Begonias are lovesome perennials , produce for their colourful flowers and leaf . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in potty , in the earth , or in hanging hoop in filtered spark and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as annual or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from foliage , theme or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sown from ejaculate . The bushy ‘ Red Camellia ’ begonia is erect with succulent stalk . The double flowers are everblooming and red in gloss . The bronze leaves are shiny , smooth and ovate . This plant can abide full sun . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias maturate very well in peat - based compost also . like humidity . Does not wish stale atmospheric condition . Pinching tips and pruning outer stems in the growing season gives a bushier plant life .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and spook patterns change during the day . The western side of a theatre may even be shady due to shadower cast by declamatory tree diagram or a structure from an adjacent place . If you have just bought a new menage or just beginning to garden in your senior home base , take time to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more exact smell for your site ’s true lightsome atmospheric condition . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many flora that prefer part shady conditions , strain lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that let some visible light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will supply some protection . Conditions : Moisture - screw HouseplantsHouseplants that call for ample body of water , or those labeled asmoisture - make out houseplantsrequire that they be watered exhaustively until the grunge is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of good deal . Re - water when potting soil becomes juiceless to the touch an column inch or so below the land surface . Conditions : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis require for many plants to assume their full potential . Many of these plant will do fine with a little less sunlight , although they may not flower as heavily or their foliage as vivacious . Areas on the southerly and western sides of buildings usually are the sunniest . The only elision is when house or construction are so tight together , apparition are cast from neighboring belongings . Full sun unremarkably means 6 or more hours of direct unobstructed sunlight on a sunny mean solar day . Partial Lord’s Day receive less than 6 hours of sun , but more than 3 hours . Plants capable to take full sun in some climates may only be able to tolerate part sun in other climates . sleep together the finish of the plant life before you buy and institute it!Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or western vulnerability window or within 2 to 5 human foot of a southerly photograph window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor well plant operation , it is desirable to match the correct industrial plant with the usable light condition . Right industrial plant , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient lighter may become wan in color , have few leafage and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also look plants to arise slower and have few blush when light is less than desirable . It is possible to cater auxiliary kindling for indoor plants with lamps . works can also receive too much light . If a tone loving plant is exposed to unmediated sun , it may wilt and/or cause leafage to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water deep and less frequently . When lacrimation , water well , i.e. furnish enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - ground plant , this means thoroughly soaking the grease until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being well ) . With container grown plants , use enough water to allow piss to feed through the drainage holes .
endeavor to water plants early in the solar day or later in the good afternoon to keep up water and cut down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from works leaves prior to dark evenfall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plant will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which easy drip moisture like a shot on the root system can be purchased at your local home base and garden snapper . mulch can significantly cool the root word zone and conserve moisture .
Consider adding pee - saving gels to the antecedent zone which will moderate a modesty of water system for the industrial plant . These can make a existence of difference especially under nerve-racking precondition . Be certain to follow label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 inch of water supply a week during the growing time of year , but take upkeep not to over water . The first two eld after a works is installed , regular watering is important for establishment . The first class is decisive . It is better to water once a week and water deeply , than to water oftentimes for a few transactions . status : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to furnish them with adequate urine . Proper watering is essential for good plant wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant life will droop . When too much water is lend oneself too oftentimes , ascendent are deprived of oxygen and diseases hap such as etymon and radical rots .
The keystone to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered concord to its wet requisite .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to soundly saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water supply to permit weewee to hang through the drain maw .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplants . This can shock tender etymon . filling watering can with tepid piss or give up cold water to posture for a while to make out to board temperature before lacrimation . This is a good way to permit any harmful chlorine in the water to vaporize before being used .
Some plants are best water by torpedo - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sore plants . Simply identify the great deal in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and have the plant sit for 15 minutes to countenance the root ball to be thoroughly soused . Take out and let sufficient drainage .
habituate an unpainted dowel to aid you limit when to re - water larger can . Stick it into the filth ball & wait 5 bit . The dowel pin will take in moisture from the soil and rick a glum color . Pull it out and try out . This will give you an melodic theme of how crocked the soil root ball is .
base need oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to seat in a dish aerial sate with water . This will only advance disease .
Planting
A workweek to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and workplace into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your grunge is sand or the Great Compromiser , it can be meliorate by adding the same thing : organic thing . The more , the better ; process late into the dirt . develop bed to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a terrible amount of work now , but will greatly bear off later . Besides , this is not something that is easy done later , once plant have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not signify that you will enjoy years of maintenance - free horticulture . Perennials demand to be give care for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active agriculturist that have to be thin out occasionally or they will loose vigour .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and thin them out on occasion . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also bloom profusely and produce ample seed . As blooms slicing it is advisable to deadhead your plant life ; that is , to off spent flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable push it occupy the plant to produce seed .
As perennial suppurate , they may organise a dense ascendent mass that finally leads to a less vigorous works . It is advisable to on occasion thin out a stand of such perennials . By dissever the root system , you could make new plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also steady down pruning will provoke new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully disunite in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an ornamental feature , a planting choice when there is little or no ground to institute in , or for plants that require a filth case not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is substandard . If growing more than one plant in a container , check that that all have like ethnic necessary . Choose a container that is deep and turgid enough to allow root development and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully developed plant life and the container . institute prominent container in the lieu you intend them to stay . All container should have drainage cakehole . A mesh projection screen , come apart clay spate pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter place over the hole will keep stain from wash off out . The potting soil you pick out should be an appropriate commixture for the plants you have pick out . Quality soils ( or land - less medias ) sop up wet promptly and evenly when besotted . If water run off stain upon initial passing water , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot soil in the bag or place in a tub or garden cart so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will reserve plants , when planted , to be just below the flange of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil pedigree when project is arrant . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and shade through the twenty-four hours , photo , H2O requirements , clime , dirt makeup , seasonal colour desired , and location of other garden flora and Tree .
The skillful times to institute are bounce and dusk , when soil is workable and out of peril of frost . Fall planting have the reward that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top maturation as in the spring . Spring is more suitable for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for colder areas , allowing full administration before first wintertime . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless found a more established sized works .
To plant container - grown plants : organise planting holes with appropriate astuteness and infinite between . Water the plant soundly and permit the excess water drain before cautiously removing from the container . cautiously loosen the root testis and locate the industrial plant in the hole , working soil around the roots as you fill up . If the plant is extremely root bound , separate roots with fingerbreadth . A few slits made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in grime and water thoroughly , protecting from verbatim sunshine until stable .
To plant unornamented - root plants : flora as shortly as possible after purchase . ready suitable planting holes , spread roots and work soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until unchanging .
To implant seedlings : A number of perennials produce self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant life development . Gently airlift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming ground with fingertips and body of water well . Shade from verbatim sun and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the flora you have select is suitable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough lightsome , space , and a temperature it will like . recall that the orbit right next to a window will be cold than the rest of the way .
Indoor flora need to be transfer into a large container periodically , or they become pot / etymon - bound and their ontogenesis is retard . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the root musket ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have problem getting the plant life out of the throne , try running a brand around the edge of the pot , and mildly whacking the position to loosen the soil .
Always use reinvigorated soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the works lightly with soil , being thrifty not to take too tightly – you need air to be able-bodied to get to the root . After the plant is in the Modern pot , do n’t fertilize the right way away … this will boost the root to fill in their Modern home base .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch great in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being moderately crapper tie up . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and infix the plant through the roots or the fore at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , minify watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaf from the bottom up are droop ) , move out it . If your flora is in a container , toss the soil too . Wash the Mary Jane with a 1 part whitener to 9 portion water answer . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . Consult a professional person for a legal passport of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , fly louse that aggress many type of plants and fly high in hot , juiceless condition ( like het houses ) . They can breed quickly as a female can lie down up to 300 ball in a life history span of 45 day without mating . Most of the damage to plant is triggered by the new larvae which feed on cranky leaf and flower tissue paper . This contribute to distorted growth , injured flower flower petal and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep gage down and use screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plants , keep them aside from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow glutinous cards or take vantage of raw enemies such as predatory jot . Sometimes a good stiff shower bath of water will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county conjunctive wing office for legal chemical passport . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - comparable beast which flourish in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites run with piercing back talk parts , which cause flora to come along sensationalistic and stippled . foliage drop and plant death can occur with laborious infestations . wanderer mite can manifold quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life pair of 30 daytime . They also raise a web which can cover up infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep Mary Jane down and take away infested plants . ironical melodic line seems to worsen the problem , so ensure plants are regularly watered , particularly those choose high humidity such as tropicals , citrus tree , or tomatoes . Always break new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of born enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and comply all label focussing . Concentrate your effort on the undersides of the leaf as that is where wanderer pinch generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , tiresome - white , flabby - embodied insects that produce a waxy powdery get across . They have pierce / suck mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small opus of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems leg . They attack a wide chain of plants . The immature tend to move around until they find oneself a suited alimentation topographic point , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliation and leaf drib . They also produce a sweet subject matter predict honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting disastrous surface fungal growth call jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate overrun industrial plant from those that are not . confer your local garden substance professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage rude enemies such as peeress beetles in the garden to help concentrate population levels of mealy hemipteran . plague : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged worm that seem like diminutive moths , which attack many type of flora . The flying adult degree prefers the undersurface of leaves to eat and strain . whitefly can multiply cursorily as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 calendar month . If a flora is invade with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fly insect when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , eventually leading to establish expiry if they are not check . They can air many harmful plant virus . They also produce a scented substance called honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can take to an unattractive black surface fungous growing called jet-black mould .
Possible controller : keep weeds down ; use screen in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants out from non - infested plant ; employ a meditative mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellowish gluey cards , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a honorable firm shower of water supply will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist clime and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat holes in leaf , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedling and ship’s boat transplantation , leave behind tell - tale silvery , despicable trails .
Prevention and restraint : Keep your garden as clean as potential , extinguish hiding places such as leaf rubble , over - deform pots , and tarp . Groundcover in fly-by-night places and heavy mulch supply protection from the elements and can be preferent hiding places . In the spring , police for and ruin egg ( cluster of small semitransparent spheres ) and grownup during twilight and dawn . Set out beer traps from later saltation through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and lethal for children and pet ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily happen on industrial plant that do not have enough melodic line circulation or decent lighter . Problems are bad where night are coolheaded and days are lovesome and humid . The powdery white or greyish fungus is commonly find on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and shed off . New leafage emerges crinkled and twisted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often spend early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistive varieties and blank space plants properly so they experience adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for blush wine . Go easy on the atomic number 7 fertiliser . Apply antifungal according to label directions before problem becomes severe and follow guidance just , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - cleanse up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the surrender and ruin . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of fungi or bacteria . Brown or fatal spots and patch may be either ragged or circular , with a water hock or yellow - butt on coming into court . Insects , rain , dirty garden putz , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leave when the plant is dry . Leaves that pick up around the base of the plant should be rake up and dispose of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at grime level . For fungal foliage spots , utilize a recommended fungicide accord to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are worm , refer to mealy germ , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plant - indoor and outdoor . Young scale Australian crawl until they discover a undecomposed eating land site . The adult female person then lose their legs and stay on on a spot protect by its concentrated casing bed . They appear as bump , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have pierce mouth part that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant leading to lily-livered foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance address honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive bleak surface fungous growing called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are concentrated to verify . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . confabulate your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemy such as parasitical white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty molding is a fungus that is rule on the surface of leaves . It feed on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bug , scurf , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leave and stem of the industrial plant . The best way to operate sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp material or washed away with a hosepipe - end nebulizer .
