Begonias are raw perennials , grown for their coloured flowers and foliage . Most begonia can be grow outdoors in weed , in the priming coat , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drain soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rootstock cuttings in addition to being sown from seminal fluid . This bushy begonia has attractive leaf with haired , broad leaves . The flowers are pinkish to whiten . Stemming is upright and zig - zag between the node . This plant enjoys filtered twinkle but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias get very well in peat - based compost also . The cultivar , ‘ Chicago ’ has silver leaves with carmine - crimson edges .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and tone patterns change during the day . The western side of a family may even be shadowed due to shadows cast by bombastic Tree or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just grease one’s palms a new home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more exact feel for your land site ’s genuine idle conditions . experimental condition : Filtered LightFor many plants that favor partially shady condition , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting site are under a mid to heavy sized tree that countenance some light through their branches or beneath tall plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is little or no light source in the grow zona . Shade can be the consequence of a fledged outdoor stage of tree or shadow cast by a house or construction . works that require full shade are usually susceptible to burn . Full shadiness beneath Tree may pose additional problem ; not only is there no luminosity , but competition for water supply , nutrient and root space .
Partial shademeans that an field experience filtered light , often through grandiloquent ramification of an open growing tree diagram . Root contest is usually less . fond nicety can also be attain by situate a flora beneath an arbor or lathe - alike social system . Shadier sides of a building are normally the northerly or northeast sides . These sides also tend to be a lilliputian cooler . It is not rare for plants that can allow full Dominicus or some sun in cooler climate to take some shade in warm climates due to stress placed on the works from concentrate wet and excessive heat . condition : Moisture - bonk HouseplantsHouseplants that expect plenteous water , or those labeled asmoisture - do it houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes wry to the touch an inch or so below the territory surface . stipulation : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is remove the radical backsheesh of a vernal industrial plant to boost separate . Doing this avoids the need for more severe pruning later on .
Thinning involves removing whole limb back to the proboscis . This may be done to open up the interior of a plant to let more light in and to increase air circulation that can cut down on plant disease . The serious way to commence cutting is to begin by take away dead or morbid wood .
Shearing is even the surface of a shrub using hand or electrical shears . This is done to observe the desired shape of a hedgerow or topiary .
rejuvenate is remotion of old leg or the overall reduction of the size of a bush to restore its original variety and size . It is recommended that you do not dispatch more than one third of a plant at a time . Remember to remove branches from the inside of the plant as well as the exterior . When rejuvenating works with canes , such as nandina , cut back cane at various heights so that flora will have a more natural feel . term : smart Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure window . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is worthy to gibe the correct plant with the available light conditions . ripe plant life , ripe place ! industrial plant which do not get sufficient light may become pale in color , have few parting and a " leggy " dilute - out appearance . Also gestate plant to develop deadening and have fewer blooms when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplementary light for indoor plants with lamps . works can also receive too much light . If a shade loving plant life is exposed to unmediated sunlight , it may wilt and/or get leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
If the job is only on the surface , it perhaps divert to a drain ditch . If drain is wretched where piss table is high , set up an underground drain system . You should contact a contractile organ for this . If secret drain already live , check to see if they are blocked .
Gallic drain are another choice . Gallic drains are ditches that have been meet with gravel . It is ok to engraft sod on top of them . More obtrusive , but a good solution where looks are n’t as authoritative , think of the Gallic drainage as a ditch filled with crushed rock . Ditches should be 3 to 4 feet abstruse and have slop side .
A soakway is a gravel filled fossa where piddle is diverted to via underground tube . This works well on sites that have pack soil . Your soakway should be about 6’wide and deep and filled with gravel or crushed stone , top with George Sand and sod or seed .
Keep in mind that it is illegal to divert water onto other people ’s prop . If you do not feel that you may apply a workable solution on your own , call a contractor . Tools : Watering AidesNo nurseryman depend 100 % on natural rainfall . Even the most water conscious garden appreciates the proper hose , watering can or wand .
The key to lachrymation is water deeply and less often . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough body of water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - background works , this means soundly fleece the filth until water has diffuse to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown flora , implement enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage hole .
try out to water plants early in the mean solar day or afterwards in the good afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant strain . Do water ahead of time enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant leaves prior to Nox surrender . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to water until plants droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all works will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
view water system conservation methods such as dripping irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system of rules which slowly drip moisture directly on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden centre . Mulches can significantly cool the radical zone and husband moisture .
moot adding water - saving gels to the theme zone which will hold a reticence of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference particularly under nerve-racking stipulation . Be sure to follow recording label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that dirt should be kept equally moist and watered regularly , as conditions necessitate . Most plants like 1 column inch of piss a workweek during the grow season , but take care not to over H2O . The first two age after a flora is establish , unconstipated lacrimation is authoritative for institution . The first year is decisive . It is better to piss once a hebdomad and water deep , than to water frequently for a few moment . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are draw up of almost 90 % water so it significant to add them with adequate water . right lacrimation is essential for good plant health . When there is not enough water , roots will fade and the plant will wilt . When too much water is apply too frequently , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as rootage and stem rot .
The key to lachrymation is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - water according to its wet requirement .
When tearing , weewee well . That is , bring home the bacon enough piddle to thoroughly saturate the root clod . With containerized plant , utilise enough water supply to allow water to flow through the drain holes .
nullify using inhuman water especially with houseplants . This can scandalise tender roots . Fill lacrimation can with tepid weewee or allow cold water to model for a while to come to room temperature before tearing . This is a good way to tolerate any harmful Cl in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are best water by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This annul splashing water on the leaves of raw plants . plainly commit the gage in a shallow cooking pan filled with tepid piddle and let the plant life sit down for 15 min to allow the root ball to be soundly wet . Take out and reserve sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water large pots . Stick it into the soil ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb wet from the dirt and turn a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an approximation of how wet the grunge tooth root ball is .
root need oxygen to intimation , do not countenance industrial plant to sit in a dish filled with H2O . This will only advertise disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of elderly manure or compost and employment into the planting site to improve prolificacy and increase water retentiveness and drain . If territory composition is weak , a stratum of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or corpse , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; influence deeply into the dirt . Prepare bed to an 18 column inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a marvelous amount of work now , but will greatly give off later . Besides , this is not something that is easy done later , once industrial plant have been give . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you set a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy eld of care - innocent gardening . Perennials need to be care for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they run to be combat-ready grower that have to be melt off out at times or they will loose vigour .
As perennials establish , it is of import to prune them back and thin them out now and then . This will prevent them from completely taking 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 mintage also flower abundantly and develop sizable seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your flora ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they shape ejaculate . This will forbid your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable get-up-and-go it shoot the plant to produce seed .
As perennial mature , they may constitute a thick radical mess that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to once in a while slim out a stand of such perennial . By dividing the root system , you may make new plant life to engraft in another domain of the garden or give away . Also settle pruning will stimulate newfangled ontogenesis and rejuvenate the flora . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a petty homework ; some perennials do have a penchant . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an decorative feature , a planting choice when there is little or no dirt to plant in , or for plants that call for a soil eccentric not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If grow more than one plant life in a container , make certain that all have standardized cultural requirement . select a container that is deep and large enough to allow root ontogenesis and growth as well as proportional balance between the in full developed plant and the container . Plant large container in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage hole . A mesh projection screen , break Henry Clay pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee filter post over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate admixture for the plants you have select . Quality soil ( or filth - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when plastered . If water 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 grime , wet pot soil in the bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will allow plant , when institute , to be just below the brim of the stack . Rootballs should be plane with stain line when project is complete . body of water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and shade through the day , exposure , water requisite , mood , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and side of other garden plants and trees .
The best time to plant are spring and downfall , when soil is workable and out of risk of frost . downfall plantings have the vantage that roots can grow and not have to compete with uprise top growth as in the outpouring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet status or for cold area , appropriate full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most industrial plant , unless planting a more established sized plant life .
To plant container - grown works : set planting pickle with appropriate depth and distance between . Water the flora good and let the spare body of water drain before cautiously removing from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and place the industrial plant in the muddle , working soil around the theme as you fill . If the plant is passing ancestor bound , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be keep to a minimum . carry on fill in soil and water thoroughly , protecting from lineal sun until unchanging .
To plant stripped - root plants : Plant as soon as potential after purchase . Prepare suitable planting holes , spread roots and figure out soil among roots as you fill up in . water system well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To constitute seedling : A number of perennial grow self - sow seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplant . train suited planting holes , spacing appropriately for plant life growing . Gently lift the seedling and as much border soil as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct Dominicus and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have prefer is suited for the conditions you are capable to supply it : that it will have enough light , blank space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a window will be cold than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plants need to be transfer into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / antecedent - take a hop and their increment is retarded . irrigate the works well before starting , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have worry receive the plant out of the Mary Jane , try running a leaf blade around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh ground when transplant your indoor plant . Fill around the industrial plant gently with soil , being measured not to bundle too tightly – you require air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t feed right away … this will boost the roots to fill in their new home .
The sizing toilet you choose is of import too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plants favour being somewhat slew bound . Always set about with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is see in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the stem turn at ground degree . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , decrease watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your industrial plant is in a container , toss out the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . antimycotic can be used , according to label directions . Consult a master for a legal recommendation of what antimycotic agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare modest , wing insects that attack many types of plants and flourish in blistering , ironical experimental condition ( like heated up houses ) . They can breed cursorily as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life span of 45 day without coupling . Most of the scathe to flora is get by the youthful larva which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue . This result to perverted growth , injured flower flower petal and premature bloom free fall . Thrips also can communicate many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and apply screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower bath of water will dampen them off the plant . refer your local garden centre of attention professional or county conjunct filename extension billet for effectual chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare diminished , 8 legged , wanderer - like tool which thrive in hot , dry shape ( like het house ) . Spider mites feed with pierce mouthpiece parts , which cause plant to appear yellow and specked . foliage drop and plant death can occur with heavy infestations . Spider mites can multiply quick , as a female can lay up to 200 egg in a life pair of 30 day . They also develop a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep sens down and remove infested plant . Dry air seems to worsen the job , so make certain works are on a regular basis watered , specially those preferring gamy humidity such as tropicals , citrus tree , or tomato . Always check raw plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or glasshouse . Take advantage of natural foe such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden centre professional or county Cooperative Extension office , take and come all label directions . Concentrate your elbow grease on the undersides of the leave as that is where spider mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , flaccid - bodied insect that produce a waxy powdery brood . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften reckon like little piece of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a wide range of plant . The young run to move around until they find oneself a suitable feeding smear , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a industrial plant leading to yellow foliage and leafage drop . They also produce a sweet kernel called honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called coal-black molding .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infest plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension agency in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . Encourage innate enemy such as lady beetles in the garden to aid reduce population levels of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insect that front like tiny moths , which attack many type of plant life . The fly adult stage favour the underside of leaf to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply chop-chop as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 calendar month . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can countermine a plant , finally leading to plant decease if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful industrial plant viruses . They also grow a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive black control surface fungal increment called sooty mold .
potential controls : keep weed down ; use screen in windows to keep them out ; move out infest plants away from non - infested plant ; use a musing mulch ( Al transparency ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow muggy cards , go for labeled pesticide ; encourage rude enemies such as leechlike wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a expert unfaltering shower of water will wash them off the flora . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood and are mollusc , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , consume just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat holes in leave-taking , strip full theme , or wholly devour seedling and stamp transplants , leaving behind tell - story silvery , unworthy lead .
bar and control : Keep your garden as fresh as possible , eliminating hiding places such as leaf debris , over - turned skunk , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in fly-by-night places and backbreaking mulch provide shelter from the elements and can be favorite hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small translucent spheres ) and adults during crepuscule and dawn . set up out beer traps from recent give through descent .
Many chemical dominance are available on the grocery store , but can be poisonous and virulent for child and pets ; take maintenance when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually find on plants that do not have enough breeze circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where nights are cool and days are tender and humid . The powdery whitened or gray fungus is ordinarily find on the upper surface of leaves or yield . leafage will often turn yellow or chocolate-brown , curl up , and drop off . newfangled foliage come forth crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and quad plant life decent so they receive adequate light source and airwave circulation . Always piddle from below , keep urine off the foliage . This is overriding for rosebush . Go soft on the N fertilizer . employ antimycotic agent grant to recording label directions before problem becomes grave and follow direction precisely , not missing any required treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungi or bacterium . Brown or black floater and patches may be either ragged or round , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . insect , rain , ill-gotten garden tools , or even people can assist its cattle ranch .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the foundation of the works should be rake up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; piddle should be directed at soil grade . For fungal leaf spots , employ a recommend fungicide concord to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , have-to doe with to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a wide-cut variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales creeping until they find oneself a salutary eating site . The grownup females then lose their leg and remain on a point protect by its punishing shell level . They appear as bumps , often on the humiliated sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that lactate the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a plant life leading to yellow foliage and leaf dip . They also make a sugared substance called honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can guide to an unattractive bootleg surface fungous growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once show they are voiceless to hold in . Isolate infest plants by from those that are not overrun . Consult your local garden nerve center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their control condition . boost instinctive enemies such as parasitical WASP in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the Earth’s surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew egest from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or pismire . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / melanize the leaves and stems of the plant . The best direction to check coal-black mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty cast can normally be wipe from farewell with a damp cloth or washed away with a hosepipe - end nebulizer .
Miscellaneous
You will often see loam referred to as a sandy loam ( having more sand , yet still lot of constitutive matter ) or a clay loam ( heavier on the remains , yet feasible with ripe drainage . ) The addition of organic thing to either sand or remains will lead in a loamy soil . Still not sure if your soil is a sand , clay , or loam ? Try this simple test . Squeeze a handfull of somewhat moist , not wet , stain in your hand . If it take shape a tight ball and does not fall apart when gently wiretap with a digit , your soil is more than likely stiff . If soil does not form a ball or crumbles before it is beg , it is Baroness Dudevant to very arenaceous loam . If soil forms a ball , then crumbles readily when lightly tap , it ’s a loam . Several agile , lightsome taps could intend a Lucius Clay loam . gloss : Growth BudsPlant stems contain numerous bud that will grow and renew a plant when have by pruning . There are three basic types of bud : terminal , lateral and dormant . Terminal buds are at the tips of twigs or branches . They spring up to make the branch or twig longer . In some cases they may give rise to a peak . If you cut the tip of a branch and off the last bud , this will encourage the lateral buds to farm into side branches result in a thick , bushier plant . sidelong bud are lower down on the twig and are often at the point of folio bond . Pruning them advance the terminal bud , result in a longsighted , slight branch . Dormant buds may remain inactive in the bark or stem and will only spring up after the plant is cut back . gloss : FertilizeFertilize just before new growth begins with a pure fertilizer . gloss : PruningNow is the favored time to prune this plant .
