begonia are tender perennials , grown for their colorful bloom and foliation . Most begonias can be grown outside in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as yearly or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagated from folio , stem or rhizome cutting in addition to being sown from source . Begonia dietrichiana is a shaggy-coated plant that has attractive leafage with small , bare leaves . The many peak are white , blooming fall through winter . Stemming is upright and zig - zag between the node . This plant enjoy filtered light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias mature very well in peat - based compost also . like humidity . Does not care frigid weather . Pinching tips and pruning knocked out stems in the growing time of year leave a bushier industrial plant , good for hanging . Sudden temperature alteration causes leaves to drop .
Google Plant Images : click here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will remark that sun and wraith normal transfer during the day . The westerly side of a planetary house may even be shadowed due to shadows chuck by expectant tree or a complex body part from an side by side property . If you have just purchase a new base or just beginning to garden in your erstwhile home , take time to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your internet site ’s honest light conditions . Conditions : strain LightFor many plants that prefer partly shady conditions , filtered lightis paragon . Good planting sites are under a mid to prominent sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some light through their branch or beneath tall works that will provide some protection . Conditions : wet - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those judge asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered good until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from hollow in the bottom of weed . Re - water when potting grime becomes dry to the spot an inch or so below the grunge surface . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose light that is filter . Sunlight , though not direct , is crucial to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as unattackable as afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part shadiness . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Dominicus 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 order within 2 ft of an eastern or westerly exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best works carrying into action , it is worthy to fit the right plant with the available light conditions . proper flora , right piazza ! flora which do not receive sufficient illumination may become sick in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow slower and have fewer efflorescence when luminosity is less than worthy . It is potential to ply supplemental ignition for indoor plant with lamp . Plants can also receive too much light . If a tint loving plant is exposed to unmediated sun , it may wilt and/or cause leave to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The Francis Scott Key to watering is urine profoundly and less oft . When watering , water supply well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - ground plant , this means good soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , use enough water to provide water to flow through the drainage kettle of fish .
seek to water plants betimes in the solar day or by and by in the good afternoon to economise body of water and cut down on plant life tenseness . Do water early enough so that body of water has had a luck to dry from industrial plant leaves prior to night capitulation . This is predominant if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t await to piss until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all works will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider H2O preservation method such as trickle irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . trickle systems which slowly drop moisture straight on the root system can be purchase at your local place and garden center . mulch can significantly cool the stem zona and conserve moisture .
look at adding water - saving gelatin to the antecedent zona which will hold a second-stringer of water for the plant . These can make a worldly concern of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to postdate label directions for their habit .
weather : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be celebrate evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions involve . Most plants like 1 in of water a week during the growing season , but take care not to over piss . The first two years after a plant life is instal , regular lacrimation is important for ecesis . The first twelvemonth is critical . It is good to water once a workweek and water deeply , than to water ofttimes for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate water system . right watering is essential for expert industrial plant wellness . When there is not enough H2O , roots will wither and the plant will droop . When too much water is applied too frequently , roots are deprived of atomic number 8 and diseases pass such as base and stalk rots .
The key to tearing is frequency . water supply well then wait long enough until the plant life needs to be re - watered according to its wet requirements .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough urine to thoroughly saturate the ascendant ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water system to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
void using cold water particularly with houseplants . This can shock tender ascendant . filling lacrimation can with tepid water or allow frigid water supply to sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to disappear before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by Cuban sandwich - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of raw plants . Simply place the pot in a shallow genus Pan filled with tepid water and get the flora sit down for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be thoroughly crocked . Take out and admit sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to avail you define when to re - water larger pots . adhere it into the soil formal & waitress 5 minutes . The dowel will take up wet from the soil and turn a non-white color . Pull it out and essay . This will give you an idea of how stiff the territory ascendant formal is .
ancestor need O to breath , do not leave plants to baby-sit in a discus fill with water system . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 daylight before planting , add 2 to 4 in of elderly manure or compost and workplace into the planting site to ameliorate natality and increase water retention and drainage . If grease composition is feeble , a level of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or the Great Compromiser , it can be ameliorate by add the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the dirt . fix beds to an 18 column inch mysterious for perennials . This will seem like a grand amount of oeuvre now , but will greatly pay off afterwards . Besides , this is not something that is easily done subsequently , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of maintenance - destitute gardening . perennial call for to be cared for just like any other flora . One matter that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be alive growers that have to be thin out occasionally or they will loosen vim .
As perennials establish , it is significant to rationalize them back and thin out them out on occasion . This will prevent them from completely have over an arena to the expulsion of other plants , and also will increase line circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many mintage also blossom abundantly and produce ample source . As blooms slice it is advisable to deadhead your works ; that is , to polish off spend flower before they form seed . This will prevent your plants from seed all over the garden and will economise the considerable energy it takes the plant to produce come .
As perennial mature , they may form a heavy root hatful that eventually leads to a less vigorous flora . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a base of such perennial . By dividing the root scheme , you could make novel industrial plant to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate novel maturation and rejuvenate the works . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or crepuscule . Do a little prep ; some perennials do have a predilection . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental characteristic , a planting option when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plant life that require a grime type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is subscript . If growing more than one plant in a container , make trusted that all have similar ethnic necessary . prefer a container that is deep and large enough to leave root development and growth as well as proportional remainder between the full developed plant and the container . Plant large containers in the space you intend them to stay . All container should have drainage holes . A mesh screen door , split corpse raft pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee tree filter placed over the hole will keep dirt from lave out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or grime - less medias ) engulf wet readily and evenly when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your land may not be as dear as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the cup of tea or place in a tub or lawn cart so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a story that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the lip of the pot . Rootballs should be level with ground line when task is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sunshine and tincture through the solar day , exposure , water requirements , mood , soil make-up , seasonal color desired , and side of other garden plants and trees .
The best time to plant are spring and fall , when soil is viable and out of danger of hoar . Fall plantings have the advantage that etymon can germinate and not have to compete with develop top maturation as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike squiffy conditions or for colder area , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most industrial plant , unless planting a more established sized flora .
To plant container - produce flora : cook plant holes with appropriate astuteness and space between . irrigate the plant soundly and let the extra water drainage before carefully polish off from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and place the plant in the maw , work soil around the roots as you fill up . If the plant is exceedingly ascendent bound , separate theme with digit . A few slits made with a air pocket tongue are okay , but should be save to a lower limit . Continue filling in soil and water exhaustively , protect from verbatim sun until stable .
To engraft scanty - root plants : Plant as shortly as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting holes , distribute roots and exercise soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from unmediated sun until unchanging .
To plant seedlings : A figure of perennial produce self - sow seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also originate your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare worthy planting holes , spacing befittingly for plant development . Gently reverse the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm dirt with fingertips and water system well . Shade from direct sunlight and piddle regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake indisputable that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the condition you are able to supply it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will care . Remember that the arena flop next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest period of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transfer into a larger container sporadically , or they become batch / stem - bound and their outgrowth is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the base ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the industrial plant out of the pot , adjudicate running a blade around the edge of the dope , and lightly whacking the side to tease apart the land .
Always use tonic ground when transplanting your indoor plant . occupy around the industrial plant gently with ground , being careful not to pack too tightly – you need air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new hatful , do n’t fecundate right away … this will promote the roots to fill in their novel home .
The sizing skunk you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in bully in diameter . Remember , many plant opt being somewhat flowerpot bound . Always pop out with a fresh pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enter the industrial plant through the roots or the stem at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen watering . If a plant is too far move ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , take away it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 part water solution . fungicide can be used , according to label directions . Consult a professional person for a effectual recommendation of what fungicide to employ . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , fly insects that attack many types of plant life and thrive in hot , juiceless conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can manifold chop-chop as a female can set up to 300 eggs in a life story couplet of 45 day without mating . Most of the damage to industrial plant is triggered by the young larvae which feed on tender leaf and efflorescence tissue paper . This leads to misrepresented increment , injured flower flower petal and premature prime drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful works viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use sort on windows to keep them out . polish off or discard infest plants , keep them off from non - infested works . Trap with yellow sticky card or take vantage of instinctive enemies such as predatory pinch . Sometimes a good regular exhibitioner of urine will lave them off the works . Consult your local garden center professional or county concerted extension office for legal chemic recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in hot , teetotal circumstance ( like heated house ) . Spider mites prey with pierce mouth parts , which cause plants to seem yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and industrial plant death can occur with heavy infestations . wanderer soupcon can multiply apace , as a female person can lie up to 200 eggs in a life history duad of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep dope down and move out infested plants . ironical air seems to decline the job , so check that plants are regularly watered , especially those preferring gamey humidness such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or Lycopersicon esculentum . Always find out new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or baby’s room . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is urge by your local garden essence professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and survey all recording label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the foliage as that is where wanderer mite generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , leaden - lily-white , balmy - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery encompass . They have piercing / suckle mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like lowly pieces of cotton plant and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a all-encompassing range of plants . The immature tend to move around until they find a suitable eating smudge , then they hang out in colonies and feed . mealy bug can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf free fall . They also get a sweet substance scream honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical testimonial . Encourage lifelike enemy such as gentlewoman mallet in the garden to help reduce universe levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly insects that appear like tiny moths , which attack many type of plants . The wing adult point prefers the underside of leaf to bung and breed . whitefly can multiply quick as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life bridge of 2 month . If a industrial plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing dirt ball when the plant is disturbed . whitefly can de-escalate a flora , eventually leading to constitute death if they are not check over . They can transmit many harmful industrial plant computer virus . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black-market surface fungous growth called sooty mold .
Possible control : keep weeds down ; use screen in window to keep them out ; remove infested works away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum enhancer ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellowed glutinous cards , practice labeled pesticide ; encourage natural opposition such as leechlike wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a in effect steady shower of water will wash them off the flora . Pest : clout and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood and are shellfish , not insect . They can be voracious feeders , run through just about anything that is not woody or extremely sweet-scented . They may eat up mess in leaves , striptease entire stem , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplantation , leave behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating hiding places such as leaf debris , over - sprain sess , and tarps . Groundcover in shady place and impenetrable mulch provide tribute from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , police for and destruct eggs ( clump of small translucent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer cakehole from previous leap through fall .
Many chemical restraint are useable on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for tyke and pet ; take fear when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where nights are coolheaded and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or white-haired fungus is usually discover on the upper airfoil of leaves or fruit . folio will often bend yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off off . New foliage emerges crinkled and malformed . Fruit will be overshadow and often shed too soon .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and distance plants properly so they receive decent light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the leaf . This is preponderant for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertiliser . Apply antimycotic agent allot to recording label directions before trouble becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not miss any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and slay all leave , flowers , or junk in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of fungi or bacterium . Brown or black spots and patch may be either ragged or circular , with a body of water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rainfall , marked-up garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is ironic . leaf that gather around the base of the plant should be raked up and throw out of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water supply should be directed at soil level . For fungal folio spots , use a commend fungicide according to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insect , related to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a wide variety of plant - indoor and outside . immature scale Australian crawl until they feel a good feeding site . The adult females then misplace their legs and remain on a spot protected by its hard shell layer . They look as jut , often on the lower sides of leave of absence . They have pierce mouth component that suck the sap out of plant tissue . scale can sabotage a plant lead to sensationalistic foliage and folio drop . They also produce a sweet centre squall honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can result to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Once found they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden centre professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal testimonial regarding their dominance . Encourage natural enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden . kingdom Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is determine on the surface of leaves . It prey on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or pismire . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the farewell and staunch of the plant life . The best means to moderate pitchy mold is to curb the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp material or wash away with a hosepipe - last sprayer .
