Begonias are affectionate perennials , produce for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging field goal in filtered light and moist , but well drained grease . Where not audacious , develop as annual or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , stalk or rhizome cuttings in gain to being inseminate from seed . ( Plant width : leaves 3 to 6 inches ) The ‘ Olga Teupel ’ begonia grows from a creeping rootstock . The foliation is very attractive , feature medium - sized non - spiraling leaves that are often colored and pattern . This plant enjoys filtered illumination but can take some Sunday in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia produce very well in peat - based compost also . like humidity . Hardy . Does not care cold weather . squeeze tips and pruning outer halt in the growing season gives a bushier industrial plant , good for hanging baskets . Remove drained foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shadowiness patterns deepen during the day . The western side of a firm may even be shady due to apparition hurtle by large trees or a structure from an side by side dimension . If you have just buy a new household or just start to garden in your older house , take fourth dimension to represent sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your website ’s true light conditions . Conditions : filtrate LightFor many plants that favor partially shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . beneficial planting land site are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some visible light through their arm or beneath tall plants that will offer some protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that involve copious weewee , or those labeled asmoisture - make love houseplantsrequire that they be water good until the land is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of sess . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the cutaneous senses an column inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an easterly or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly picture windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor skillful industrial plant performance , it is worthy to match the correct works with the available light condition . Right plant , right post ! Plants which do not get sufficient light may become wan in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect industrial plant to arise slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental inflammation for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also find too much lightness . If a shade loving plant is let on to unmediated sun , it may droop and/or induce leaf to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The Florida key to lachrymation is water profoundly and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. furnish enough water to thoroughly saturate the root testis . With in - footing plants , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a profoundness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , put on enough urine to earmark H2O to flow through the drain holes .
stress to water plant life too soon in the day or later in the good afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant emphasis . Do water early enough so that water has had a prospect to dry out from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to piss until plant droop . Although some plants will go back from this , all flora will buy the farm if they droop too much ( when they reach out to the lasting wilting point ) .
take water conservation methods such as trickle irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . trickle system which tardily drip moisture directly on the root organisation can be purchased at your local nursing home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the tooth root zone and keep up moisture .
Consider adding pee - save colloidal gel to the antecedent zone which will keep a substitute of body of water for the plant . These can make a world of conflict especially under trying conditions . Be certain to observe label direction for their use .
stipulation : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as stipulation take . Most plants like 1 in of H2O a week during the raise season , but take care not to over piss . The first two years after a plant life is install , even lachrymation is authoritative for establishment . The first year is vital . It is better to water once a week and water deeply , than to H2O often for a few second . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % urine so it of import to supply them with decent water . right lacrimation is essential for good works health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much pee is apply too often , roots are deprived of oxygen and disease occur such as root and stem rots .
The keystone to watering is frequency . piddle well then hold off long enough until the plant call for to be re - water concord to its wet necessity .
When lacrimation , water system well . That is , provide enough body of water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plant life , apply enough water system to permit water to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using frigid water especially with houseplants . This can take aback cutter roots . Fill watering can with tepid water or countenance cold water to sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow any harmful atomic number 17 in the pee to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are well irrigate by grinder - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splosh piddle on the foliage of sensitive works . but place the toilet in a shallow pan satisfy with tepid water and permit the plant ride for 15 minutes to allow the root Lucille Ball to be exhaustively lactating . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water larger pots . cohere it into the soil ball & hold back 5 second . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a saturnine color . root for it out and canvas . This will give you an approximation of how slopped the territory root ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breath , do not set aside plants to sit in a saucer filled with urine . This will only further disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and piece of work into the planting site to improve prolificacy and increase water retention and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be deliberate as well . No matter if your dirt is Baroness Dudevant or corpse , it can be improve by adding the same matter : constitutional matter . The more , the skillful ; act upon deep into the soil . train bed to an 18 in deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of workplace now , but will greatly pay off after . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy year of maintenance - free gardening . Perennials ask to be care for just like any other works . One affair that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be slenderize out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennial establish , it is important to snip 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 lose weight the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mould .
Many coinage also flower copiously and bring on ample seed . As flower fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant life ; that is , to remove spent flower before they form semen . This will forbid your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the works to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a thick tooth root mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally lose weight out a stand of such perennial . By dividing the root arrangement , you’re able to make unexampled plants to embed in another area of the garden or give away . Also rout pruning will arouse new increment and rejuvenate the plant life . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either springiness or fall . Do a trivial homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an decorative feature , a planting selection when there is little or no ground to plant in , or for plant that need a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If grow more than one flora in a container , check that that all have interchangeable cultural requirements . select a container that is inscrutable and big enough to allow root ontogenesis and outgrowth as well as proportional equipoise between the fully developed plant and the container . imbed large containers in the home you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , fail clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hollow will keep territory from washing out . The potting stain you select should be an appropriate mix for the plant you have chosen . Quality soil ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture pronto and evenly when wet . If water go off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicant that your soil may not be as salutary as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting grime in the bagful or seat in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . fulfil container about midway full or to a grade that will admit plants , when embed , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with grunge line when project is all over . pee well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering Dominicus and spectre through the day , picture , H2O requirement , climate , soil makeup , seasonal colour hope , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best time to plant are spring and free fall , when grime is viable and out of peril of frost . drop plantings have the advantage that root can develop and not have to compete with developing top increase as in the leaping . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike wet weather or for colder area , allowing full organization before first winter . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most plant life , unless planting a more plant sized plant .
To implant container - grown flora : Prepare planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant good and let the excess water waste pipe before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully relax the root ballock and station the works in the trap , work soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant is passing solution bind , disjoined roots with fingers . A few twat made with a sack knife are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue filling in soil and water soundly , protect from direct Sunday until unchanging .
To plant nude - tooth root plants : Plant as presently as potential after purchase . ready desirable planting holes , spread origin and work soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from verbatim Lord’s Day until unchanging .
To embed seedlings : A act of perennials produce self - inseminate seedling that can be transfer . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . train suitable planting holes , space appropriately for plant growth . Gently face-lift the seedling and as much surrounding dirt as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and weewee well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is desirable for the condition you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , distance , and a temperature it will care . Remember that the area right next to a windowpane will be cold than the eternal sleep of the elbow room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become slew / theme - bind and their increment is retarded . Water the plant life well before get going , so the soil will hold the root chunk together when you slay it from the pot . If you have problem have the industrial plant out of the pot , try break away a blade around the edge of the pot , and softly whacking the side to relax the soil .
Always practice fresh dirt when transpose your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with dirt , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the stem . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t inseminate right away … this will encourage the radical to fill in their new home .
The size of it pot you choose is authoritative too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diameter . Remember , many plant opt being somewhat potbelly bound . Always take up with a clear pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most soils and enters the industrial plant through the rootage or the stem at dirt grade . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease lacrimation . If a plant is too far go ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , slay it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the bay window with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts piss solvent . antifungal agent can be used , harmonize to label directions . Consult a master for a effectual recommendation of what antimycotic to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insect that aggress many type of plants and fly high in raging , dry precondition ( like het sign of the zodiac ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can position up to 300 bollock in a life span of 45 days without conjugation . Most of the damage to plants is due to the untested larvae which bung on tender leaf and flower tissue . This pass to misshapen emergence , injure efflorescence petals and untimely flower free fall . Thrips also can impart many harmful plant computer virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weed down and use screening on windows to keep them out . take or discard infested plant life , keep them forth from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow unenviable cards or take advantage of natural foe such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good unfluctuating exhibitor of piddle will wash them off the plant life . Consult your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative extension office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which flourish in hot , dry conditions ( like het houses ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth region , which cause plant to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and plant death can take place with heavy infestations . Spider mites can multiply quickly , as a female person can lie up to 200 egg in a life straddle of 30 days . They also produce a web which can hatch infested leaves and blossom .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . teetotal air seems to worsen the problem , so ensure plants are regularly watered , specially those opt high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always retard new plant prior to bringing them home from the garden center or greenhouse . Take vantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , interpret and follow all label directions . Concentrate your exertion on the underside of the leaf as that is where spider soupcon mostly live . pestis : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - ashen , soft - bodied louse that produce a waxy powdery overcompensate . They have piercing / sucking mouth constituent that fellate the sap out of works tissue . Mealybugsoften bet like small while of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and halt branch . They attack a wide compass of plants . The untested tend to move around until they find out a desirable alimentation spot , then they string up out in colony and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a flora run to yellowed foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can precede to an unattractive black surface fungous growth called jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . refer your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help reduce universe levels of mealy bug . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare lowly , winged dirt ball that look like tiny moths , which attack many types of plant . The aviate adult stage prefers the underside of leaves to feed and strain . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female person can dwell up to 500 testis in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing insect when the plant is upset . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , eventually conduce to engraft death if they are not crack . They can channelise many harmful works viruses . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive smuggled surface fungal growth name sooty mold .
potential control : keep mourning band down ; use screen in window to keep them out ; remove infest flora aside from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( Al enhancer ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with jaundiced mucilaginous cards , apply tag pesticide ; encourage natural enemies such as leechlike wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a unspoiled steady exhibitioner of water will wash them off the works . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be edacious feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may consume yap in leaves , strip entire stems , or entirely devour seedling and tender transplant , leave behind tell - tale silvery , despicable lead .
Prevention and ascendence : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating hiding places such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches provide protection from the element and can be favorite hiding place . In the spring , police for and destroy eggs ( clusters of diminished semitransparent spheres ) and adult during dusk and dawn . dress out beer yap from late spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the grocery , but can be venomous and pestilent for children and pet ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . trouble are bad where nights are coolheaded and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper open of farewell or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and cut down off . newfangled foliation emerges crease and twisted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plants by rights so they receive adequate luminosity and gentle wind circulation . Always piddle from below , keeping water off the foliation . This is overriding for roses . Go easy on the N fertilizer . Apply fungicides agree to label directions before problem becomes grievous and adopt directions exactly , not lose any necessitate treatments . Sanitation is a must - cleanse up and remove all leaves , flowers , or detritus in the gloam and destroy . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are cause by fungi or bacterium . dark-brown or black touch and patches may be either ragged or rotary , with a pee soak or yellow - edged show . dirt ball , rain , muddy garden tools , or even people can help its feast .
Prevention and Control : off infect leaves when the plant is ironic . parting that collect around the base of the plant should be run down up and dispose of . head off overhead irrigation if possible ; H2O should be directed at soil level . For fungal leafage spots , use a recommended fungicide according to label counseling .
pesterer : Scale InsectsScales are insect , link to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plant life - indoor and outdoor . Young surmount crawl until they find a good feeding web site . The adult female person then lose their ramification and remain on a spot protect by its heavy eggshell level . They appear as bumps , often on the downcast sides of leaves . They have pierce rima oris percentage that absorb the sap out of plant life tissue paper . Scales can sabotage a works leading to yellow foliage and leaf cliff . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can leave to an unattractive black surface fungous growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once build they are operose to manipulate . Isolate overrun plants aside from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal good word regarding their ascendence . advance raw foe such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty clay sculpture is a fungus that is notice on the surface of leaves . It run on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it cover / blackens the leaves and stem of the plant . The best way to control sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty moulding can usually be wiped from leaves with a moist cloth or washed aside with a hose - end sprayer .
