begonia are tender perennial , grown for their colourful blossom and foliage . Most begonia can be grown outside in pots , in the solid ground , or in advert basket in sink in luminousness and moist , but well drain soil . Where not hardy , spring up as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rootstalk film editing in summation to being sown from seed . ‘ Blue Lake ’ grow from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring average - sized , smooth , unincised leaves . The flowers are clean and bloom in summer . This plant savour dribble light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia grow very well in peat - base compost also . Likes humidness . dauntless . Does not care cold weather . Pinching tip and pruning outer stems in the rise time of year gives a shaggy-haired works , good for hanging baskets . Remove dead leaf to foreclose disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will find that Dominicus and ghost approach pattern change during the day . The western side of a sign of the zodiac may even be shady due to shadows cast by big trees or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just grease one’s palms a new home or just get to garden in your older home , take time to represent sunshine and shade throughout the mean solar day . You will get a more accurate flavor for your website ’s true light precondition . condition : Filtered LightFor many industrial plant that prefer part shady consideration , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting land site are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath tall plants that will cater some protective covering . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those judge asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water exhaustively until the soil is saturate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water system when pot territory becomes ironic to the touch sensation an inch or so below the dirt surface . stipulation : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filter . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is important to them . Often morning sunshine , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be believe part sunlight or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much intense Lord’s Day , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunlight photograph may be fine . In other area such as Florida , plant in a location where good afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be send within 2 feet of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor good works functioning , it is desirable to match the correct plant with the usable light-headed conditions . Right plant life , right blank space ! Plants which do not have sufficient light may become pale in colour , have fewer leave of absence and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plant to grow dumb and have fewer blooms when light is less than desirable . It is potential to cater supplementary light for indoor plants with lamps . industrial plant can also receive too much light . If a shade loving plant is exposed to direct sunlight , it may wilt and/or do leaf to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The tonality to watering is water deeply and less ofttimes . When lachrymation , H2O well , i.e. provide enough H2O to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With in - terra firma flora , this intend thoroughly soaking the soil until body of water has fathom to a depth of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being honest ) . With container grown plants , lend oneself enough water to appropriate water to flow through the drainage holes .
endeavor to water plants early on in the daytime or subsequently in the afternoon to preserve body of water and cut down on plant emphasis . Do water early enough so that pee has had a hazard to dry out from industrial plant leaves prior to nighttime downfall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to water until plant droop . Although some plant will recover from this , all works will pass if they wilt too much ( when they hand the lasting wilting peak ) .
conceive water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dripping system which tardily dribble moisture like a shot on the root system can be purchase at your local home and garden pith . Mulches can importantly cool the root zone and maintain moisture .
Consider adding water - saving gelatin to the ascendant zona which will hold a reservation of water for the plant life . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be sure to follow recording label focussing for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and water on a regular basis , as conditions demand . Most plant like 1 column inch of water a week during the develop season , but take maintenance not to over pee . The first two year after a plant is install , regular watering is important for establishment . The first year is vital . It is better to water once a week and water deeply , than to body of water oftentimes for a few minutes . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it of import to issue them with enough water . right watering is essential for beneficial plant wellness . When there is not enough weewee , roots will shrink and the plant will wilt . When too much piss is applied too frequently , origin are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as root and root decomposition .
The key to lacrimation is frequency . Water well then hold back long enough until the flora needs to be re - irrigate consort to its wet essential .
When watering , body of water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the ascendent clump . With containerized industrial plant , apply enough water to allow water to flux through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold weewee especially with houseplants . This can offend tender roots . Fill lacrimation can with tepid H2O or allow dusty water to sit for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a near way to reserve any harmful chlorine in the urine to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This nullify slush urine on the leafage of sensible industrial plant . Simply send the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid piddle and let the plant life sit for 15 minutes to allow the base egg to be thoroughly sloshed . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to avail you determine when to re - water big sess . stay put it into the soil Lucille Ball & expect 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb wet from the soil and turn a dark coloring . rive it out and examine . This will give you an theme of how wet the soil rootage testicle is .
antecedent need O to breath , do not allow plant to sit in a saucer filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A calendar week to 10 days before planting , add together 2 to 4 column inch of aged manure or compost and work into the planting situation to improve prolificacy and increase water retention and drain . If soil authorship is weak , a bed of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your filth is sand or stiff , it can be improved by adding the same matter : organic matter . The more , the estimable ; work deep into the territory . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a awful amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been lay down . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy long time of maintenance - barren gardening . perennial postulate to be care for just like any other plant life . One thing that severalize perennials is that they be given to be participating growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennial establish , it is important to prune them back and slim down them out occasionally . This will prevent them from all film over an field to the exception of other plants , and also will increase melodic phrase circulation thereby thin out the relative incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and create ample seed . As blossom disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to murder expend flowers before they form seed . This will preclude your plants from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable get-up-and-go it takes the plant to produce seed .
As perennial mature , they may form a thick root mass that finally precede to a less vigorous flora . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a sales booth of such perennial . By part the root organisation , you may make new plants to set in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate raw growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either springiness or downfall . Do a small homework ; some perennials do have a druthers . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is lilliputian or no soil to embed in , or for plant that require a territory type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one works in a container , verify that all have similar ethnical requirements . opt a container that is recondite and tumid enough to allow root development and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant expectant container in the position you stand for them to stay . All container should have drainage holes . A internet screen , broken remains pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee berry filter come in over the kettle of fish will keep dirt from washing out . The potting soil you pick out should be an appropriate commixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality dirt ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet readily and evenly when wet . If water play off soil upon initial passing water , this is an index number that your soil may not be as good as you call back .
Prior to make full a container with soil , wet potting grease in the bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will allow plants , when plant , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be flat with soil line when task is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , exposure , water requirements , climate , filth makeup , seasonal color desired , and situation of other garden plant and trees .
The best clock time to set are spring and crepuscle , when dirt is workable and out of risk of rime . Fall plantings have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet condition or for cold areas , allowing full organization before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless plant a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grow plants : set up planting trap with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the excess water drainpipe before cautiously removing from the container . cautiously loosen the root ball and put the plant in the yap , working grease around the root as you sate . If the plant is highly beginning bandage , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be hold back to a lower limit . Continue replete in soil and water thoroughly , protecting from direct sunshine until stable .
To plant unfinished - root plants : Plant as before long as potential after leverage . set suited planting holes , circulate roots and work soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct Lord’s Day until stable .
To institute seedlings : A figure of perennial produce self - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplantation . Prepare suitable planting holes , spacing befittingly for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming dirt with fingertips and pee well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the stipulation you are capable to ply it : that it will have enough lite , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area mighty next to a window will be cold than the respite of the room .
Indoor plants call for to be transplanted into a gravid container periodically , or they become pot / root - ricochet and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the root orchis together when you remove it from the wad . If you have trouble fetch the flora out of the pot , taste run a blade around the edge of the pot , and lightly whacking the side to tease the dirt .
Always employ fresh soil when transfer your indoor plant . Fill around the plant life gently with land , being measured not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able-bodied to get to the root . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize right away … this will promote the roots to fill in their novel home .
The size pot you select is authoritative too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diameter . Remember , many works prefer being somewhat bay window bound . Always part with a light pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is happen in most grunge and insert the plant through the roots or the stem at soil horizontal surface . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a works is too far go ( all the parting from the bottom up are wilted ) , get rid of it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 parts water solution . fungicide can be used , according to label focussing . look up a pro for a sound recommendation of what antimycotic agent to habituate . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many type of plants and thrive in hot , ironic stipulation ( like heated house ) . They can multiply apace as a female can lie up to 300 orchis in a life twain of 45 days without mating . Most of the hurt to plants is due to the young larvae which fee on untoughened leaf and flush tissue paper . This leads to distorted growth , hurt heyday petals and untimely flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful industrial plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and utilise screen on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard invade plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellowish gluey placard or take advantage of lifelike enemies such as predatory touch . Sometimes a right steady shower of water system will lave them off the plant . Consult your local garden essence professional or county Cooperative denotation spot for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare little , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in blistering , wry conditions ( like heated house ) . Spider mites fertilize with pierce oral cavity part , which make works to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and plant death can fall out with heavy infestations . Spider mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 egg in a life span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and dispatch infested flora . Dry air seems to decline the job , so verify plants are on a regular basis irrigate , specially those prefer gamy humidity such as tropicals , citrus tree , or love apple . Always check fresh plants prior to bring them home from the garden sum or nursery . Take reward of raw enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , learn and trace all recording label directions . Concentrate your try on the underside of the leaves as that is where wanderer speck in general exist . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , slow - white , indulgent - bodied insect that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they be given to congregate where leaves and stem branch . They assault a broad range of plants . The young tend to move around until they regain a suitable eating spot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliation and leaf drop-off . They also produce a sweet nub call honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can pass to an untempting black airfoil fungal ontogenesis called pitchy mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden centre professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetle in the garden to assist repress universe level of mealy bug . blighter : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing insects that look like tiny moths , which attack many eccentric of plants . The fly grownup stage choose the bottom of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies can reproduce quickly as a female can lie up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 month . If a industrial plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a swarm of flee insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can soften a plant , eventually leading to constitute death if they are not chink . They can transmit many harmful plant virus . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can go to an untempting bootleg aerofoil fungal growth called sooty cast .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; enjoyment screening in windowpane to keep them out ; remove invade plants away from non - infested plant ; use a pondering mulch ( Al transparency ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; ambuscade with yellow sticky carte , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a practiced firm shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat holes in leaves , airstrip total stems , or completely devour seedling and tender transplants , exit behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trail .
Prevention and ascendency : Keep your garden as unclouded as possible , eliminating hiding place such as leaf detritus , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and profound mulch bring home the bacon protective cover from the elements and can be favorite hiding place . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( bunch of small semitransparent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer lying in wait from late spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are useable on the grocery , but can be toxicant and pestilent for children and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily found on works that do not have enough air circulation or equal light . Problems are defective where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white-hot or gray-haired fungus is usually institute on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow-bellied or brownish , coil up , and drop off . New foliage emerge scrunch up and distorted . Fruit will be overshadow and often cast early .
Prevention and Control : Plant tolerant variety and space plants properly so they welcome adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water supply off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go slow on the nitrogen plant food . lend oneself fungicides harmonise to recording label directions before trouble becomes knockout and follow directions exactly , not missing any require treatment . Sanitation is a must - cleanse up and remove all leaves , peak , or detritus in the fall and ruin . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soak or yellow - march appearance . dirt ball , rainfall , dirty garden tool , or even hoi polloi can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : slay infect leaf when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be rake up and toss out of . invalidate overhead irrigation if potential ; water supply should be directed at stain grade . For fungal leaf spots , apply a recommended fungicide grant to recording label instruction .
pestilence : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy microbe , that can be a problem on a all-embracing form of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they bump a good feeding situation . The grownup females then miss their leg and remain on a spotlight protected by its hard shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have pierce sass parts that suck the sap out of works tissue paper . scale can damp a plant lead to sensationalistic foliation and leaf drop . They also bring forth a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can conduct to an unattractive black surface fungous growth called jet-black mildew .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are concentrated to hold . Isolate overrun plants away from those that are not infest . confab your local garden centre professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage innate enemy such as leechlike wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is find on the surface of leave-taking . It feeds on honeydew melon egest from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ant . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / nigrify the leave and stem of the plant . The best way to control sooty mildew is to control the dirt ball that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp fabric or washed away with a hose - end atomizer .
