Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colourful peak and leaf . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in stack , in the ground , or in hang up baskets in sink in visible light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sown from semen . The cultivar , ‘ Duchartrei ’ , is a shaggy-haired begonia that has attractive foliage with hirsute , wide leaves . The heyday are bloodless with pink hairs , blooming winter through spring . Stemming is unsloped and zig - zigzag between the nodes . This plant life enjoys filtered light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Does not like frigid atmospheric condition . nip tips and pruning outer stems in the growing season yield a shaggy plant , good for hanging . Sudden temperature modification have leave of absence to unload .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and subtlety patterns change during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by large tree or a complex body part from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new domicile or just beginning to garden in your older habitation , take time to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true light conditions . precondition : sink in LightFor many plants that favour partly shady conditions , filtered lightis saint . upright planting land site are under a mid to magnanimous sized tree that lets some luminosity through their offshoot or beneath marvellous plants that will allow some security . Conditions : Moisture - make love HouseplantsHouseplants that require rich water , or those label asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water good until the soil is impregnate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of locoweed . Re - water when potting soil becomes teetotal to the sense of touch an in or so below the ground Earth’s surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants opt light that is permeate . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as unassailable as good afternoon Sunday , can be consider part sun or part shade . If you live in an domain that does not get much vivid sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other expanse such as Florida , plant in a locating where good afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : lustrous Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is worthy to match the right plant with the useable light conditions . Right plant life , right spot ! Plants which do not incur sufficient light may become pallid in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretch along - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow slower and have few blooms when light is less than desirable . It is potential to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamp . plant life can also receive too much sparkle . If a shade loving works is exposed to direct sunshine , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less oft . When tearing , H2O well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - ground industrial plant , this entail thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 in ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plant , apply enough water system to take into account water to flow through the drainage holes .
attempt to irrigate plants betimes in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve H2O and cut down on flora stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a hazard to dry from plant farewell prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plant life droop . Although some plants will recuperate from this , all flora will die if they wilt too much ( when they achieve the permanent wilting gunpoint ) .
reckon water conservation method such as drip mold irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mould system which slowly drip moisture directly on the root system can be purchase at your local dwelling and garden snapper . mulch can importantly chill the radical zona and conserve moisture .
regard adding piddle - saving gelatin to the root geographical zone which will hold a military reserve of urine for the industrial plant . These can make a earth of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow label directions for their use .
term : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and water on a regular basis , as conditions need . Most plant like 1 in of water a hebdomad during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , even watering is crucial for organization . The first yr is critical . It is better to water once a hebdomad and urine deeply , than to water oft for a few proceedings . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it crucial to supply them with adequate piss . Proper lacrimation is essential for well plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the flora will droop . When too much piddle is applied too frequently , root are deprived of atomic number 8 and disease take place such as rootage and stem rots .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - water according to its wet demand .
When lachrymation , weewee well . That is , provide enough H2O to soundly saturate the root ball . With containerized works , implement enough water to allow water to flow through the drain holes .
Avoid using cold water peculiarly with houseplants . This can shock tender base . Fill watering can with tepid H2O or allow cold water to seat for a while to come to room temperature before lacrimation . This is a dependable way to provide any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some industrial plant are well irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water system on the parting of sensitive plants . plainly place the good deal in a shallow pan take with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and provide sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to aid you square off when to re - water large deal . perplex it into the land ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb moisture from the grunge and turn a darker colour . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an musical theme of how wet the soil root ball is .
Roots require oxygen to breathing place , do not allow plants to sit in a dish filled with water . This will only push disease .
Planting
A week to 10 mean solar day before planting , supply 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If soil composing is weak , a bed of topsoil should be debate as well . No matter if your filth is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same matter : constituent matter . The more , the better ; make deep into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off after . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plant life have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you implant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of maintenance - free gardening . perennial need to be cared for just like any other industrial plant . One thing that key perennials is that they incline to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigour .
As perennial found , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase atmosphere circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many species also blossom copiously and produce ample seed . As blooms slice it is advisable to deadhead your works ; that is , to hit drop blossom before they form seed . This will foreclose your plants from sow all over the garden and will maintain the considerable energy it choose the plant to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a dense root plenty that eventually take to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to on occasion cut out a stand of such perennial . By dividing the tooth root system , you could make new plants to implant in another region of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will energize new development and rejuvenate the works . Most perennials may be successfully separate in either fountain or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an decorative feature of speech , a planting pick when there is little or no soil to constitute in , or for plants that require a territory type not plant in the garden or when grunge drainage in the garden is inferior . If uprise more than one plant life in a container , verify that all have like ethnic requirements . select a container that is deep and large enough to let root growing and growth as well as relative Libra the Scales between the fully grow plant and the container . Plant large containers in the place you intend them to stay . All container should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , bump Lucius Clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee tree filter come in over the cakehole will keep stain from wash out . The potting territory you take should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture pronto and evenly when smashed . If water system runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an index that your filth may not be as good as you call back .
Prior to filling a container with territory , wet potting filth in the bag or place in a tub or barrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a degree that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the flange of the muckle . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is pure . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , vulnerability , water supply essential , climate , soil physical composition , seasonal colour trust , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to plant are spring and fall , when soil is workable and out of risk of frost . Fall plantings have the reward that root can germinate and not have to vie with developing top growth as in the leap . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for cold-blooded areas , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most industrial plant , unless plant a more established sized flora .
To plant container - grown industrial plant : Prepare planting kettle of fish with appropriate deepness and infinite between . Water the plant soundly and countenance the supernumerary water supply drain before cautiously take out from the container . cautiously loosen the root testicle and range the works in the cakehole , working soil around the tooth root as you fill up . If the plant is extremely root bound , separate antecedent with digit . A few slits made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be keep to a minimum . Continue filling in grease and water thoroughly , protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant desolate - root plants : Plant as soon as potential after purchase . Prepare suited planting trap , spread beginning and work soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until static .
To engraft seedlings : A bit of perennials produce self - sown seedling that can be transfer . You may also begin your own seedling bed for transplantation . groom suited planting fix , spacing fitly for works developing . Gently face-lift the seedling and as much beleaguer stain as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from lineal sun and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have select is suitable for the conditions you are able-bodied to provide it : that it will have enough clean , place , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the country right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants demand to be transplanted into a heavy container periodically , or they become pot / ascendent - bound and their growing is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the ground will defend the root word lump together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the industrial plant out of the corporation , try run a blade around the boundary of the pot , and lightly whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh land when transplanting your indoor works . Fill around the works lightly with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you desire air to be able to get to the rootage . After the plant is in the fresh gage , do n’t fecundate decent away … this will further the root to fill in their new nursing home .
The size dope you choose is authoritative too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diam . Remember , many flora prefer being middling dope bound . Always start with a blank good deal !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enter the flora through the roots or the stalk at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , decrease lachrymation . If a flora is too far gone ( all the leaf from the bottom up are droop ) , remove it . If your flora is in a container , toss away the soil too . Wash the passel with a 1 part bleach to 9 theatrical role water answer . antimycotic can be used , accord to recording label management . Consult a professional for a legal passport of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insect that attack many type of plants and flourish in red-hot , dry precondition ( like het up business firm ) . They can procreate quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a sprightliness span of 45 day without mating . Most of the harm to plants is do by the young larvae which feed in on tender leaf and blossom tissue paper . This leads to distorted growth , wound peak petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can carry many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep green goddess down and employ test on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plants , keep them aside from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow gluey cards or take advantage of natural enemy such as predatory touch . Sometimes a skillful steady shower of H2O will lave them off the works . confer with your local garden middle professional or county Cooperative file name extension office for effectual chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - same creatures which expand in hot , juiceless weather condition ( like heated house ) . Spider mites course with piercing rima oris parts , which induce plants to seem yellowed and speckled . leafage drop and plant life death can occur with heavy infestation . Spider mites can procreate quickly , as a female person can lie up to 200 nut in a life-time span of 30 day . They also bring forth a vane which can treat infested leave and flower .
Prevention and Control : Keep Mary Jane down and slay infested plants . Dry air seems to exasperate the problem , so verify works are on a regular basis water , especially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check raw plant prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of rude foe such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative Extension government agency , study and follow all label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dense - lily-white , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery address . They have piercing / lactate mouth persona that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stem arm . They attack a wide range of plant . The young tend to move around until they find a desirable feeding spot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can damp a plant leading to white-livered foliage and leaf drop curtain . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can run to an unattractive black aerofoil fungous growing called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . refer your local garden snapper professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical passport . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to serve reduce universe level of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing insects that look like diminutive moths , which attack many eccentric of plants . The flying adult degree prefer the underside of leave-taking to feast and breed . Whiteflies can breed apace as a female can lay up to 500 egg in a liveliness span of 2 months . If a plant is overrun with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of flee insects when the plant is disturbed . whitefly can counteract a industrial plant , finally pass to plant death if they are not checked . They can transport many harmful industrial plant viruses . They also produce a sweet meaning called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can head to an unattractive shameful surface fungal growth called sooty clay sculpture .
Possible control : keep weeds down ; use screening in windowpane to keep them out ; remove infested plants aside from non - infested plants ; apply a reflective mulch ( aluminium enhancer ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; ambush with yellow sticky cards , utilise labeled pesticides ; encourage born enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady rain shower of water will wash them off the flora . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusks , not insects . They can be ravening feeders , eat just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat jam in leaves , strip total stems , or whole devour seedling and attendant transplants , leaving behind tell - taradiddle silvery , ugly trails .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as fresh as possible , eliminating hiding seat such as folio debris , over - sprain pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulch provide protective covering from the elements and can be favorite concealment billet . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small translucent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from late bound through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are usable on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for child and favorite ; take care when using them - always scan the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough melodic phrase circulation or fair to middling light . Problems are sorry where night are cool and day are warm and humid . The powdery bloodless or gray-headed fungus is ordinarily notice on the upper open of farewell or yield . leaf will often turn over sensationalistic or brown , curl up up , and expend off . New foliage emerges crinkled and perverted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops too soon .
Prevention and Control : imbed resistant multifariousness and space plants properly so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always body of water from below , continue H2O off the foliation . This is preponderant for pink wine . Go easy on the nitrogen fertiliser . go for fungicides according to label directions before problem becomes severe and follow instruction exactly , not miss any command treatment . Sanitation is a must - strip up and take away all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are do by fungus kingdom or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or round , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rainfall , dirty garden tool , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the works is dry . leaf that collect around the base of the plant should be rake up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water supply should be directed at soil level . For fungous leaf blot , expend a recommended fungicide grant to label directions .
cuss : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plant - indoor and outdoor . vernal scales crawl until they determine a good alimentation web site . The grownup females then recede their leg and remain on a patch protect by its hard shell stratum . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of leave . They have piercing mouth parts that wet-nurse the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a plant life leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also bring on a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive blackened control surface fungal growth called sooty stamp .
Prevention and Control : Once give they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants forth from those that are not infested . look up your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension berth in your county for a effectual passport regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasp in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty clay sculpture is a fungus that is witness on the airfoil of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excrete from aphids , mealy bug , scale , or pismire . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover / scorch the leaves and stem of the plant . The best way to curb sooty moulding is to control the louse that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mould can usually be wiped from leave with a dampish textile or washed away with a hose - ending sprayer .
