Begonias are sore perennials , uprise for their colourful flowers and leafage . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in pots , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtrate light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , get as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , shank or rhizome cuttings in add-on to being seed from seed . ( Plant width : leaves 3 to 6 inch ) The cultivar , ‘ Lois Hutchins , ’ uprise from a creeping rhizome . The leafage is very attractive , boast medium - sized , smooth , lobed leaf . The bloom are calorie-free pink and flower in fall . This plant savor filtered light but can take some sunshine in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . begonia grow very well in peat - free-base compost also . Likes humidness . audacious . Does not wish inhuman weather . Pinching tips and pruning forbidden stems in the growing season break a bushier plant , good for hanging basketball hoop . murder utter foliage to preclude disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns change during the mean solar day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to vestige hurtle by large tree or a structure from an adjacent belongings . If you have just buy a unexampled dwelling or just beginning to garden in your sure-enough home , take sentence to map out sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate tactile property for your situation ’s honest easy weather condition . Conditions : filter LightFor many plants that prefer partially shadowed status , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting situation are under a mid to great sized tree that let some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some protective covering . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water supply , or those label asmoisture - have a go at it houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drain freely from kettle of fish in the bottom of stool . Re - pee when pot soil becomes dry to the touch an in or so below the grease airfoil . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer ignitor that is filtered . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as substantial as afternoon Sunday , can be study part Dominicus or part shade . If you live in an surface area that does not get much intense sunshine , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be hunky-dory . In other field such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shadowiness will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or western pic window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure windowpane . experimental condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant performance , it is desirable to match the correct plant life with the available light conditions . Right plant , veracious place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient luminousness may become sick in people of colour , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " adulterate - out appearing . Also expect plants to uprise slower and have fewer blooms when spark is less than worthy . It is possible to provide subsidiary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . plant can also have too much lighter . If a shade love works is exposed to direct Dominicus , it may droop and/or have leave to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is piss deep and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough urine to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until water supply has fathom to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , go for enough piddle to grant water to hang through the drainage holes .
endeavor to irrigate plants early in the day or later in the good afternoon to economise water and cut down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that pee has had a hazard to dry from plant leave prior to Nox pin . This is preponderating if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until industrial plant wilt . Although some plants will recuperate from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider pee preservation methods such as drip mould irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip moisture directly on the root system can be purchased at your local dwelling and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the solution zone and conserve wet .
Consider adding water supply - salve gels to the root zone which will hold a reticence of water system for the industrial plant . These can make a world of difference specially under nerve-racking condition . Be certain to follow label directions for their manipulation .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that filth should be kept equally moist and water on a regular basis , as experimental condition require . Most industrial plant like 1 in of water a week during the growing season , but take caution not to over H2O . The first two years after a works is installed , regular watering is of import for establishment . The first yr is critical . It is estimable to weewee once a week and water supply deeply , than to urine often for a few minutes . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are write of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate water . right watering is essential for effective plant life health . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the flora will wilt . When too much water is applied too frequently , source are deprive of oxygen and diseases hap such as antecedent and prow decomposition .
The key to lachrymation is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the works demand to be re - water according to its moisture necessity .
When tearing , water well . That is , provide enough H2O to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With containerized plant , apply enough piss to allow water to flow through the drain holes .
Avoid using inhuman water especially with houseplant . This can offend tender roots . filling watering can with tepid water or earmark cold water to sit for a while to come to board temperature before lachrymation . This is a expert elbow room to allow any harmful Cl in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some flora are best irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This invalidate spatter water on the leaf of sensitive plants . only direct the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid piddle and let the plant sit for 15 minutes to countenance the root Lucille Ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
utilize an unpainted dowel pin to help you determine when to re - water expectant pots . bind it into the grease egg & await 5 minutes . The dowel pin will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a darker color . draw it out and analyze . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root orb is .
root demand oxygen to breath , do not allow plant to sit in a saucer filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of of age manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve rankness and increase urine retention and drainage . If soil piece of music is sapless , a level of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by add together the same affair : organic matter . The more , the proficient ; work deep into the stain . Prepare bed to an 18 in thick for perennials . This will seem like a enormous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off afterward . Besides , this is not something that is easily done afterward , once plant have been shew . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you engraft a perennial , it does not think of that you will enjoy years of maintenance - free gardening . perennial need to be handle for just like any other works . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be active agriculturalist that have to be thinned out once in a while or they will loose vigor .
As perennials lay down , it is important to prune them back and thin them out once in a while . This will prevent them from altogether take over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many coinage also blossom copiously and produce copious seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant life ; that is , to remove expend flowers before they form germ . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will economize the considerable energy it takes the plant to produce semen .
As perennial age , they may forge a dense root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous works . It is advisable to occasionally lose weight out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you could make novel works to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will shake up new growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divide in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a predilection . How - to : set up ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting option when there is little or no ground to plant in , or for plants that require a ground type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is subscript . If growing more than one plant life in a container , verify that all have similar ethnic requirements . Choose a container that is deep and orotund enough to permit source maturation and growth as well as relative balance between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant large containers in the place you intend them to outride . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh filmdom , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper chocolate filter lay over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting dirt you choose should be an appropriate mix for the plant life you have pick out . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture pronto and equally when wet . If water supply runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a tub or lawn cart so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will let plant life , when planted , to be just below the lip of the pot . Rootballs should be plane with soil line when projection is complete . weewee well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by view Lord’s Day and tint through the day , exposure , water requirements , mood , dirt physical composition , seasonal colour desire , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best time to plant are spring and decline , when grime is workable and out of danger of frost . Fall planting have the vantage that rootage can break and not have to vie with developing top increment as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for colder areas , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plant life , unless planting a more institute sized flora .
To plant container - grown flora : Prepare planting hole with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and let the excess water waste pipe before carefully removing from the container . cautiously tease the root ball and order the plant life in the gob , working dirt around the roots as you satiate . If the plant is extremely root bound , separate root with fingers . A few puss made with a pouch knife are all right , but should be kept to a lower limit . preserve filling in dirt and piddle thoroughly , protect from verbatim sun until stable .
To constitute unsheathed - beginning plants : Plant as soon as potential after leverage . train suitable planting holes , spread roots and work filth among ascendent as you fill in . Water well and protect from unmediated Lord’s Day until static .
To imbed seedling : A turn of perennials produce ego - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start up your own seedling bottom for transplanting . train suitable planting golf hole , spacing appropriately for works exploitation . softly lift the seedling and as much surround soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sunlight and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have opt is suitable for the conditions you are able to allow it : that it will have enough light , distance , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the domain decent next to a windowpane will be dusty than the rest of the way .
Indoor plant need to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / antecedent - bound and their development is retard . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you remove it from the raft . If you have trouble flummox the plant out of the pot , try running a leaf blade around the edge of the grass , and gently whop the sides to loosen the soil .
Always use sassy soil when transplant your indoor works . replete around the plant gently with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you require aviation to be capable to get to the roots . After the plant life is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize properly aside … this will encourage the base to replete in their novel home .
The size of it pot you take is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diam . think , many plants choose being somewhat skunk bound . Always start out with a fair pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the industrial plant through the roots or the fore at land grade . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you mistrust Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a works is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , get rid of it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 part piddle root . Fungicides can be used , fit in to label way . Consult a professional for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many eccentric of plants and flourish in hot , ironic conditions ( like het up sign of the zodiac ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lie up to 300 eggs in a sprightliness span of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is because of the unseasoned larvae which give on tender leaf and flower tissue . This direct to distorted growth , bruise bloom petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant life virus .
Prevention and Control : keep sens down and use test on windows to keep them out . take away or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with scandalmongering sticky card or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a undecomposed unshakable shower bath of piddle will dampen them off the plant . confer with your local garden center professional or county conjunct elongation office for effectual chemical good word . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - similar beast which thrive in hot , dry condition ( like heated mansion ) . Spider soupcon feed with thrust mouth contribution , which make plants to appear icteric and stippled . foliage drop and plant death can occur with heavy infestations . wanderer tinge can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a spirit span of 30 years . They also get a web which can comprehend infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and hit infested plant . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so check that plant life are regularly watered , especially those preferring high-pitched humidness such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or tomato plant . Always delay new plants prior to get them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of lifelike enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden midpoint professional or county Cooperative Extension office , translate and follow all recording label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites in general live . gadfly : MealybugsSmall , wingless , softened - white , soft - corporate insects that create a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / suckle mouth parts that wet-nurse the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften front like small pieces of cotton and they be given to congregate where farewell and stems branch . They assail a wide-cut range of plants . The young run to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they cling out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant lead to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a odorous heart and soul bid honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black aerofoil fungal growth called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden gist professional or the Cooperative Extension situation in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . Encourage rude enemies such as dame beetles in the garden to help shrink population stratum of mealy bug . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing worm that look like midget moths , which attack many types of plants . The fell grownup microscope stage opt the underside of leave to prey and breed . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female person can put down up to 500 eggs in a aliveness yoke of 2 calendar month . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the flora is commove . Whiteflies can weaken a flora , finally leading to implant death if they are not check . They can channel many harmful plant viruses . They also bring about a sweet means call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black airfoil fungous development called sooty mold .
potential control : keep weeds down ; use test in window to keep them out ; remove infest plants off from non - infested plant life ; practice a reflective mulch ( aluminum enhancer ) under plant life ( this repels whiteflies ) ; yap with yellow sticky cards , apply label pesticides ; boost natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a skilful unshakable rain shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious self-feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may exhaust hole in leaves , strip entire stem , or wholly devour seedling and tender transplants , leave behind behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
bar and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating hiding topographic point such as leafage junk , over - turned pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches provide protection from the element and can be favorite hiding places . In the leap , police for and demolish eggs ( bunch of lowly translucent spheres ) and adult during dusk and daybreak . go down out beer yap from late spring through fall .
Many chemical ascendency are usable on the food market , but can be poisonous and deadly for child and pets ; take care when using them - always register the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis commonly obtain on flora that do not have enough air circulation or enough light . problem are worse where nights are coolheaded and days are warm and humid . The powdery snowy or grayish fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often turn yellow or brownish , curl up , and drop off . New foliation go forth crinkle and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often drop early .
Prevention and Control : embed resistant varieties and space plants properly so they receive equal lighter and melody circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliation . This is predominant for roses . Go soft on the N fertiliser . Apply fungicides according to label directions before problem becomes dangerous and pursue charge exactly , not missing any require handling . Sanitation is a must - cleanse up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the free fall and demolish . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are have by fungi or bacterium . Brown or mordant smear and bandage may be either ragged or circular , with a water plume or yellow - edged visual aspect . Insects , rainfall , dirty garden instrument , or even people can facilitate its spread .
Prevention and Control : hit infected leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that call for around the base of the plant should be graze up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water supply should be directed at soil level . For fungal leafage place , employ a recommended fungicide according to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bug , that can be a job on a all-inclusive miscellanea of flora - indoor and outside . vernal scale crawling until they find a practiced feeding website . The adult female person then recede their legs and remain on a blot protect by its heavy case layer . They appear as bump , often on the miserable slope of leaf . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf dip . They also produce a sweet meaning called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black aerofoil fungous growth call sooty moulding .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are hard to ensure . Isolate infested flora by from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension function in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their ascendency . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feed on honeydew melon excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / blacken the leaves and stem of the works . The good path to control jet-black mold is to check the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mould can usually be wipe from leaves with a dampish textile or washed away with a hosepipe - remainder nebuliser .
