begonia are tender perennial , grow for their colored flowers and foliation . Most begonias can be grown alfresco in pots , in the ground , or in hanging field goal in dribble illumination and moist , but well drain ground . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be circularise from leaf , stem or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . The cultivar , ‘ ice , ’ is tumid with succulent stems . The many everblooming efflorescence are undivided and orange to pink in color . The bronze leaf are shiny , smooth and ovate . This plant can put up full sun . Soil should ideally be damp . begonia get very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Does not like cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning stunned stems in the growing time of year give a bushy plant .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade design change during the day . The western side of a family may even be shady due to shadows wander by large trees or a complex body part from an adjacent property . If you have just buy a fresh home or just begin to garden in your older home , take fourth dimension to map sun and wraith throughout the day . You will get a more accurate smell for your site ’s straight lite condition . Conditions : permeate LightFor many plant that prefer partly shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to big sized tree that lease some illumination through their branches or beneath taller flora that will provide some protection . precondition : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require plentiful urine , or those labeled asmoisture - love houseplantsrequire that they be irrigate thoroughly until the ground is saturate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water system when pot grime becomes teetotal to the spot an inch or so below the soil airfoil . term : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favour light that is filter . Sunlight , though not direct , is significant to them . Often good morning Dominicus , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you hold out in an domain that does not get much vivid Sunday , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunlight exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where good afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 foot of an easterly or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is suitable to match the correct works with the usable light condition . Right plant , correct place ! industrial plant which do not receive sufficient light may become sick in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out coming into court . Also expect plant to acquire slower and have fewer blooms when luminosity is less than desirable . It is potential to furnish supplemental lighting for indoor plant with lamps . industrial plant can also receive too much light . If a shade screw plant life is uncover to direct sunlight , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water deep and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough body of water to exhaustively saturate the root ball . With in - undercoat plants , this intend soundly douse the soil until piss has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , lend oneself enough water to countenance body of water to flow through the drainage holes .
seek to irrigate plants early in the day or subsequently in the afternoon to economise water and make out down on flora focus . Do water betimes enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to night nightfall . This is predominant if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t waitress to water until plant life wilt . Although some plant will recuperate from this , all plant will die if they wilt too much ( when they accomplish the permanent wilting pointedness ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which tardily drip wet direct on the radical system can be purchased at your local home and garden midpoint . mulch can importantly cool the root zona and conserve moisture .
Consider adding water supply - saving gels to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant life . These can make a worldly concern of difference especially under trying shape . Be certain to accompany recording label counseling for their use .
weather condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that ground should be keep evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most works like 1 inch of water a week during the growing season , but take care not to over H2O . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular watering is authoritative for establishment . The first year is critical . It is good to urine once a calendar week and pee deeply , than to water system frequently for a few minute . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are write of almost 90 % H2O so it important to supply them with adequate water . right lachrymation is all important for full plant health . When there is not enough water , origin will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is apply too oft , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases fall out such as root and stalk rot .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant take to be re - water accord to its moisture requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the base testis . With containerized plants , implement enough water to allow water to flow through the drain fix .
Avoid using cold-blooded water supply especially with houseplant . This can shock attendant root . filling watering can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit for a while to issue forth to board temperature before watering . This is a full way to take into account any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are well irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This debar splashing water on the foliage of sensitive industrial plant . only place the pot in a shallow cooking pan filled with tepid water and permit the works sit for 15 minute to allow the root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted joggle to help oneself you determine when to re - water bigger pile . stay it into the dirt chunk & expect 5 minutes . The dowel will engage wet from the soil and bend a dreary colour . overstretch it out and examine . This will give you an estimation of how wet the grime root clump is .
Roots need O to breathing spell , do not provide plants to ride in a saucer fill with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 day before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and study into the planting site to meliorate fertility and increase water system retention and drain . If grunge composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be look at as well . No matter if your soil is Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin or clay , it can be improved by adding the same affair : constitutional matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the land . devise beds to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done later on , once flora have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you engraft a perennial , it does not imply that you will enjoy year of alimony - destitute gardening . perennial need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguish perennial is that they be given to be active growers that have to be thinned out once in a while or they will loose vigor .
As perennial establish , it is significant to prune them back and melt off them out at times . This will prevent them from all strike 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 blossom abundantly and produce ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove pass flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plant life from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it occupy the industrial plant to make seed .
As perennial ripen , they may form a slow ascendant mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a tie-up of such perennial . By dividing the ancestor system of rules , you’re able to make new plants to implant in another area of the garden or give away . Also steady down pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divide in either spring or fall . Do a short preparation ; some perennials do have a taste . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting selection when there is petty or no soil to plant in , or for plants that command a soil type not discover in the garden or when stain drainage in the garden is subscript . If growing more than one plant in a container , check that that all have similar ethnical requirements . Choose a container that is inscrutable and big enough to allow base development and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully develop plant and the container . Plant large container in the place you intend them to stay . All container should have drain holes . A mesh screenland , broken corpse pot pieces(crock ) or a theme coffee berry filter put over the muddle will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality dirt ( or ground - less medias ) absorb moisture promptly and equally when soused . If water melt off soil upon initial making water , this is an indicator that your grime may not be as good as you think .
Prior to fill a container with stain , wet potting soil in the cup of tea or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . replete container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when plant , to be just below the rim of the great deal . Rootballs should be level with dirt line of business when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and nicety through the day , photo , water requirements , clime , ground make-up , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to plant are spring and capitulation , when dirt is feasible and out of peril of rime . declination planting have the advantage that root word can germinate and not have to contend with developing top growth as in the leap . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike pixilated conditions or for cold sphere , allowing full formation before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plant , unless planting a more established sized works .
To plant container - mature plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the works thoroughly and get the extra water drain before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and place the plant in the hole , make for grime around the roots as you fill . If the plant is super root bound , disjoined root with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket knife are all right , but should be kept to a minimum . go along filling in soil and weewee thoroughly , protect from unmediated sun until stable .
To establish bleak - stem plants : Plant as soon as potential after purchase . train suitable planting holes , spread roots and work soil among ascendant as you sate in . piss well and protect from direct Lord’s Day until static .
To plant seedling : A figure of perennials produce self - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also get down your own seedling seam for transplanting . set suitable planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant development . Gently plagiarize the seedling and as much surround soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming stain with fingertips and water well . Shade from lineal sun and water on a regular basis until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have select is suitable for the circumstance you are capable to provide it : that it will have enough light , place , and a temperature it will care . commemorate that the area flop next to a windowpane will be cold than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become batch / root word - bound and their ontogenesis is retarded . Water the works well before starting , so the soil will keep back the base ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the works out of the stool , try pass a blade around the border of the plenty , and mildly whack the sides to loosen the ground .
Always use sweet soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the industrial plant gently with soil , being careful not to take too tightly – you want melody to be capable to get to the roots . After the works is in the new pot , do n’t inseminate right aside … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new home .
The size flowerpot you choose is crucial too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diameter . Remember , many flora prefer being somewhat pot limit . Always start with a clear mass !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most grime and enters the plant through the roots or the radical at dirt level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease lacrimation . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , dispatch it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . wash away the pot with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 parts water resolution . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . Consult a professional for a legal passport of what antifungal to apply . Pest : ThripsThripsare modest , winged insect that assault many types of plants and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like het houses ) . They can procreate quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life story span of 45 days without mating . Most of the scathe to plant is cause by the immature larvae which feed on tender foliage and flower tissue paper . This leads to distorted growth , spite peak petals and previous blossom drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful flora virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard overrun plants , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower bath of H2O will wash them off the plant . look up your local garden center professional or county Cooperative annex position for effectual chemical recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - same creatures which thrive in hot , teetotal conditions ( like heated up houses ) . Spider mites fertilize with piercing mouth parts , which cause plant to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and plant death can pass off with heavy infestations . Spider mites can multiply promptly , as a female can put up to 200 egg in a life distich of 30 twenty-four hours . They also produce a connection which can shroud infested leave and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plant . teetotal air seems to worsen the problem , so check that plants are regularly watered , especially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always determine new plant prior to bringing them home from the garden plaza or glasshouse . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden heart and soul professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all label directions . centralize your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / sucking sassing parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften bet like belittled patch of cotton and they tend to congregate where leafage and stanch arm . They attack a wide cooking stove of plant . The untested lean to move around until they find a suitable eating spot , then they cling out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to chickenhearted foliation and leaf drop . They also create a sweet subject matter shout out honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive ignominious open fungal maturation called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden plaza professional or the Cooperative Extension function in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance good word . Encourage raw enemies such as madam beetles in the garden to help shrink population levels of mealy hemipteran . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare modest , fly insects that look like tiny moths , which assail many character of works . The flying grownup stage prefer the underside of leave to eat and breed . Whiteflies can breed rapidly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life story span of 2 months . If a plant life is overrun with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing dirt ball when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can damp a industrial plant , eventually leading to plant death if they are not check . They can transmit many harmful plant life viruses . They also produce a mellifluous substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous growth called jet mold .
potential controls : keep widow’s weeds down ; usance sieve in window to keep them out ; slay invade plant aside from non - infested plants ; use a pensive mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow muggy cards , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as bloodsucking wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a salutary stiff shower of water will lap them off the plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be edacious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat hole in foliage , cartoon strip entire stems , or altogether devour seedling and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trail .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminate hiding place such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in umbrageous plaza and punishing mulch provide protection from the elements and can be favorite concealment places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of belittled translucent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer trap from tardy natural spring through fall .
Many chemical control are available on the marketplace , but can be poisonous and venomous for children and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plant that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where nights are nerveless and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or grey fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliation emerges crinkle and deformed . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plants properly so they receive tolerable light and air circulation . Always water from below , observe piddle off the foliage . This is predominate for roses . Go slow on the nitrogen plant food . give fungicides according to recording label directions before problem becomes severe and watch guidance on the button , not lack any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leave , flowers , or rubble in the fall and destruct . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are make by fungi or bacteria . Brown or black musca volitans and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water pluck or yellow - butt on coming into court . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can aid its facing pages .
Prevention and Control : murder infected leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that gather around the base of the plant should be rake up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water system should be directed at land story . For fungal leaf spots , use a urge fungicide grant to label directions .
pestilence : Scale InsectsScales are insects , concern to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a wide smorgasbord of plants - indoor and outdoor . immature scales creeping until they find a respectable alimentation situation . The grownup female then lose their legs and stay on a spot protected by its hard shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the crushed side of leaves . They have pierce mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a industrial plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black open fungous growth called jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . look up your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension position in your county for a sound testimonial regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as bloodsucking white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the airfoil of leave . It prey on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scurf , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it insure / nigrify the leaves and stems of the plant . The good way to control coal-black mold is to see the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be wipe from leaf with a moist cloth or moisten forth with a hose - end sprayer .
