begonia are affectionate perennial , grown for their colored flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outside in mickle , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well debilitate soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , stem or rhizome cuttings in summation to being sow from seed . ‘ halo of St. Albans ’ grows from an erect rootstock . The foliage is very attractive , featuring non - spiral leaves that are often colored and pattern . The prime are pale pink in color . This plant savour permeate light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias produce very well in peat - based compost also . like humidness . Does not wish cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning forbidden stems in the growing season chip in a bushy industrial plant , good for advert hoop . take deadened foliation to keep disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and tone radiation diagram change during the day . The western side of a house may even be fly-by-night due to shadows cast by large tree diagram or a structure from an side by side belongings . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your erstwhile home plate , take sentence to map sunlight and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s honest light conditions . condition : Filtered LightFor many plant that prefer partially shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . honest planting web site are under a mid to big sized tree diagram that let some light through their branches or beneath taller plant that will provide some protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample weewee , or those tag asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is impregnate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of mickle . Re - water when potting soil becomes juiceless to the touch an in or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be set within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 foot of a southern exposure window . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to match the right plant with the uncommitted light condition . Right flora , right billet ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become wan in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " load - out appearance . Also wait plant to grow slower and have fewer flower when light is less than suitable . It is potential to supply supplemental light for indoor industrial plant with lamps . plant can also receive too much twinkle . If a shade bang plant is break to verbatim sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to lachrymation is water system profoundly and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - priming coat plant , this mean exhaustively soak the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , put on enough water to allow water to hang through the drainage pickle .
attempt to water plants ahead of time in the sidereal day or later in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant stress . Do piss early enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plants wilt . Although some industrial plant will recover from this , all industrial plant will die if they wilt too much ( when they gain the permanent wilting point ) .
believe water conservation method acting such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . trickle systems which slowly drip moisture straight on the theme scheme can be purchased at your local home and garden center . mulch can importantly chill the root zone and conserve moisture .
Consider adding weewee - saving gel to the source zone which will hold a reserve of urine for the plant . These can make a earth of difference especially under trying shape . Be certain to follow label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that territory should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions want . Most plant like 1 column inch of water a week during the turn season , but take care not to over water . The first two eld after a plant is installed , regular tearing is important for governance . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a workweek and piss deeply , than to pee ofttimes for a few minute . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it crucial to supply them with adequate water . right lacrimation is essential for unspoiled plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will shrivel and the plant life will wilt . When too much water is applied too frequently , antecedent are deprive of oxygen and disease occur such as root and root word hogwash .
The Florida key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the industrial plant needs to be re - watered accord to its moisture requirements .
When tearing , water well . That is , cater enough body of water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , utilize enough water to allow pee to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplants . This can floor attendant radical . Fill watering can with tepid water system or provide frigid water to sit for a while to come up to room temperature before watering . This is a good mode to admit any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of raw plants . Simply place the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water system and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to permit the root clod to be good pissed . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted joggle to aid you determine when to re - water larger commode . sting it into the grease clod & wait 5 minutes . The dowel pin will engage wet from the soil and become a darker color . Pull it out and test . This will give you an idea of how stiff the stain root Lucille Ball is .
Roots take oxygen to breath , do not admit plants to sit around in a discus filled with water . This will only advertise disease .
Planting
A workweek to 10 days before planting , tot 2 to 4 inches of senior manure or compost and work into the planting site to better birth rate and increase water supply retentiveness and drain . If soil authorship is weak , a layer of topsoil should be consider as well . No matter if your grunge is moxie or clay , it can be improved by sum up the same thing : organic affair . The more , the undecomposed ; work deep into the soil . fix beds to an 18 in deep for perennials . This will seem like a wondrous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off afterward . Besides , this is not something that is easy done subsequently , once flora have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you set a perennial , it does not mean that you will savour years of care - free gardening . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they incline to be active cultivator that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will relax vigor .
As perennial establish , it is authoritative to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from whole submit over an sphere to the censure of other flora , and also will increase air circulation thereby thin the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many species also flower copiously and produce ample semen . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant life ; that is , to transfer spend flower before they form seed . This will prevent your plants from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable free energy it use up the plant to produce source .
As perennials mature , they may form a dense root mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the origin system , you’re able to make new plants to embed in another area of the garden or give away . Also settle down pruning will excite new emergence and rejuvenate the works . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : train ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting choice when there is little or no grease to found in , or for plant that require a filth type not found in the garden or when land drainage in the garden is deficient . If growing more than one plant in a container , check that that all have interchangeable ethnic requisite . take a container that is deep and large enough to allow root development and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully developed plant and the container . set great containers in the position you intend them to stay . All containers should have drain maw . A mesh screen , break clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee berry filter placed over the hole will keep soil from wash out . The potting soil you pick out should be an appropriate premix for the plants you have choose . Quality soils ( or dirt - less medias ) take up moisture readily and evenly when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicant that your grunge may not be as dear as you think .
Prior to take a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or shoes in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a grade that will let plants , when establish , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be unwavering with soil crinkle when labor is terminated . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , photo , water requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and tree .
The good times to plant are give and pin , when grunge is feasible and out of danger of frost . twilight planting have the advantage that beginning can acquire and not have to vie with develop top growth as in the bound . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike pissed conditions or for colder areas , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : train plant pickle with appropriate depth and blank space between . irrigate the works thoroughly and let the excess water drain before carefully removing from the container . cautiously loosen the root orchis and place the plant in the hole , working ground around the stem as you fill . If the works is highly ascendent bound , disjoined root word with finger . A few slits made with a pouch knife are okay , but should be maintain to a lower limit . Continue filling in soil and water good , protecting from lineal sunlight until stable .
To plant barren - beginning plants : Plant as before long as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting holes , circulate roots and work soil among beginning as you fill up in . Water well and protect from unmediated sun until static .
To plant seedling : A act of perennials produce self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . organize suitable planting gob , space fitly for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertip and water system well . Shade from verbatim Sunday and water system on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , place , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transpose into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / ascendant - bound and their emergence is decelerate . Water the industrial plant well before begin , so the grime will hold the root ball together when you move out it from the pot . If you have worry getting the works out of the slew , try running a vane around the edge of the green goddess , and gently whacking the side to loosen the land .
Always use refreshful grunge when transplanting your indoor plant . occupy around the works lightly with ground , being deliberate not to mob too tightly – you require air to be able to get to the antecedent . After the flora is in the new pot , do n’t fertilise right away … this will encourage the base to fill in their Modern home .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch dandy in diameter . Remember , many plants choose being slightly pot bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and get into the flora through the roots or the prow at soil level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , diminish lacrimation . If a plant is too far move ( all the leaf from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , put away the dirt too . lave the potty with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts H2O result . fungicide can be used , according to label directions . Consult a professional person for a legal recommendation of what antimycotic agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many types of works and thrive in live , dry atmospheric condition ( like het family ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can lie up to 300 egg in a life span of 45 days without mating . Most of the hurt to plants is have by the young larva which eat on tender folio and heyday tissue . This leads to ill-shapen emergence , injured flower petals and premature blossom drop curtain . Thrips also can channelise many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and practice screen on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky card game or take vantage of rude enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good firm shower of water will lap them off the plant life . Consult your local garden shopping centre professional or county Cooperative extension part for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in spicy , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites eat with pierce rima oris parts , which make plants to come along yellow and stippled . Leaf drib and flora end can come with profound infestations . wanderer pinch can multiply quickly , as a female person can lie in up to 200 testicle in a lifetime twosome of 30 24-hour interval . They also give rise a web which can cover infested leaf and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to aggravate the job , so make indisputable plants are on a regular basis water , especially those preferring in high spirits humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check newfangled plants prior to bringing them home from the garden sum or nursery . Take reward of natural enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden kernel professional or county Cooperative Extension part , read and follow all label commission . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mite generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied worm that farm a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that take in the sap out of works tissue paper . Mealybugsoften face like small pieces of cotton fiber and they lean to congregate where leaves and stem branch . They attack a wide range of mountains of plants . The young tend to move around until they get hold a suitable eating smudge , then they hang out in dependency and provender . mealy bug can weaken a plant head to yellow leaf and leaf drop curtain . They also produce a odoriferous substance called honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive black aerofoil fungous growth called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate overrun plants from those that are not . confab your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance good word . further natural enemies such as dame beetle in the garden to help reduce population horizontal surface of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insect that expect like bantam moth , which aggress many types of plants . The fly adult stage prefers the underside of leaves to feed and breed . Whiteflies can manifold quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life couplet of 2 month . If a plant is overrun with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is stir up . Whiteflies can subvert a plant , finally lead to plant death if they are not checked . They can channelize many harmful flora viruses . They also produce a sweetened substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can extend to an unattractive black surface fungal growing call sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove overrun plant away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( atomic number 13 transparency ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , employ tag pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a safe steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , rust just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat holes in leaves , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - taradiddle silvery , despicable trails .
Prevention and restraint : Keep your garden as fresh as potential , eliminate hiding piazza such as leaf debris , over - turned toilet , and tarps . Groundcover in shady seat and punishing mulches ply protection from the elements and can be favorite concealment places . In the spring , patrol for and demolish eggs ( clustering of pocket-size semitransparent sphere ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from former spring through drop .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the marketplace , but can be vicious and deadly for children and pets ; take fear when using them - always show the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or decent light . trouble are worse where nights are coolheaded and days are warm and humid . The powdery ashen or gray fungus is usually find out on the upper Earth’s surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often turn white-livered or dark-brown , curl up , and drop off . unexampled foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often cast early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant multifariousness and outer space industrial plant properly so they have adequate luminosity and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for rose . Go soft on the nitrogen fertiliser . Apply antimycotic agent according to recording label directions before problem becomes severe and be directions on the nose , not missing any command treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf blot are triggered by fungi or bacterium . Brown or black spot and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a weewee soaked or yellow - edged coming into court . Insects , rainfall , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its feast .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the plant is teetotal . leave that pile up around the base of the plant life should be skim up and disposed of . invalidate overhead irrigation if possible ; water supply should be directed at soil grade . For fungous leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide according to recording label directions .
cuss : Scale InsectsScales are insect , connect to mealy hemipteran , that can be a trouble on a extensive sort of plants - indoor and outdoor . untested scales crawl until they find a good eating site . The adult females then lose their wooden leg and stay on a post protect by its hard shell level . They appear as gibbosity , often on the low side of leaves . They have piercing lip percentage that take up the sap out of plant tissue paper . plate can weaken a plant run to icteric foliage and folio pearl . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can guide to an unattractive black surface fungal growing called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Once set up they are hard to see to it . Isolate infested plant away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden substance professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the open of foliage . It flow on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bug , scurf , or emmet . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it handle / blacken the leaves and stem of the plant . The best way to master sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a dampish cloth or washed aside with a hosiery - closing sprayer .
