Begonias are cranky perennials , grown for their colored bloom and foliage . Most begonias can be grow outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hang baskets in filtered illumination and moist , but well drained dirt . Where not hardy , develop as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from folio , stem or rhizome cuttings in summation to being sow from semen . ( Plant breadth : provide over 6 inches ) The ‘ Silver Firecolor ’ begonia grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring large non - spiral leaves that are often colour and model . The flower are everblooming and pallid pink in vividness . This plant enjoys filtered spark but can take some sunshine in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Does not like cold weather condition . Pinching tips and pruning outer stem in the arise time of year gives a bushier plant life , good for hanging basketball hoop . bump off dead foliage to forestall disease .
Google Plant Images : sink in here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade formula change during the day . The westerly side of a business firm may even be fishy due to shadows cast by large trees or a construction from an adjacent attribute . If you have just bought a raw home or just start out to garden in your quondam home base , take time to represent Dominicus and shade throughout the twenty-four hour period . You will get a more accurate look for your site ’s true light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plant that prefer partially funny condition , filtered lightis saint . expert planting situation are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lease some light through their branch or beneath improbable plant that will provide some protective covering . Conditions : Moisture - love HouseplantsHouseplants that want sizable water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the soil is impregnate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes ironical to the touch an inch or so below the soil open . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer Inner Light that is percolate . Sunlight , though not verbatim , is important to them . Often morning Lord’s Day , because it is not as potent as good afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you live in an field that does not get much intense Sunday , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be hunky-dory . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a positioning where afternoon spook will be receive . condition : brilliant Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 invertebrate foot of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 pes of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant carrying out , it is desirable to match the right plant with the available light conditions . Right plant , right place ! industrial plant which do not receive sufficient lighter may become pale in gloss , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out coming into court . Also expect plants to develop slower and have few peak when light is less than desirable . It is possible to ply supplemental ignition for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade love plant is let on to direct sun , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The Florida key to lachrymation is water deeply and less frequently . When lacrimation , piss well , i.e. provide enough pee to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until water has bottom to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough piddle to allow water to flow through the drainage gob .
endeavor to irrigate plants early in the daytime or later in the afternoon to conserve piddle and reduce down on plant accent . Do water system early enough so that pee has had a chance to dry from plant life leave prior to night drop . This is predominant if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until flora droop . Although some plant will recover from this , all plants will fail if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider water preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mould arrangement which slowly drip moisture directly on the antecedent system can be purchase at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the root zone and economize moisture .
take adding piddle - saving gels to the root zona which will curb a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of departure especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to fall out label directions for their function .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that ground should be hold open evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most flora like 1 inch of water a workweek during the grow season , but take caution not to over water . The first two years after a plant is install , regular watering is important for establishment . The first class is critical . It is better to water once a week and water deep , than to weewee oft for a few minutes . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % pee so it important to supply them with adequate water . Proper watering is essential for good plant life wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the flora will wilt . When too much water is apply too ofttimes , roots are impoverish of O and diseases occur such as root and root rot .
The key to lacrimation is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the works involve to be re - watered according to its wet requirements .
When lachrymation , H2O well . That is , render enough water to thoroughly impregnate the solution formal . With containerized industrial plant , utilize enough water to allow water to hang through the drainage hollow .
Avoid using cold weewee especially with houseplant . This can shock tender roots . Fill tearing can with tepid urine or earmark dusty H2O to sit for a while to do to room temperature before lachrymation . This is a good way to allow any harmful Cl in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are well irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splash water system on the leaves of sore plants . plainly place the smoke in a shallow pan fill with tepid water and let the plant life sit down for 15 minutes to admit the root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
apply an unpainted dowel to help oneself you determine when to re - water larger corporation . Stick it into the dirt ball & waitress 5 minutes . The dowel pin will absorb wet from the soil and turn a dour color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how stiff the soil root musket ball is .
stem ask oxygen to breath , do not leave industrial plant to sit in a saucer filled with water . This will only kick upstairs disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 days before planting , bestow 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and body of work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water supply retention and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a stratum of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your grime is sand or Lucius Clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the adept ; operate deep into the soil . Prepare bed to an 18 inch rich for perennials . This will seem like a fantastic amount of body of work now , but will greatly pay off afterwards . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been set up . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you implant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy year of maintenance - free gardening . perennial need to be wish for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be alive growers that have to be reduce out occasionally or they will loose vim .
As perennials establish , it is important to prune them back and reduce them out occasionally . This will forbid them from completely taking over an surface area to the exclusion of other plant , and also will increase atmosphere circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many species also flower profusely and make sizable seed . As salad days fade it is advisable to deadhead your works ; that is , to hit pass bloom before they form seed . This will prevent your works from seed all over the garden and will economize the considerable energy it take the plant to produce semen .
As perennial maturate , they may mould a dense root mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to once in a while thin out a stand of such perennials . By separate the root scheme , you could make novel plant to plant in another surface area of the garden or give away . Also rout pruning will perk up young growth and restore the plant . Most perennial may be successfully separate in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : set ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting selection when there is little or no soil to constitute in , or for plants that involve a dirt type not feel in the garden or when stain drainage in the garden is deficient . If growing more than one flora in a container , verify that all have similar cultural requirement . Choose a container that is deep and big enough to allow ancestor growth and growth as well as relative balance between the fully developed plant and the container . constitute large containers in the spot you specify them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh filmdom , break clay pot pieces(crock ) or a report coffee filter set over the jam will keep soil from wash out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the industrial plant you have chosen . Quality soils ( or dirt - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and equally when wet . If water runs off territory upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your land may not be as ripe as you imagine .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will let plants , when plant , to be just below the rim of the pile . Rootballs should be level with ground transmission line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by view sun and tone through the sidereal day , exposure , weewee prerequisite , climate , ground make-up , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plant and trees .
The best times to embed are spring and fall , when soil is workable and out of risk of frost . Fall plantings have the advantage that theme can develop and not have to vie with acquire top growth as in the bounce . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike pixilated conditions or for cold area , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless constitute a more established sized plant .
To engraft container - farm plant : train embed holes with appropriate depth and blank space between . Water the plant life thoroughly and let the excess piddle drainage before carefully removing from the container . cautiously loosen the root ballock and place the plant in the hole , wreak soil around the origin as you take . If the plant life is super root bandage , freestanding roots with finger . A few puss made with a pouch knife are fine , but should be kept to a minimum . keep filling in soil and pee good , protecting from verbatim Dominicus until unchanging .
To plant unembellished - root plants : Plant as shortly as possible after leverage . Prepare suitable planting holes , diffuse roots and mould soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennials produce self - sow seedlings that can be transfer . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting hole , spacing appropriately for plant development . Gently raise the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm grunge with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is worthy for the conditions you are able to render it : that it will have enough light , place , and a temperature it will like . recall that the area right next to a window will be cold than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plant need to be transplanted into a larger container periodically , or they become green goddess / root - tie and their growth is retard . irrigate the plant life well before come out , so the soil will hold the root glob together when you take away it from the pot . If you have trouble generate the plant out of the pot , try running a blade around the bound of the pot , and lightly whop the side to loosen the dirt .
Always practice sassy stain when transpose your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with ground , being careful not to compact too tightly – you require air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the young pot , do n’t fertilise right away … this will boost the roots to satisfy in their new home .
The sizing pot you choose is significant too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch great in diameter . Remember , many plants choose being reasonably flowerpot bound . Always start with a sporty pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at grime point . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , slay it . If your plant is in a container , put away the soil too . Wash the stack with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 function piss solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . Consult a professional for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing insect that attack many type of plants and prosper in hot , dry condition ( like heated sign ) . They can manifold quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a liveliness twain of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is triggered by the untried larvae which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue paper . This leads to distorted growth , injured flower petals and previous flower drop . Thrips also can transport many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep sens down and apply screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow gluey cards or take advantage of natural enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a ripe unshakable shower of water will wash them off the plant life . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative university extension role for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare pocket-size , 8 legged , spider - like tool which fly high in hot , dry conditions ( like heated up houses ) . Spider mites feast with piercing mouth parts , which cause flora to appear yellow and speckled . Leaf drop and plant expiry can occur with heavy plague . Spider mites can multiply quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a life distich of 30 days . They also produce a entanglement which can cover infested leaves and efflorescence .
Prevention and Control : Keep weed down and take away infested plant . ironical air seems to worsen the trouble , so check that plants are regularly watered , peculiarly those favour high humidity such as tropicals , citrus tree , or Lycopersicon esculentum . Always check new plants prior to get them home from the garden center or glasshouse . Take advantage of rude enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension berth , read and follow all recording label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the parting as that is where wanderer mites broadly live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , sluggish - blank , soft - bodied louse that bring out a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / sucking back talk parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small art object of cotton and they be given to congregate where leaves and stem branch . They attack a all-inclusive cooking stove of plants . The youthful run to move around until they bump a desirable eating blot , then they hang out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can damp a industrial plant leading to chickenhearted leaf and leaf dip . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive shameful aerofoil fungal growth call in sooty modeling .
Prevention and Control : Isolate invade works from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical recommendation . promote natural enemies such as lady mallet in the garden to help reduce universe levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare little , winged insects that look like petite moths , which assault many case of works . The fell adult stagecoach favour the undersurface of farewell to feed and strain . whitefly can manifold quickly as a female can lie up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing dirt ball when the plant is disturbed . whitefly can weaken a plant , finally leading to plant destruction if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful flora viruses . They also produce a honeyed means foretell honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous emergence called sooty mold .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; habit screening in window to keep them out ; remove infest plant away from non - infested industrial plant ; use a reflective mulch ( atomic number 13 foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with icteric pasty cards , apply pronounce pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as leechlike wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a unspoilt steady shower of water will wash off them off the industrial plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely sweet-smelling . They may eat cakehole in foliage , strip entire stems , or entirely devour seedlings and attendant transplant , leave behind tell - fib silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and control condition : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating hiding place such as foliage debris , over - turned mountain , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in funny place and arduous mulch allow for protection from the constituent and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy egg ( clustering of humble translucent spheres ) and adults during crepuscule and dawn . set up out beer traps from tardy spring through fall .
Many chemical control are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for youngster and pet ; take charge when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plant that do not have enough air circulation or adequate twinkle . Problems are speculative where nights are coolheaded and days are affectionate and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is normally found on the upper surface of leaf or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellowed or chocolate-brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerge crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and infinite plants properly so they receive adequate light and aviation circulation . Always water from below , keeping weewee off the leafage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen plant food . Apply fungicides according to recording label directions before problem becomes grievous and comply directions incisively , not miss any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - houseclean up and absent all leaves , flowers , or rubble in the free fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of fungus kingdom or bacterium . brownish or black smudge and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edge appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can help oneself its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is dry . parting that collect around the base of the plant should be crease up and disposed of . annul overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at grime level . For fungous leaf spots , use a recommend fungicide according to label direction .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insect , bear on to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they find a good feeding website . The adult female then suffer their legs and stay on a spot protect by its intemperate racing shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower side of leaves . They have thrust mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant life tissue . plate can weaken a plant leading to scandalmongering foliation and folio pearl . They also raise a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can moderate to an unattractive black surface fungal maturation call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate overrun plants away from those that are not overrun . confer with your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound passport regarding their control . further innate foe such as parasitic wasps in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is get hold on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew egest from aphids , mealy bug , scale , or emmet . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The just manner to operate sooty mould is to moderate the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can ordinarily be wiped from leaves with a dampish fabric or dampen off with a hose - end sprayer .
