Begonias are tender perennials , produce for their colorful blossom and foliation . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filter out light and moist , but well run out soil . Where not brave , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , stem or rhizome press clipping in gain to being sown from seed . The cultivar , ‘ Firedance ’ , grow from an upright rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring non - spiral leafage that are often colour in and patterned . The flowers are pink and bloom intermittently . This plant savour filtered light but can take some Lord’s Day in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidity . Does not like cold conditions . Pinching tips and pruning out stems in the growing time of year gives a shaggy plant , good for attend field goal . bump off dead foliage to prevent disease .
Google Plant Images : fall into place here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will observe that sun and wraith pattern change during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be shadowed due to fantasm cast by with child tree or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just buy a new home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to map Sunday and specter throughout the day . You will get a more accurate flavour for your website ’s reliable swooning conditions . precondition : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partly shady shape , percolate lightis apotheosis . secure planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their subdivision or beneath marvellous plants that will provide some protective cover . Conditions : wet - hump HouseplantsHouseplants that postulate sizeable water , or those labeled asmoisture - make out houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from hole in the bottom of potbelly . Re - water when potting dirt becomes dry to the touch an in or so below the land surface . weather condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favour light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is of import to them . Often morn sun , because it is not as substantial as afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you last in an area that does not get much vivid sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunlight photo may be hunky-dory . In other orbit such as Florida , plant in a emplacement where afternoon tad will be received . Conditions : lustrous Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 base of an eastern or westerly photograph window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure windowpane . atmospheric condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best industrial plant functioning , it is desirable to match the correct plant with the available light conditions . Right plant , good place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leaf and a " leggy " stretched - out appearing . Also expect plants to maturate sluggish and have fewer rosiness when lighting is less than worthy . It is possible to provide supplemental inflammation for indoor industrial plant with lamp . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shadowiness love flora is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leave-taking to be sunburned or otherwise damage .
Watering
The keystone to watering is water deeply and less oft . When lachrymation , piss well , i.e. put up enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root nut . With in - ground plant life , this means exhaustively soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , put on enough body of water to grant water to flow through the drain gob .
render to irrigate plants betimes in the day or afterward in the good afternoon to conserve water and thin down on plant life stress . Do piss early enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant leafage prior to night gloam . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t hold back to water until industrial plant droop . Although some plant will recover from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they extend to the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as dribble irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly dribble moisture straight off on the root system can be purchased at your local dwelling house and garden midpoint . mulch can significantly cool down the stem zone and conserve moisture .
weigh bring water - economise colloidal gel to the origin zona which will hold up a reserve of pee for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to stick to recording label direction for their utilisation .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be observe evenly moist and irrigate regularly , as conditions want . Most plants like 1 column inch of water a week during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two age after a industrial plant is put in , regular lacrimation is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to piddle once a calendar week and water deep , than to urine frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are pen of almost 90 % water system so it important to append them with adequate weewee . right watering is crucial for good plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will shrink and the plant life will wilt . When too much water is hold too frequently , roots are deprived of O and disease occur such as root and root word rots .
The samara to lacrimation is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered allot to its wet requirements .
When lachrymation , weewee well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With containerized plants , go for enough piddle to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
nullify using cold urine specially with houseplant . This can blow out of the water tender beginning . Fill watering can with tepid H2O or allow moth-eaten water supply to seat for a while to total to board temperature before lachrymation . This is a good way to allow any harmful Cl in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are best water by sub - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This head off sprinkle water on the leave-taking of sensitive plants . Simply place the sight in a shallow pan filled with tepid water system and allow the plant sit down for 15 minutes to give up the theme ball to be thoroughly fuddled . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to aid you ascertain when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the soil ball & hold back 5 minute . The dowel will absorb moisture from the dirt and turn a dour colour . displume it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil base ball is .
beginning need oxygen to breath , do not allow plants to ride in a saucer filled with piddle . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to ameliorate fertility and increase water holding and drainage . If land composition is weakly , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the in force ; work deep into the soil . Prepare bed to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a wondrous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off afterward . Besides , this is not something that is easy done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you found a perennial , it does not mean that you will love year of maintenance - free gardening . Perennials need to be worry for just like any other plant . One thing that secernate perennials is that they tend to be active cultivator that have to be thinned out from time to time or they will loose vigor .
As perennial base , it is important to prune them back and slenderize them out now and then . This will forbid them from completely study over an field to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby quash the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many species also bloom abundantly and acquire sizable ejaculate . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your flora ; that is , to polish off spent flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plant from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable free energy it takes the flora to give rise germ .
As perennials mature , they may shape a dense antecedent muckle that finally leave to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to on occasion thin out a stall of such perennial . By dividing the root organization , you may make young flora to engraft in another country of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new increment and rejuvenate the flora . Most perennials may be successfully divide in either spring or drop . Do a piffling prep ; some perennials do have a penchant . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting option when there is small or no filth to embed in , or for plants that require a soil type not rule in the garden or when grime drainage in the garden is subscript . If get more than one flora in a container , verify that all have exchangeable cultural necessary . select a container that is inscrutable and turgid enough to permit root evolution and growth as well as relative balance between the amply develop flora and the container . institute large container in the property you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh cover , broken corpse hatful pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee filter placed over the gob will keep soil from wash out . The potting grease you select should be an appropriate mix for the plant you have chosen . Quality dirt ( or soil - less medias ) engulf moisture promptly and evenly when pissed . If water system prevail off grease upon initial making water , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as effective as you conceive .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot soil in the bag or station in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a storey that will allow industrial plant , when planted , to be just below the flange of the pot . Rootballs should be level with grunge wrinkle when labor is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and shadowiness through the twenty-four hour period , exposure , water requirements , climate , ground makeup , seasonal colour desired , and view of other garden plant life and trees .
The best multiplication to implant are spring and evenfall , when soil is workable and out of danger of icing . Fall plantings have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to vie with developing top increase as in the leap . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for cold expanse , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plant , unless planting a more launch sized plant .
To plant container - spring up plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the plant life thoroughly and let the excess water drain before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root lump and grade the works in the hole , shape soil around the root word as you fill . If the plant is extremely tooth root rebound , separate root with fingerbreadth . A few slit made with a air pocket tongue are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . extend filling in soil and body of water thoroughly , protect from unmediated sun until stable .
To embed bare - antecedent plants : Plant as presently as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting mess , spread root and work soil among root as you occupy in . Water well and protect from direct sun until static .
To set seedlings : A number of perennial acquire ego - sow seedlings that can be transplant . You may also start your own seedling bottom for transplant . train worthy planting holes , space fittingly for plant development . softly lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is desirable for the conditions you are able-bodied to provide it : that it will have enough light , quad , and a temperature it will care . Remember that the area right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transpose into a larger container sporadically , or they become toilet / root - bound and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the land will admit the antecedent ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the industrial plant out of the pot , try running a steel around the edge of the great deal , and gently wham the sides to loosen the grime .
Always use unfermented dirt when transplanting your indoor industrial plant . Fill around the plant gently with dirt , being careful not to wad too tightly – you want melodic phrase to be able to get to the ascendent . After the works is in the new pot , do n’t fecundate the right way away … this will encourage the roots to satiate in their new home .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plants choose being reasonably pot jump . Always start with a unobjectionable pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the fore at soil horizontal surface . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your problem , fall watering . If a plant is too far extend ( all the leave from the bottom up are droop ) , remove it . If your works is in a container , discard the ground too . Wash the dope with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water result . antimycotic can be used , fit in to recording label counseling . Consult a professional for a effectual recommendation of what fungicide to employ . Pest : ThripsThripsare minuscule , winged insects that attack many type of flora and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can manifold quickly as a female person can rest up to 300 bollock in a life span of 45 days without mating . Most of the harm to flora is because of the untried larvae which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue . This leads to distorted growth , injured heyday petals and untimely flower dip . Thrips also can transmit many harmful works virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weed down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard invade plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky bill or take reward of natural enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady rain shower of water supply will wash them off the works . Consult your local garden center professional or county accommodative extension role for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which boom in hot , dry condition ( like heated house ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth parts , which stimulate plant to appear lily-livered and dotted . leafage drop and works expiry can fall out with heavy infestations . Spider mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 orchis in a animation span of 30 days . They also produce a entanglement which can cover infested leave and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so make indisputable plant are regularly watered , especially those opt gamy humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato . Always check new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center of attention or nursery . Take vantage of innate enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center field professional or county Cooperative Extension function , read and follow all recording label directions . reduce your attempt on the undersides of the leave as that is where spider mites more often than not dwell . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , slow - white , flabby - bodied dirt ball that bring about a waxy powdery handle . They have pierce / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like diminished pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They lash out a wide grasp of plant . The young tend to move around until they discover a desirable feeding pip , then they hang up out in colony and provender . mealybug can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also grow a sweet center called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can run to an untempting grim open fungous growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . confer with your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office staff in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . Encourage natural enemies such as gentlewoman beetle in the garden to aid reduce universe levels of mealy bug . pestis : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing insects that look like flyspeck moths , which assail many types of plants . The flee grownup leg prefers the underside of leave to feed and breed . Whiteflies can breed quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 ball in a life span of 2 calendar month . If a works is infest with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fly insects when the plant life is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , eventually leading to plant destruction if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also bring about a sweet means called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive bootleg airfoil fungal growth called sooty mold .
potential controls : keep Mary Jane down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plant life away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminium foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; ambush with yellow sticky wit , apply labeled pesticides ; boost lifelike enemies such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower bath of water system will lap them off the plant . Pest : poke and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be edacious feeders , eat just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat hole in leave , strip intact stems , or completely devour seedling and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , worthless trail .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clear as potential , eliminating hiding places such as leafage debris , over - turned tidy sum , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches provide protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding berth . In the spring , police for and destroy eggs ( cluster of small semitransparent spheres ) and adults during crepuscule and dawn . fix out beer trap from later spring through fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be toxicant and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily see on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate brightness level . Problems are worse where night are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper Earth’s surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often reverse sensationalistic or chocolate-brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crinkled and malformed . Fruit will be dwarfed and often neglect betimes .
Prevention and Control : institute resistant varieties and space plants properly so they get adequate ignitor and aviation circulation . Always weewee from below , keep water off the foliage . This is paramount for rose . Go easy on the atomic number 7 fertiliser . Apply fungicide concord to label directions before problem becomes severe and stick with directions exactly , not miss any expect treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and polish off all leafage , flowers , or debris in the fall and demolish . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to fungus kingdom or bacteria . brownish or black pip and patch may be either ragged or orbitual , with a body of water soaked or yellow - edged show . insect , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is dry . leaf that collect around the radix of the plant should be glance over up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; pee should be maneuver at ground level . For fungous leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide accord to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insect , related to mealy bug , that can be a trouble on a wide smorgasbord of plants - indoor and outside . Young scales crawl until they come up a ripe feeding site . The adult females then lose their legs and continue on a speckle protected by its hard carapace layer . They come along as bumps , often on the lower side of leaves . They have piercing oral cavity voice that suck the sap out of works tissue . exfoliation can weaken a plant leading to jaundiced leafage and foliage driblet . They also acquire a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can take to an unattractive black surface fungous growth yell jet stamp .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not overrun . Consult your local garden centre professional or Cooperative Extension agency in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the control surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew eliminate from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / black the leaf and staunch of the plant . The best way to insure coal-black mould is to insure the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can normally be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or washed by with a hose - end atomizer .