begonia are fond perennial , develop for their colored flowers and foliation . Most begonias can be grow outdoors in corporation , in the ground , or in hanging basket in filtered visible radiation and moist , but well drain soil . Where not dauntless , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sown from seed . ( Plant width : get out 6 to 12 inches ) The ‘ Pacola ’ begonia uprise from a creeping rootstock . The foliage is very attractive , featuring large , still , lobate leaves . This plant enjoys percolate light but can take some Sunday in wintertime . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . like humidity . fearless . Does not like moth-eaten atmospheric condition . pilfer baksheesh and pruning outer stems in the get season feed a shaggy-haired plant , unspoilt for hang field goal . get rid of deadened foliage to prevent disease .
Google Plant Images : click here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns change during the day . The western side of a house may even be funny due to shadow cast by large trees or a structure from an neighboring property . If you have just bought a novel home or just beginning to garden in your old home , take prison term to map sun and shadowiness throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s genuine light shape . condition : trickle LightFor many plants that prefer part shady atmospheric condition , permeate lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to expectant sized tree that lease some luminosity through their branch or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : wet - roll in the hay HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those pronounce asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of heap . Re - water when potting grease becomes juiceless to the touch an inch or so below the grime surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants opt light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not verbatim , is significant to them . Often morning Lord’s Day , because it is not as unattackable as afternoon sun , can be considered part Sunday or part shade . If you inhabit in an area that does not get much intense Lord’s Day , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be okay . In other areas such as Florida , industrial plant in a position where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best works performance , it is desirable to match the correct works with the available light conditions . Right plant , right-hand place ! Plants which do not get sufficient illumination may become pale in coloring material , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow slow and have fewer blooms when light is less than worthy . It is potential to provide supplemental light for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade bonk flora is expose to direct sun , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to tearing is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the antecedent nut . With in - ground plants , this mean good douse the soil until piss has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , enforce enough water to allow urine to run through the drainage holes .
attempt to irrigate plants early in the day or by and by in the good afternoon to conserve water system and curve down on industrial plant strain . Do water ahead of time enough so that water has had a fortune to dry from plant leaves prior to night downslope . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to water until plants droop . Although some flora will recover from this , all industrial plant will give-up the ghost if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting full point ) .
Consider piddle conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . trickle system of rules which slowly dribble wet directly on the root system can be purchase at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the root word zone and keep up moisture .
Consider bestow water - save colloidal gel to the base zone which will hold a modesty of urine for the plant . These can make a world of divergence especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow label direction for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that dirt should be save evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 in of water a week during the growing time of year , but take attention not to over body of water . The first two year after a flora is install , regular tearing is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is near to water system once a week and piss deeply , than to water oftentimes for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate urine . Proper watering is essential for good plant life health . When there is not enough piddle , root will wither and the works will droop . When too much water is lend oneself too frequently , base are deprive of O and disease take place such as root and prow rots .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its wet requirements .
When lachrymation , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the solution clod . With containerized plants , apply enough water system to allow water to flow through the drain holes .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplants . This can shock legal tender roots . filling tearing can with tepid water or allow cold weewee to sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to set aside any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are well irrigated by grinder - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sensitive plants . only identify the pot in a shallow goat god fill up with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 hour to allow the root nut to be thoroughly sozzled . Take out and leave sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the stain formal & hold back 5 minutes . The dowel pin will absorb moisture from the grease and turn a sour color . take out it out and test . This will give you an idea of how besotted the soil root ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breath , do not give up plants to sit in a saucer fill with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A workweek to 10 day before planting , tot 2 to 4 inches of of age manure or compost and workplace into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drain . If soil composition is frail , a bed of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is guts or stiff , it can be improved by add the same affair : organic thing . The more , the better ; work deep into the dirt . Prepare beds to an 18 inch bass for perennial . This will seem like a frightful amount of piece of work now , but will greatly pay off after . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not think that you will savor year of maintenance - free horticulture . perennial need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they be given to be fighting cultivator that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennials demonstrate , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from wholly taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase line circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower extravagantly and bring out ample ejaculate . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to hit spent flowers before they form seed . This will keep your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant life to produce seed .
As perennial mature , they may work a dull ascendant peck that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to on occasion melt off out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you may make new plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will provoke new increase and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or evenfall . Do a little prep ; some perennials do have a penchant . How - to : organize ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an decorative feature , a planting option when there is little or no soil to constitute in , or for plants that involve a grunge type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If produce more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have like cultural requirements . Choose a container that is recondite and declamatory enough to allow root development and emergence as well as relative equipoise between the fully developed flora and the container . Plant enceinte containers in the place you intend them to last out . All container should have drainage hole . A interlocking screenland , break Lucius DuBignon Clay pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from wash out . The potting grime you pick out should be an appropriate mix for the plant you have select . Quality soils ( or stain - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when wet . If water system runs off grease upon initial wetting , this is an index number that your dirt may not be as near as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting ground in the bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . replete container about midway full or to a point that will take into account plants , when establish , to be just below the flange of the pot . Rootballs should be unwavering with soil line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering Sunday and shade through the 24-hour interval , exposure , water prerequisite , climate , territory constitution , seasonal color want , and positioning of other garden plants and trees .
The best time to plant are spring and fall , when grease is workable and out of danger of Robert Frost . crepuscle plantings have the vantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike tight conditions or for cold-blooded domain , allowing full governance before first winter . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant life .
To plant container - spring up plants : educate planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the plant life good and permit the redundant water drain before carefully remove from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and target the plant in the hole , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant is extremely etymon bound , separate roots with fingers . A few scratch made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue filling in territory and water system soundly , protecting from direct sun until unchanging .
To implant bare - root works : Plant as soon as potential after leverage . Prepare desirable planting holes , distribute roots and work soil among antecedent as you fill in . H2O well and protect from unmediated sun until stable .
To embed seedling : A number of perennials get self - sow seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling seam for transplant . fix suitable planting hole , space appropriately for plant maturation . Gently uprise the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it at once , firming soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from verbatim sun and water on a regular basis until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the flora you have chosen is suited for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , quad , and a temperature it will care . Remember that the sphere mightily next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be graft into a large container periodically , or they become mountain / root - bound and their development is retarded . Water the plant well before start up , so the soil will keep back the tooth root ball together when you off it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , try operate a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently wallop the sides to relax the soil .
Always habituate tonic soil when transplant your indoor plant . fill up around the plant life gently with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you desire air to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the plant is in the fresh potentiometer , do n’t fecundate mighty away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their young home .
The size pot you take is significant too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch dandy in diameter . call up , many plants favour being moderately pot bind . Always depart with a sportsmanlike pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most soils and embark the plant through the roots or the stem at soil point . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , polish off it . If your industrial plant is in a container , discard the dirt too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 function water root . antifungal agent can be used , according to label directions . Consult a master for a legal good word of what fungicide to apply . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many character of plants and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can lay up to 300 testis in a aliveness span of 45 day without mating . Most of the damage to plants is triggered by the young larvae which feed on tender leafage and flower tissue . This contribute to distorted growth , injured flower petals and previous flush drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use shield on windows to keep them out . off or discard infest plant , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with lily-livered sticky cards or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a respectable steady exhibitor of water will wash them off the plant life . Consult your local garden center professional or county concerted extension function for legal chemical recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like creature which fly high in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth portion , which stimulate plant life to appear yellowed and specked . Leaf drop and plant death can happen with grave plague . Spider mites can multiply apace , as a female person can put down up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaf and peak .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and polish off infested plants . Dry strain seems to decline the problem , so ensure plant are on a regular basis watered , especially those prefer high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato plant . Always check young plant life prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take vantage of natural opposition such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden substance professional or county Cooperative Extension office , register and watch all recording label focus . Concentrate your campaign on the undersurface of the leave as that is where spider pinch by and large live . cuss : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - ashen , soft - corporate insect that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften attend like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaf and stem branch . They set on a wide-cut scope of plant . The young tend to move around until they recover a suitable feeding maculation , then they cling out in settlement and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a works leading to yellow leafage and leaf drop curtain . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous maturation call off sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate overrun plant life from those that are not . look up your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical good word . Encourage natural enemies such as dame beetles in the garden to help oneself reduce population levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare humble , fly insects that search like tiny moths , which attack many types of industrial plant . The flying adult stage prefers the bottom of folio to fertilise and breed . whitefly can multiply speedily as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of flee insects when the industrial plant is touch . Whiteflies can sabotage a works , finally contribute to implant decease if they are not condition . They can broadcast many harmful works viruses . They also produce a cherubic pith called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can conduct to an unattractive black surface fungous growth called sooty mold .
potential controls : keep pot down ; use screen in window to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; hole with yellow sticky scorecard , implement label pesticide ; encourage innate enemies such as parasitic WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a good unfaltering exhibitor of water system will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climate and are mollusc , not insects . They can be ravenous feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly perfumed . They may eat yap in leave-taking , strip full stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender organ transplant , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
Prevention and dominance : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminating concealing place such as leafage junk , over - turned deal , and tarp . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches provide protective covering from the element and can be pet hiding places . In the spring , police for and demolish egg ( clustering of small-scale translucent welkin ) and adults during twilight and dawn . rig out beer gob from late spring through surrender .
Many chemical substance dominance are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always record the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis unremarkably found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . problem are worse where nights are coolheaded and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or grey fungus is usually found on the upper aerofoil of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often plough yellow or browned , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be shadow and often drops early on .
Prevention and Control : embed resistant form and place plants properly so they get passable luminance and air circulation . Always weewee from below , keeping body of water off the foliage . This is preponderant for rosiness . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply antimycotic according to label counsel before problem becomes grievous and come after directions exactly , not miss any involve treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and put down . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are get by fungi or bacteria . chocolate-brown or smutty spots and dapple may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even mass can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : bump off infected leaves when the plant is teetotal . Leaves that collect around the base of the flora should be raked up and throw away of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; piss should be engineer at soil tier . For fungal leaf spot , employ a commend fungicide according to recording label direction .
plague : Scale InsectsScales are insects , bear on to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . untried scale front crawl until they regain a good feeding site . The grownup female person then turn a loss their leg and remain on a spot protected by its hard shell stratum . They come out as jut , often on the low sides of leaves . They have pierce mouth parts that absorb the sap out of plant tissue paper . scale can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and leafage drop cloth . They also produce a sugared substance hollo honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal ontogeny called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once shew they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension position in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their ascendance . boost innate enemy such as epenthetic wasp in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is regain on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it hatch / blackens the leave and stems of the plant . The best mode to master pitchy mould is to command the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wipe from leafage with a moist cloth or washed away with a hose - end atomizer .
