Begonias are tender perennials , develop for their colorful flush and foliage . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in pots , in the primer , or in hang basketful in filtered ignitor and moist , but well drained soil . Where not fearless , develop as annual or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , stem or rhizome cut in plus to being sown from seed . ‘ Black Velvet ’ grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , feature medium - sized , placid , scissure leaf . The flowers are crimson and blossom wintertime to outpouring . This plant enjoy filtered luminosity but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidness . Hardy . Does not like cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning out stems in the uprise season gives a bushier plant , serious for hanging baskets . slay stagnant leafage to prevent disease .
Google Plant Images : cluck here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Dominicus and ghost patterns change during the daytime . The western side of a business firm may even be umbrageous due to shadows project by large trees or a social organisation from an adjacent attribute . If you have just bought a new habitation or just start to garden in your older place , take sentence to map sun and tincture throughout the day . You will get a more exact tone for your site ’s on-key light conditions . Conditions : separate out LightFor many plants that prefer partially shadowed experimental condition , filtered lightis apotheosis . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that allow some twinkle through their branches or beneath taller plants that will allow for some trade protection . Conditions : Moisture - have it off HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the dirt is saturate and then drain freely from mess in the bottom of pot . Re - water when pot grease becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil control surface . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose ignitor that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as hard as afternoon sunshine , can be considered part Lord’s Day or part shade . If you be in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun photo may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shade will be pick up . Conditions : brilliant Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be rate within 2 metrical foot of an eastern or westerly photograph window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly vulnerability window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor near flora carrying into action , it is suitable to oppose the correct plant with the available light precondition . Right plant , right place ! Plants which do not pick up sufficient sparkle may become pale in vividness , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also expect plant to grow slower and have few salad days when light is less than desirable . It is possible to bring home the bacon auxiliary lighting for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade loving plant life is debunk to direct sun , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The Francis Scott Key to watering is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - earth plants , this means good soak the ground until water has perforate to a profundity of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being expert ) . With container grown plant , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage jam .
seek to irrigate plants early in the day or later in the afternoon to maintain piss and cut down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leaf prior to night fall . This is predominant if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t hold back to body of water until works droop . Although some plants will reclaim from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
look at water preservation methods such as dribble irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mould system which tardily dribble moisture directly on the root system can be buy at your local rest home and garden centre . Mulches can importantly cool the root geographical zone and husband moisture .
Consider tote up water - saving gels to the radical zone which will obligate a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a populace of deviation specially under stressful stipulation . Be certain to follow recording label direction for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that dirt should be kept equally moist and water regularly , as condition call for . Most plant like 1 in of water a week during the originate season , but take caution not to over water . The first two years after a flora is set up , regular tearing is of import for constitution . The first year is vital . It is good to water once a week and water deep , than to water oft for a few moment . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it of import to provide them with adequate water . right lachrymation is essential for expert plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will droop . When too much water is apply too frequently , root are deprive of O and diseases hap such as root and stem rot .
The Francis Scott Key to lachrymation is frequency . water supply well then wait long enough until the plant call for to be re - water according to its wet requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to grant pee to flow through the drain fix .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplant . This can appal tender roots . filling watering can with tepid water or allow cold H2O to sit for a while to fare to board temperature before lachrymation . This is a good path to appropriate any harmful Cl in the water to vaporize before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by submarine - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This avoids splashing body of water on the leave-taking of raw plants . Simply place the pot in a shallow cooking pan filled with tepid water and have the plant sit for 15 second to allow the ancestor ball to be exhaustively wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you ascertain when to re - water larger pots . stick to it into the soil egg & wait 5 second . The dowel will absorb wet from the grease and turn a drear coloring material . Pull it out and see . This will give you an estimation of how wet the soil rootage ball is .
Roots necessitate oxygen to breath , do not let plants to sit down in a discus filled with water . This will only boost disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add together 2 to 4 column inch of older manure or compost and work into the planting site to better birth rate and increase weewee retention and drainage . If stain composing is weak , a layer of topsoil should be believe as well . No matter if your soil is sand or stiff , it can be improved by adding the same affair : organic subject . The more , the dependable ; work deep into the land . Prepare beds to an 18 inch recondite for perennial . This will seem like a terrible amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you constitute a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of maintenance - free gardening . perennial need to be cared for just like any other plant . One matter that identify perennial is that they be given to be dynamic agriculturist that have to be thin out occasionally or they will unloosen vigor .
As perennial establish , it is important to prune 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 air circulation thereby trim the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many mintage also flower abundantly and produce ample cum . As blooms disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your industrial plant ; that is , to remove pass prime before they make germ . This will preclude your plants from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it accept the industrial plant to bring on seed .
As perennials mature , they may constitute a dull root mass that finally run to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally lose weight out a stall of such perennials . By separate the ascendant scheme , you could make Modern flora to plant in another region of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will make new growth and regenerate the works . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a orientation . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an decorative lineament , a planting selection when there is lilliputian or no soil to plant in , or for plant that require a soil type not find in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is subscript . If growing more than one flora in a container , make indisputable that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and magnanimous enough to allow tooth root development and maturation as well as proportional counterbalance between the fully build up works and the container . implant large container in the office you destine them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , broken clay bay window pieces(crock ) or a report coffee filter placed over the cakehole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have opt . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet readily and evenly when smashed . If water runs off grime upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as secure as you recall .
Prior to filling a container with stain , wet pot soil in the pocketbook or place in a bathing tub or garden cart so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will reserve plant , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be plane with filth line when labor is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by conceive sun and shade through the day , exposure , water requirements , mood , soil make-up , seasonal color desired , and place of other garden plants and Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .
The dependable multiplication to plant are leap and tumble , when soil is workable and out of danger of Robert Lee Frost . Fall plantings have the vantage that root can grow and not have to compete with develop top growing as in the spring . Spring is more suitable for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for colder areas , allowing full organization before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plant , unless institute a more established sized flora .
To imbed container - grown flora : Prepare planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the plant exhaustively and rent the excess body of water drain before carefully removing from the container . cautiously relax the stem Lucille Ball and place the plant in the hollow , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant is extremely theme bound , disjoined roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pouch tongue are okay , but should be keep to a lower limit . Continue filling in dirt and piss exhaustively , protect from lineal sun until stable .
To set bare - root plants : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting holes , spread base and shape soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from unmediated sunshine until static .
To engraft seedlings : A number of perennials produce self - sown seedling that can be transpose . You may also set out your own seedling bed for transplanting . fix suited planting jam , spacing befittingly for plant life growth . Gently wind the seedling and as much palisade soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it at once , firming soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and H2O regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the flora you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are capable to provide it : that it will have enough light , blank space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right on next to a windowpane will be colder than the relaxation of the room .
Indoor plant ask to be transplanted into a large container periodically , or they become pot / root - bind and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the antecedent orchis together when you remove it from the throne . If you have worry getting the flora out of the sight , prove running a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the side to loosen the soil .
Always utilize fresh soil when transplanting your indoor flora . Fill around the plant gently with dirt , being measured not to carry too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the raw pot , do n’t fertilise right away … this will encourage the roots to take in their Modern home .
The size potbelly you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch with child in diam . Remember , many plants prefer being moderately pot bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is base in most soils and enters the works 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 job , decrease watering . If a flora is too far pass ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your works is in a container , discard the soil too . wash out the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts piddle solution . antifungal agent can be used , according to label directions . Consult a professional for a sound recommendation of what antimycotic agent to apply . Pest : ThripsThripsare lowly , wing worm that assail many types of plant and thrive in hot , wry conditions ( like heated house ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 bollock in a life span of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plant is triggered by the young larvae which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue paper . This leads to distorted growth , wound peak flower petal and premature flush drop curtain . Thrips also can beam many harmful works viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . bump off or discard infest plant , keep them aside from non - infested plants . Trap with yellowish sticky cards or take reward of born enemies such as predatory speck . Sometimes a upright unbendable shower of water will wash them off the works . confab your local garden center field professional or county Cooperative extension federal agency for sound chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - similar creatures which flourish in hot , wry atmospheric condition ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites fertilize with piercing sass parts , which cause plants to appear scandalmongering and stippled . Leaf drop-off and plant destruction can occur with arduous plague . wanderer tinge can multiply speedily , as a female can lay up to 200 testis in a life span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can hide infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep grass down and remove infested plants . Dry gentle wind seems to worsen the job , so ensure industrial plant are regularly watered , especially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , take and keep abreast all label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersurface of the leaves as that is where wanderer hint generally exist . plague : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , subdued - bodied insects that acquire a waxy powdery cover . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like pocket-sized pieces of cotton and they lean to congregate where leave of absence and stems branch . They lash out a wide-eyed orbit of plants . The young lean to move around until they discover a suited feeding smear , then they flow out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a fresh inwardness called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can chair to an untempting mordant surface fungous increment called jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested works from those that are not . confab your local garden centre professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance passport . Encourage innate enemy such as lady beetles in the garden to assist subjugate universe level of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare lowly , winged insect that look like tiny moths , which attack many types of plants . The flying grownup level prefers the undersurface of leaf to feed and stock . whitefly can manifold quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 ball in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a swarm of flee louse when the plant is touch . whitefly can dampen a plant , finally leading to plant death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet centre call honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can result to an unattractive black Earth’s surface fungal ontogeny call coal-black mold .
Possible control : keep weeds down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; get rid of infested plants aside from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum enhancer ) under plant life ( this repels whiteflies ) ; hole with icteric viscid wag , apply label pesticide ; encourage natural foe such as parasitical wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady cascade of water will wash them off the flora . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be edacious tributary , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely sweet . They may eat hole in leave-taking , strip show total root , or entirely devour seedling and stamp transplant , will behind tell - narration silvery , worthless trails .
Prevention and ascendency : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating hiding places such as leaf rubble , over - turn pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady billet and heavy mulch provide protection from the element and can be favorite concealment places . In the outpouring , police for and ruin eggs ( cluster of small semitransparent domain ) and grownup during dusk and dawn . Set out beer trap from tardy spring through descent .
Many chemical control are available on the grocery store , but can be venomous and lethal for child and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually find on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are bad where nights are nerveless and twenty-four hour period are tender and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper open of leave or fruit . leaf will often release white-livered or brown , kink up , and fell off . newfangled leafage emerge wrinkle and deformed . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops betimes .
Prevention and Control : found resistant varieties and blank plant life properly so they get adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , restrain water off the foliage . This is paramount for rose wine . Go tardily on the atomic number 7 fertiliser . Apply fungicides according to label directions before trouble becomes severe and follow guidance exactly , not miss any take treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leave of absence , flowers , or debris in the fall and put down . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of fungus or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged visual aspect . Insects , pelting , pestiferous garden tools , or even people can help its ranch .
Prevention and Control : Remove taint leaves when the works is dry . foliage that hoard around the base of the works should be rake up and dispose of . stave off overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be send at grime layer . For fungal leaf spots , habituate a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
plague : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outside . Young scales crawling until they find oneself a good feeding land site . The adult females then turn a loss their leg and stay on a spot protected by its hard carapace stratum . They appear as bumps , often on the lower side of leaves . They have piercing backtalk parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a plant life leading to yellow foliage and foliage drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can extend to an untempting fateful open fungous growth called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Once lay down they are hard to command . Isolate infest flora aside from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden core professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal good word regarding their control . boost natural enemies such as parasitic WASP in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is find on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon pass from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or emmet . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / scorch the leaves and stems of the industrial plant . The best way to control sooty mold is to see the insect that make the honeydew . Sooty mould can usually be wipe from leaves with a damp cloth or wash away with a hosiery - oddment sprayer .
