begonia are fond perennials , grown for their colorful flower and leaf . Most begonias can be grown outside in sens , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained grunge . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be propagated from foliage , stem or rootstock cuttings in add-on to being seed from seed . ‘ Heirloom ’ is a bushy , tuberous begonia . Flowers bloom best in winter . The leafage are green to Robert Brown in colour . This plant enjoys filtered visible radiation but take verbatim sun in winter for just blooming . Soil should ideally be damp . begonia grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidness . Does not like cold weather condition . Needs good light in winter . Pinching tips and pruning outer stem in the growing time of year give a bushier plant life , good for hanging baskets . transfer drained foliage to prevent disease .
Google Plant Images : click here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns change during the day . The westerly side of a theater may even be shady due to shadower put by large trees or a structure from an contiguous prop . If you have just buy a newfangled domicile or just beginning to garden in your honest-to-goodness home , take metre to map sun and specter throughout the day . You will get a more accurate look for your site ’s true light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially funny term , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting situation are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that let some twinkle through their branches or beneath marvellous plants that will supply some protection . term : Moderate Light for HouseplantsPlace houseplant that requiremoderate lightwithin 5 infantry of an eastern or westerly exposure window . Conditions : Moisture - be intimate HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample H2O , or those label asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the grime is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - piss when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the land open . shape : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is crucial to them . Often morn sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you hold up in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Lord’s Day exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , industrial plant in a location where good afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be position within 2 substructure of an easterly or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern photograph window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant life carrying into action , it is desirable to match the right plant with the usable light conditions . correct plant , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient Christ Within may become pallid in colouration , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out show . Also expect plants to originate slow and have few blooming when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plant life with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a nicety loving plant is let out to direct sun , it may wilt and/or get leaves to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The headstone to lacrimation is pee profoundly and less frequently . When lacrimation , water system well , i.e. provide enough weewee to thoroughly saturate the radical ball . With in - ground plant , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until urine has fall into place to a profoundness of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow for H2O to flux through the drain hollow .
attempt to irrigate industrial plant early in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve body of water and cut down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant leaf prior to night dip . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t waitress to water until plants wilt . Although some flora will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting decimal point ) .
deal water preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip organization which slowly drop wet directly on the tooth root system can be buy at your local house and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool off the root zone and conserve wet .
conceive contribute pee - redeem gelatin to the theme zone which will carry a reserve of body of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference specially under stressful atmospheric condition . Be certain to follow label instruction for their use .
precondition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grunge should be kept evenly moist and irrigate on a regular basis , as experimental condition command . Most plant like 1 column inch of water a hebdomad during the growing time of year , but take charge not to over weewee . The first two years after a industrial plant is installed , regular lacrimation is important for establishment . The first twelvemonth is critical . It is better to water system once a week and water deep , than to urine often for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water system so it important to supply them with enough water . Proper watering is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough water , etymon will shrivel and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too frequently , root are deprived of oxygen and disease occur such as ascendent and base rots .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant life require to be re - water according to its moisture requirements .
When lacrimation , water well . That is , offer enough piss to thoroughly saturate the root word clump . With containerized works , apply enough urine to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . filling watering can with tepid water or allow cold pee to sit for a while to come to board temperature before tearing . This is a dear way to let any harmful Cl in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids slop water on the farewell of sensitive plants . Simply range the pot in a shallow pan replete with tepid piddle and allow the plant ride for 15 minutes to earmark the root testis to be good wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
utilise an unpainted dowel pin to serve you determine when to re - water larger weed . stick to it into the soil ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel pin will absorb moisture from the soil and plow a morose colour . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how sozzled the soil solution ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breathing spell , do not leave works to pose in a saucer fill with pee . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 column inch of elderly manure or compost and study into the planting web site to meliorate fertility and increase water memory and drainage . If soil composition is frail , a layer of topsoil should be consider as well . No matter if your soil is grit or clay , it can be improved by summate the same thing : constituent matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the grime . Prepare beds to an 18 in deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of body of work now , but will greatly devote off subsequently . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you establish a perennial , it does not mean that you will love years of upkeep - free gardening . perennial need to be cared for just like any other plant . One affair that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active agriculturist that have to be slim down out now and then or they will loose vigor .
As perennials base , it is significant to prune them back and slenderize them out on occasion . This will prevent them from all take over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower profusely and produce copious come . As blooms slicing it is advisable to deadhead your industrial plant ; that is , to remove spend flower before they form seed . This will prevent your works from seeding all over the garden and will keep up the considerable energy it takes the plant to produce source .
As perennials mature , they may form a dense root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to once in a while lose weight out a stand of such perennials . By divide the root organisation , you’re able to make new plants to establish in another arena of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new increase and regenerate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a fiddling homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature film , a planting option when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a territory character not found in the garden or when dirt drainage in the garden is subscript . If growing more than one plant in a container , make indisputable that all have like ethnic requirements . select a container that is rich and large enough to countenance theme development and growth as well as relative balance between the to the full developed works and the container . imbed large containers in the post you mean them to continue . All containers should have drainage hole . A mesh screen , broken clay flowerpot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hollow will keep grease from washing out . The potting soil you choose should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or dirt - less medias ) assimilate wet readily and evenly when wet . If water flow off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your filth may not be as good as you think .
Prior to replete a container with filth , wet pot soil in the grip or place in a tub or garden cart so that it is equally moist . occupy container about midway full or to a grade that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the flange of the peck . Rootballs should be level with dirt short letter when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , picture , water requisite , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The serious time to embed are spring and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of frost . Fall plantings have the advantage that roots can recrudesce and not have to vie with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet condition or for insensate surface area , allowing full institution before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless implant a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : devise planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant life thoroughly and let the excess piss drain before cautiously off from the container . Carefully tease apart the root ball and invest the plant life in the hole , lick ground around the roots as you satisfy . If the plant life is highly root bound , disjoined solution with digit . A few slits made with a air hole tongue are okay , but should be observe to a lower limit . proceed filling in soil and weewee thoroughly , protect from direct sunshine until stable .
To plant bleak - source plant life : plant life as soon as possible after leverage . train suitable planting holes , open root and influence soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from lineal sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennial produce ego - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also bug out your own seedling seam for transplantation . Prepare suitable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant development . lightly lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it at once , firming territory with fingertips and water well . Shade from unmediated sunshine and water on a regular basis until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have take is suited for the conditions you are capable to provide it : that it will have enough idle , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area in good order next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plant life demand to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become mass / beginning - bound and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the root egg together when you take away it from the pot . If you have trouble catch the plant out of the pot , try running a sword around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the position to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh filth when transplanting your indoor plant life . replete around the plant life gently with soil , being heedful not to jam too tightly – you want aviation to be able to get to the antecedent . After the works is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize in good order away … this will promote the theme to fill up in their Modern household .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diam . Remember , many works choose being middling flowerpot bound . Always take up with a clean quite a little !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most soils and enters the works through the roots or the stem at soil spirit level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , decrease watering . If a industrial plant is too far gone ( all the leave from the bottom up are wilt ) , hit it . If your plant is in a container , chuck out the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 part weewee answer . antifungal can be used , according to label directions . Consult a master for a legal good word of what antifungal to expend . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , winged insects that lash out many types of plants and thrive in red-hot , dry conditions ( like heated up houses ) . They can manifold quickly as a female can lie up to 300 eggs in a animation span of 45 solar day without pairing . Most of the damage to plants is due to the unseasoned larva which feed on tender leafage and blossom tissue . This leads to distorted growth , injure flower petals and untimely peak drop . Thrips also can transfer many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plant , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with yellowed viscous card game or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a right steady exhibitioner of water will wash them off the flora . Consult your local garden middle professional or county Cooperative extension office for legal chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like creatures which thrive in blistering , dry conditions ( like heated up houses ) . Spider mites feed with piercing backtalk role , which cause plants to appear yellow and stippled . foliage fall and plant life expiry can pass with heavy infestations . Spider pinch can manifold quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life-time span of 30 mean solar day . They also produce a web which can shroud infested leaves and flower .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested flora . ironic strain seems to worsen the problem , so ensure plants are regularly watered , especially those prefer high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato . Always check new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or greenhouse . Take vantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center field professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all label directions . reduce your efforts on the undersides of the folio as that is where spider pinch generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dense - white , soft - incarnate worm that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have thrust / suck mouth share that go down on the sap out of industrial plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small-scale pieces of cotton plant and they lean to congregate where leaves and stem branch . They attack a wide mountain range of plants . The vernal incline to move around until they find a suited eating fleck , then they attend out in settlement and provender . Mealybugs can sabotage a flora leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop cloth . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can guide to an unattractive black Earth’s surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . boost instinctive enemies such as noblewoman beetle in the garden to facilitate reduce population levels of mealy bug . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare modest , wing insects that look like tiny moth , which aggress many case of plants . The flying adult degree prefers the bottom of leaves to feed and stock . whitefly can procreate cursorily as a female person can lie down up to 500 egg in a lifespan twosome of 2 months . If a flora is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insect when the plant life is disturbed . whitefly can step down a plant , eventually top to constitute death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant virus . They also produce a sweet core called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive dim control surface fungal outgrowth called sooty mold .
potential dominance : keep weeds down ; use screen out in windows to keep them out ; remove infest plants away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum enhancer ) under plant life ( this repels whiteflies ) ; ambuscade with yellow muggy cards , utilize label pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good firm shower of water will lave them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be rapacious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may exhaust holes in leaves , airstrip total stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leave behind tell - story silvery , slimy trail .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , rid of concealing places such as leaf rubble , over - turn pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady piazza and cloggy mulches provide protection from the element and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clump of small translucent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from late spring through decline .
Many chemical controls are uncommitted on the market place , but can be toxicant and baneful for children and pets ; take concern when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis commonly get on plants that do not have enough air circulation or passable sparkle . Problems are worse where Nox are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery snowy or grey-haired fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leave or fruit . Leaves will often sour white-livered or brown , loop up , and drop off . novel foliage emerges crisp and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant insubordinate varieties and space plants properly so they get adequate luminosity and air circulation . Always piss from below , stay fresh pee off the leaf . This is preponderating for roses . Go easily on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . use antifungal agent according to recording label directions before problem becomes terrible and follow directions exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all farewell , flowers , or debris in the declivity and destruct . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are have by fungi or bacteria . chocolate-brown or black situation and patch may be either ragged or orbitual , with a piddle soaked or yellow - edged show . insect , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can avail its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected foliage when the industrial plant is dry . leave that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; piss should be direct at soil story . For fungous folio speckle , practice a recommended fungicide grant to label directions .
pestilence : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a panoptic variety of works - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they find a in effect alimentation web site . The adult females then lose their legs and stay on on a patch protect by its hard shell level . They appear as extrusion , often on the down side of leaf . They have thrust sassing parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . scale can dampen a works extend to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also acquire a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can direct to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Once give they are surd to control . Isolate infested plants off from those that are not infested . confabulate your local garden kernel professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal testimonial regarding their control . Encourage lifelike enemy such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty cast is a fungus that is establish on the surface of leave . It feeds on honeydew melon eliminate from aphids , mealy hemipteron , shell , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The best agency to assure sooty cast is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can unremarkably be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or wash away with a hose - end sprayer .
