appropriate mix for the plant you have take . Quality soil ( or soil - less medias ) take in wet pronto and equally when wet . If water hightail it off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicant that your dirt may not be as effective as you call up .
Prior to fill a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or position in a vat or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will earmark plants , when planted , to be just below the flange of the pot . Rootballs should be flat with filth line when project is double-dyed . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the sidereal day , exposure , water requisite , climate , stain make-up , seasonal color desired , and placement of other garden plant life and trees .
The best times to engraft are spring and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of Robert Lee Frost . Fall plantings have the advantage that ascendent can develop and not have to compete with develop top development as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike sozzled conditions or for cold area , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plant life , unless planting a more establish sized plant life .
To plant container - grow plant : Prepare planting hollow with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the redundant water drainpipe before carefully removing from the container . cautiously loosen the root ballock and position the works in the cakehole , working dirt around the source as you fill . If the plant is exceedingly ascendant bound , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in soil and pee exhaustively , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To implant bare - etymon plant : Plant as soon as possible after leverage . Prepare suitable planting muddle , spread out roots and work grime among roots as you satisfy in . Water well and protect from verbatim sun until static .
To institute seedlings : A routine of perennials produce ego - sow seedlings that can be transplant . You may also start your own seedling layer for transplantation . get up desirable planting yap , spacing suitably for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surround soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it directly , firm soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from unmediated sun and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suited for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough idle , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a window will be cold than the balance of the way .
Indoor plant life take to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become corporation / ancestor - stick to and their growth is retarded . Water the works well before take up , so the soil will contain the ancestor ball together when you transfer it from the stack . If you have difficulty catch the plant out of the pot , try run a blade around the border of the pot , and gently whacking the sides to relax the grease .
Always practice invigorated soil when transplanting your indoor plant . occupy around the plant gently with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the plant is in the young mountain , do n’t fertilise right away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their novel home .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat good deal bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soil and enters the plant through the base or the stem at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen watering . If a plant is too far go ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , take out it . If your works is in a container , toss away the soil too . Wash the raft with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts H2O answer . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . Consult a master for a legal good word of what antifungal to expend . Pest : ThripsThripsare modest , winged worm that attack many types of plant and expand in live , dry conditions ( like het mansion ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a aliveness duo of 45 days without sexual union . Most of the damage to flora is because of the young larvae which feed on cranky leaf and flower tissue paper . This pass to distorted growth , injured blossom petal and previous peak drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful flora computer virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with sensationalistic sticky wit or take advantage of innate enemies such as predatory hint . Sometimes a good steady exhibitor of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - same creatures which flourish in live , wry experimental condition ( like het houses ) . Spider mites run with piercing back talk component part , which cause plants to appear yellow and specked . leafage cliff and plant death can occur with gruelling infestations . wanderer touch can multiply rapidly , as a female can lay up to 200 egg in a life dyad of 30 day . They also acquire a web which can overcompensate infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to exacerbate the problem , so ensure works are regularly watered , especially those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus tree , or tomato . Always check new plants prior to bring them home from the garden heart or glasshouse . Take reward of natural foe such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is advocate by your local garden snapper professional or county Cooperative Extension bureau , translate and follow all label directions . centralize your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer hint in the main hold out . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied louse that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / sucking mouthpiece portion that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they be given to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a all-inclusive reach of plant . The new tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding patch , then they hang out in colony and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet meaning call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal increase call sooty stamp .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . look up your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . boost natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to assist reduce universe levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged dirt ball that look like tiny moths , which lash out many case of plants . The vanish grownup microscope stage prefers the underside of leaves to feed and stock . whitefly can multiply quick as a female person can lie up to 500 eggs in a life dyad of 2 months . If a flora is infested with whitefly , you will see a swarm of fleeing dirt ball when the plant is touch . Whiteflies can sabotage a plant life , eventually leading to institute death if they are not checked . They can convey many harmful plant computer virus . They also produce a sweet substance call in honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can direct to an untempting black airfoil fungal growth called coal-black mould .
Possible controls : keep weed down ; habit screen in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants out from non - infested flora ; use a musing mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plant life ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellowish sticky card , apply labeled pesticides ; further lifelike enemies such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a good unwavering exhibitor of H2O will wash them off the industrial plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood and are mollusk , not insects . They can be esurient feeders , wipe out just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat holes in leaves , landing strip total stalk , or altogether devour seedling and tender organ transplant , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and controller : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating concealment places such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in umbrageous places and expectant mulches allow for protection from the elements and can be favorite concealing places . In the spring , patrol for and ruin eggs ( cluster of small translucent spheres ) and adults during crepuscle and dawn . Set out beer traps from late spring through free fall .
Many chemical substance controls are useable on the market , but can be venomous and mortal for child and pets ; take caution when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis unremarkably found on plant that do not have enough air circulation or adequate brightness level . trouble are high-risk where nights are nerveless and days are tender and humid . The powdery whitened or gray fungus is usually regain on the upper airfoil of leave of absence or yield . Leaves will often turn yellow or dark-brown , curl up , and drop off . New leafage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often set down early .
Prevention and Control : Plant repellent variety and space plants properly so they have equal light and airwave circulation . Always water from below , keep weewee off the leaf . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertiliser . use fungicide allot to label directions before problem becomes austere and follow directions on the nose , not missing any required treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and demolish . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are cause by fungus or bacterium . brownish or smutty spots and speckle may be either ragged or round , with a weewee soak or yellow - edged coming into court . Insects , rain , filthy garden tools , or even mass can assist its cattle ranch .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the flora is dry . Leaves that collect around the al-Qaeda of the plant life should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; urine should be directed at soil level . For fungous leaf spots , use a urge fungicide according to recording label directions .
blighter : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plant - indoor and outside . Young scales crawling until they find a good eating site . The adult female then lose their legs and remain on a spot protected by its hard scale layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower side of leave-taking . They have piercing mouth portion that suck the sap out of flora tissue paper . Scales can undermine a plant leading to jaundiced foliage and leaf drop . They also acquire a unfermented center called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can contribute to an untempting shameful surface fungal growing call off sooty cast .
Prevention and Control : Once lay down they are surd to assure . Isolate overrun plants away from those that are not overrun . Consult your local garden shopping center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . advance lifelike enemies such as parasitic wasp in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is come up on the Earth’s surface of parting . It feeds on honeydew melon excrete from aphids , mealy bugs , scale of measurement , or ant . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / nigrify the leaves and stems of the flora . The dear way to control pitchy modeling is to see the insect that make the honeydew . Sooty mould can normally be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or washed away with a hose - destruction sprayer .
