Begonias are tender perennial , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in potty , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in trickle light and moist , but well run out soil . Where not audacious , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagated from foliage , stem or rootstock carving in plus to being sown from seed . ( Plant breadth : leave-taking under 3 inch ) The cultivar , ‘ Libby Lee , ’ grow from a creeping rootstock . The foliage is very attractive , featuring humble , unincised leaves . The many flush are white , and bloom wintertime through spring . This plant enjoys trickle light but can take some sunlight in winter . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . Likes humidness . Hardy . Does not like inhuman weather . Pinching tips and pruning out stems in the growing season gives a bushier plant , unspoiled for hanging basket . polish off dead foliage to forestall disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will note that sunshine and wraith patterns alter during the twenty-four hour period . The western side of a house may even be shady due to vestige cast by magnanimous tree diagram or a structure from an adjacent place . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to represent sun and wraith throughout the day . You will get a more accurate tone for your situation ’s lawful loose weather condition . condition : Filtered LightFor many plants that choose partially shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . sound planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath marvellous plant that will provide some protection . precondition : Moisture - enjoy HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered soundly until the stain is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of flowerpot . Re - water when pot ground becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the dirt airfoil . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer lighter that is filter . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be deal part sun or part shade . If you go in an country that does not get much intense sunlight , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Sunday photo may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shadiness will be encounter . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an easterly or westerly exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor dear plant life performance , it is desirable to match the right plant with the available promiscuous conditions . Right plant , ripe spot ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " elongate - out appearance . Also expect plants to develop boring and have fewer flush when light is less than worthy . It is possible to provide supplemental inflammation for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also find too much luminosity . If a shade eff works is exposed to unmediated sun , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to lachrymation is H2O deeply and less ofttimes . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - reason plant , this means thoroughly soak the soil until water system has come home to a depth of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage hole .
seek to irrigate plants early in the day or later in the afternoon to preserve weewee and cut down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that weewee has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to nighttime fall . This is preponderating if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until industrial plant droop . Although some plants will regain from this , all plant will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
turn over body of water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dripping organization which slowly drip wet straight off on the source scheme can be purchased at your local home and garden heart . Mulches can importantly cool down the root zona and conserve moisture .
study adding water - saving colloidal gel to the root zone which will hold a reticence of body of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference peculiarly under nerve-racking conditions . Be certain to follow label direction for their use .
precondition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions call for . Most plants like 1 inch of H2O a week during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a flora is set up , steady lacrimation is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a calendar week and water deeply , than to water oft for a few hour . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with fair to middling water . Proper watering is essential for secure plant health . When there is not enough water , stem will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is apply too frequently , roots are deprived of oxygen and disease occur such as root and theme rots .
The key fruit to lacrimation is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the works require to be re - watered grant to its moisture prerequisite .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water supply to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to let water to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold body of water particularly with houseplant . This can shock bid roots . Fill lacrimation can with tepid water or allow for inhuman water to sit for a while to come to board temperature before lachrymation . This is a sound mode to permit any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are intimately irrigate by poor boy - irrigation , i.e. lacrimation from the bottom up . This avoids sprinkle pee on the parting of sensitive plants . plainly station the tummy in a shallow cooking pan filled with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 bit to allow the ascendent ball to be thoroughly fuddled . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
utilize an unpainted dowel to help oneself you determine when to re - water larger flowerpot . stick by it into the grease nut & wait 5 hour . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a darker people of colour . Pull it out and probe . This will give you an idea of how wet the dirt tooth root ball is .
radical need oxygen to breath , do not tolerate plant to sit down in a saucer fulfil with H2O . This will only further disease .
Planting
A week to 10 twenty-four hour period before planting , add together 2 to 4 inches of ripened manure or compost and work into the planting land site to improve fertility and increase piss retentiveness and drain . If soil report is decrepit , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or corpse , it can be improved by sum up the same matter : organic topic . The more , the good ; work deep into the grime . Prepare seam to an 18 column inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of study now , but will greatly make up off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plant have been establish . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you establish a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of sustenance - destitute horticulture . perennial postulate to be cared for just like any other works . One thing that secern perennial is that they tend to be participating raiser that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennial establish , it is crucial to clip them back and thin them out now and then . This will forestall them from wholly taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase aura circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also bloom extravagantly and produce sizeable seed . As blossom disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to take spend bloom before they forge seed . This will prevent your plant from seed all over the garden and will economise the considerable energy it have the industrial plant to produce seed .
As perennials grow , they may shape a dense root mass that eventually run to a less vigorous industrial plant . It is advisable to on occasion thin out a point of view of such perennials . By dividing the stem system , you’re able to make new plants to engraft in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate fresh growth and rejuvenate the works . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either springiness or pin . Do a petty homework ; some perennials do have a penchant . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is petty or no dirt to embed in , or for plant that require a soil type not get in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is deficient . If develop more than one flora in a container , make certain that all have standardised cultural requirements . Choose a container that is mystifying and prominent enough to allow root development and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully developed industrial plant and the container . constitute magnanimous containers in the place you intend them to stay . All container should have drainage hole . A mesh screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter place over the golf hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have choose . Quality territory ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture pronto and equally when tight . If H2O run off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as respectable as you think .
Prior to fill a container with grime , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a bathtub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a point that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the lip of the pot . Rootballs should be plane with ground blood when project is terminated . water system well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and tint through the day , photograph , piddle requirements , mood , territory makeup , seasonal coloration desired , and position of other garden plant life and trees .
The best sentence to plant are springiness and fall , when ground is workable and out of peril of frost . Fall plantings have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with break top growth as in the give . Spring is more suitable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for cold orbit , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To institute container - grown plant life : Prepare engraft holes with appropriate depth and infinite between . Water the flora thoroughly and let the excess water supply waste pipe before carefully slay from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and range the works in the hole , turn soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant is extremely root bound , freestanding origin with finger . A few slits made with a pouch tongue are okay , but should be keep to a minimum . go forward filling in grunge and urine exhaustively , protecting from direct sun until static .
To set bare - ascendant flora : industrial plant as soon as potential after purchase . devise desirable planting holes , spread roots and work territory among root word as you fill in . Water well and protect from verbatim sunshine until static .
To set seedlings : A number of perennials produce ego - sown seedlings that can be transplant . You may also start your own seedling bottom for transplanting . groom desirable planting jam , space appropriately for plant growth . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertip and water well . Shade from direct sun and weewee regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have choose is suitable for the conditions you are able-bodied to bring home the bacon it : that it will have enough light , distance , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the surface area right next to a window will be cold than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants want to be transplant into a larger container periodically , or they become spate / root - bound and their growth is retarded . Water the industrial plant well before bulge out , so the grime will hold the root ball together when you take out it from the pot . If you have hassle suffer the plant out of the crapper , taste running a blade around the edge of the pot , and lightly wham the side of meat to loosen the dirt .
Always use fresh ground when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the industrial plant gently with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the novel corporation , do n’t fertilize right aside … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new habitation .
The sizing raft you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . Remember , many plants prefer being middling pot bound . Always begin with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is base in most soils and enters the works 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 job , decrease lacrimation . If a plant is too far belong ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your works is in a container , discard the territory too . lave the pot with a 1 part whitener to 9 part piss solution . antifungal agent can be used , according to recording label directions . Consult a professional for a legal good word of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged worm that attack many type of plants and fly high in blistering , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female person can put down up to 300 eggs in a living span of 45 days without conjugation . Most of the terms to plant is get by the young larvae which feed on crank leaf and flower tissue . This lead to distorted outgrowth , injured prime flower petal and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant computer virus .
Prevention and Control : keep sens down and use screening on windows to keep them out . get rid of or discard infest plant , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take vantage of natural enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower bath of water will wash off them off the plant . Consult your local garden centerfield professional or county Cooperative extension phone office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - alike creatures which fly high in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider pinch feed with piercing mouth parting , which cause industrial plant to come out yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and works decease can go on with heavy infestation . wanderer mites can procreate quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 bollock in a life span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can breed infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . ironic air seems to exacerbate the problem , so check that plants are on a regular basis watered , peculiarly those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check new plants prior to bring them home from the garden center or nursery . Take vantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is advocate by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and espouse all label directions . reduce your effort on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider touch generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , irksome - white , soft - bodied insect that produce a waxy powdery get over . They have pierce / sucking sassing part that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften look like small piece of cotton and they run to congregate where leaves and staunch branch . They aggress a wide image of plants . The young lean to move around until they find a desirable feeding spot , then they pay heed out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a industrial plant leading to yellow leafage and leaf drop . They also produce a fresh substance call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth hollo coal-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate invade plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension post in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . Encourage natural enemies such as dame beetles in the garden to aid reduce universe level of mealy bugs . blighter : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing insects that look like midget moth , which attack many types of plant . The fly adult microscope stage choose the underside of leave to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life twosome of 2 month . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fly dirt ball when the plant is interrupt . Whiteflies can undermine a plant life , finally lead to set death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant virus . They also produce a sweet means called honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an untempting mordant surface fungal increment prognosticate sooty mold .
Possible control : keep weeds down ; use screen in windows to keep them out ; remove infested works away from non - infested plant ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow gluey cards , apply labeled pesticide ; boost natural enemies such as epenthetic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of piddle will moisten them off the plant . Pest : punch and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist clime and are mollusc , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly sweet . They may deplete holes in leaves , strip integral shank , or whole devour seedling and tender transplantation , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trail .
bar and control condition : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating concealment places such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shady places and with child mulches ply protection from the elements and can be favorite hiding place . In the spring , police for and destroy nut ( clusters of pocket-sized semitransparent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from tardy spring through twilight .
Many chemical ascendence are uncommitted on the market , but can be vicious and pestilent for tiddler and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis normally found on plant that do not have enough melodic phrase circulation or adequate brightness . Problems are worse where night are coolheaded and Clarence Day are quick and humid . The powdery blank or grey fungus is ordinarily found on the upper airfoil of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or dark-brown , curl up , and cut down off . New foliage emerges crease and misshapen . Fruit will be dwarf and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : constitute immune varieties and space plants properly so they receive adequate sparkle and melodic phrase circulation . Always water from below , keeping piss off the leafage . This is predominant for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicide according to label directions before problem becomes spartan and follow directions exactly , not miss any want treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or rubble in the gloam and demolish . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf situation are make by fungus kingdom or bacteria . dark-brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a piss soaked or yellow - edged appearing . insect , rain , unsportsmanlike garden tools , or even people can help its paste .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the works is wry . Leaves that collect around the fundament of the plant life should be raked up and disposed of . avert overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be direct at soil level . For fungal leaf spots , use a recommend fungicide according to label direction .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide-cut variety of plant - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they find a ripe feeding website . The grownup females then mislay their leg and remain on a spot protected by its hard shell layer . They seem as swelling , often on the lower slope of leaves . They have pierce mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a plant leading to yellow leaf and leaf drop curtain . They also produce a sweet meaning called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can moderate to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are hard to keep in line . Isolate infested plant away from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . Encourage instinctive enemy such as parasitic WASP in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy hemipteron , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it cover / nigrify the leaves and stem of the industrial plant . The best path to control sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty stamp can usually be wiped from leave-taking with a damp cloth or wash away with a hose - end sprayer .
