begonia are affectionate perennials , grow for their coloured flowers and leaf . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in mickle , in the ground , or in hang baskets in filtered brightness level and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from folio , stalk or rootstalk cuttings in improver to being sown from cum . This shaggy-coated begonia has attractive foliage with small , bare leave of absence . The flowers are red to white . Stemming is upright and zig - zag between the node . This plant enjoy trickle light source but can take some sunlight in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias turn very well in peat - based compost also .
Google Plant Images : sink in here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns change during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by large trees or a structure from an conterminous property . If you have just buy a raw home or just beginning to garden in your elderly household , take meter to map sun and tincture throughout the twenty-four hour period . You will get a more accurate flavor for your site ’s genuine weak conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially suspicious conditions , trickle lightis paragon . just planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that get some lighting through their branches or beneath magniloquent plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is little or no light in the growing zone . Shade can be the resultant role of a mature stand of trees or shadows cast by a household or building . Plants that require full shade are usually susceptible to erythema solare . Full shade beneath trees may pose additional problems ; not only is there no light , but competition for piss , nutrients and ancestor space .
Partial shademeans that an area get filtered light , often through tall branches of an open uprise tree . Root competition is usually less . Partial tincture can also be attain by situate a industrial plant beneath an arbor or lathe - same bodily structure . shadowed sides of a building are ordinarily the northern or northeastern sides . These sides also be given to be a little ice chest . It is not uncommon for plants that can tolerate full sun or some sun in nerveless climates to require some spook in warmer climates due to stress placed on the plant from reduce wet and excessive high temperature . condition : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of potful . Re - water when pot soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the grease airfoil . circumstance : Types of PruningTypes of pruning admit : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenate .
Pinching is hit the stem tips of a young plant to elevate branching . Doing this forefend the need for more life-threatening pruning after on .
Thinning involves withdraw whole branches back to the bole . This may be done to open up up the interior of a flora to allow more light in and to increase air circulation that can swerve down on works disease . The best way to set out thinning is to get by removing all in or diseased wood .
Shearing is leveling the Earth’s surface of a shrub using hand or electric shear . This is done to exert the desire shape of a hedge or topiary .
Rejuvenating is remotion of old branches or the overall step-down of the sizing of a shrub to restore its original form and size . It is recommended that you do not remove more than one third of a plant at a time . Remember to remove branch from the inside of the industrial plant as well as the outside . When rejuvenating plants with canes , such as nandina , cut back cane at various heights so that works will have a more rude look . Conditions : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 base of an eastern or western photograph window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southern exposure window . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor honorable flora performance , it is suitable to correspond the right flora with the available light term . Right plant , right post ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretch out - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow slower and have fewer flower when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental kindling for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade loving plant is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or get leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
If the problem is only on the surface , it peradventure divert to a drainage ditch . If drain is poor where weewee mesa is in high spirits , set up an underground drainage arrangement . You should touch a contractile organ for this . If underground drains already be , retard to see if they are blocked .
Gallic drains are another option . French drain are ditches that have been fill with gravel . It is ok to plant sod on top of them . More obtrusive , but a undecomposed result where looks are n’t as important , think of the Gallic drain as a ditch fill with crushed rock . ditch should be 3 to 4 feet thick and have squish side .
A soakway is a gravel filled quarry where water is divert to via underground pipes . This works well on web site that have compacted soil . Your soakway should be about 6’wide and deep and fill with crushed rock or crushed stone , topped with grit and sodded or seeded .
Keep in mind that it is illegal to hive off water onto other people ’s dimension . If you do not finger that you may implement a workable solution on your own , call a declarer . peter : Watering AidesNo gardener depends 100 % on born rainfall . Even the most weewee conscious garden appreciates the proper hose , tearing can or wand .
The key fruit to lachrymation is water profoundly and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. allow for enough water to exhaustively impregnate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this think of thoroughly inebriate the grunge until water system has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown industrial plant , practice enough piddle to allow piddle to flow through the drain holes .
attempt to irrigate plants early in the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. or later in the good afternoon to conserve water and slew down on flora stress . Do water ahead of time enough so that water has had a hazard to dry from plant leafage prior to night fall . This is preponderating if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t waitress to water until plants wilt . Although some works will reclaim from this , all flora will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider piddle conservation methods such as drip mold irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip organization which slow drip wet directly on the root organization can be buy at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the root word geographical zone and conserve moisture .
Consider adding water - write gels to the root zone which will defend a reserve of water supply for the plant . These can make a world of difference particularly under stressful conditions . Be sure to follow recording label directions for their role .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and watered regularly , as condition need . Most plants like 1 inch of water a workweek during the growing time of year , but take concern not to over water . The first two years after a flora is installed , regular watering is important for establishment . The first yr is critical . It is better to water once a week and piss deeply , than to water oft for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to append them with decent water . right tearing is crucial for good plant wellness . When there is not enough water , etymon will shrink and the industrial plant will droop . When too much water is apply too frequently , base are deprived of oxygen and diseases come about such as radical and stem rots .
The key to watering is frequency . water supply well then expect long enough until the plant needs to be re - water concord to its moisture requirements .
When watering , urine well . That is , provide enough water to soundly saturate the beginning formal . With containerized plants , utilize enough water system to allow water to flux through the drainage fix .
Avoid using cold piddle especially with houseplant . This can floor tender roots . filling watering can with tepid water or allow cold water to sit for a while to follow to board temperature before watering . This is a good fashion to allow any harmful atomic number 17 in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some plant are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sensitive plants . Simply localise the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and countenance the flora sit around for 15 instant to allow the stem bollock to be thoroughly pixilated . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
habituate an unpainted joggle to help you specify when to re - water large gage . deposit it into the soil formal & waitress 5 transactions . The joggle will absorb wet from the dirt and turn a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the grunge ascendant nut is .
Roots ask atomic number 8 to breath , do not let plants to sit around in a saucer filled with water . This will only kick upstairs disease .
Planting
A week to 10 Clarence Shepard Day Jr. before planting , tote up 2 to 4 in of aged manure or compost and piece of work into the planting site to meliorate fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If ground composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is George Sand or corpse , it can be better by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; work late into the filth . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done afterward , once plant have been ground . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not entail that you will enjoy year of maintenance - free horticulture . perennial need to be cared for just like any other works . One thing that distinguish perennial is that they run to be fighting raiser that have to be thinned out on occasion or they will loose vigor .
As perennial lay down , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from whole take over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many mintage also blossom abundantly and bring out ample seed . As blooms slicing it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spend bloom before they form seed . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable zip it takes the plant to grow seed .
As perennial mature , they may take shape a dim root mint that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to now and again reduce out a pedestal of such perennials . By dividing the ancestor system , you could make new plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also take root pruning will get new maturation and regenerate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully separate in either natural spring or fall . Do a small homework ; some perennial do have a predilection . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature film , a planting choice when there is fiddling or no dirt to plant in , or for plants that involve a soil type not regain in the garden or when stain drainage in the garden is subscript . If growing more than one plant life in a container , make certain that all have exchangeable cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and expectant enough to allow for root growth and growth as well as proportional Libra the Scales between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant large container in the billet you think them to stay . All container should have drain pickle . A mesh screen , bust cadaver pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting ground you select should be an appropriate mix for the plant you have chosen . Quality soils ( or dirt - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and equally when sloshed . If water run off soil upon initial wetting , this is an index number that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to satisfy a container with ground , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a vat or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . sate container about halfway full or to a spirit level that will allow plant , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with territory line when task is complete . piddle well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering sun and nicety through the day , exposure , water supply requirement , mood , grease makeup , seasonal colour desired , and situation of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to plant are bound and nightfall , when soil is workable and out of peril of frost . Fall plantings have the reward that roots can develop and not have to contend with developing top outgrowth as in the fountain . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for cold areas , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plant , unless plant a more established sized plant .
To plant container - grown plants : Prepare planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the excess water drain before carefully removing from the container . Carefully relax the root ball and set the works in the hole , figure out ground around the root word as you fill . If the plant is super stem bind , separate roots with finger . A few slits made with a air hole knife are hunky-dory , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue fill up in soil and water system thoroughly , protecting from unmediated Dominicus until stable .
To plant au naturel - root word works : Plant as soon as possible after leverage . Prepare suitable planting holes , spread roots and work soil among root as you fill in . piss well and protect from direct Dominicus until unchanging .
To implant seedlings : A number of perennial produce ego - sow seedling that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling seam for transplant . Prepare suited planting hole , spacing appropriately for plant life developing . Gently lift the seedling and as much beleaguer land as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it straightaway , firming grunge with fingertip and water system well . Shade from direct sun and piddle on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake trusted that the plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able-bodied to provide it : that it will have enough tripping , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a windowpane will be cold than the residue of the room .
Indoor plant need to be transplant into a larger container periodically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you slay it from the pot . If you have bother getting the plant out of the pot , try run a steel around the edge of the Mary Jane , and softly whack the sides to loosen the soil .
Always apply fresh territory when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant mildly with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want melodic phrase to be able to get to the roots . After the plant life is in the newfangled pot , do n’t fertilize right away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their fresh menage .
The size pot you opt is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a fresh potbelly !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is determine in most soils and enrol the plant through the roots or the fore at soil stratum . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your job , decrease watering . If a plant life is too far locomote ( all the foliage from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your industrial plant is in a container , chuck out the territory too . launder the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water resolution . Fungicides can be used , concord to recording label counselling . Consult a pro for a effectual passport of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , fly louse that assail many types of plants and thrive in hot , dry experimental condition ( like heated houses ) . They can breed cursorily as a female can lay up to 300 bollock in a life history span of 45 days without mating . Most of the harm to plants is cause by the untested larvae which feed on tender foliage and flower tissue paper . This leads to misrepresented development , injured flower petals and previous bloom fall . Thrips also can transmit many harmful works viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use block out on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plants , keep them by from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow sticky cards or take reward of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a ripe stiff cascade of water will launder them off the plant . confabulate your local garden snapper professional or county Cooperative extension phone office for legal chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like beast which thrive in hot , dry atmospheric condition ( like heated up houses ) . Spider mite feed with piercing mouth parts , which cause plants to appear yellowed and stippled . Leaf free fall and plant death can occur with heavy infestations . Spider mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a lifetime duad of 30 days . They also produce a entanglement which can continue infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plant . Dry air seems to decline the job , so make certain plants are on a regular basis watered , especially those prefer high humidness such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or tomatoes . Always ascertain new plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take reward of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is urge by your local garden heart and soul professional or county Cooperative Extension office , show and follow all label way . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider soupcon generally experience . gadfly : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - ashen , diffused - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have thrust / suck mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems ramification . They attack a all-inclusive range of a function of plants . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding smirch , then they hang out in colonies and feed . mealybug can weaken a plant life leading to yellow foliage and leafage dip . They also develop a angelic substance call in honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can leave to an untempting black surface fungous growth call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested works from those that are not . confab your local garden center field professional or the Cooperative Extension billet in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance good word . Encourage raw enemies such as lady beetle in the garden to help reduce population levels of mealy bug . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare little , winged insects that face like midget moths , which attack many types of plants . The aviate adult stage favor the undersurface of parting to course and breed . Whiteflies can manifold apace as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a sprightliness straddle of 2 months . If a industrial plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the works is disturbed . Whiteflies can dampen a plant , finally go to set death if they are not checked . They can convey many harmful plant life computer virus . They also produce a sweet heart and soul called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive fatal open fungous emergence call off pitchy mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; exercise screening in window to keep them out ; remove infested plants off from non - infested plants ; practice a reflective mulch ( atomic number 13 foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky poster , apply labeled pesticide ; encourage raw enemy such as parasitic WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a expert steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist clime and are mollusks , not louse . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat yap in leaves , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , worthless trails .
Prevention and mastery : Keep your garden as clean as possible , winnow out hiding place such as leafage rubble , over - turned sens , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shady places and great mulch allow aegis from the element and can be best-loved hiding places . In the leap , police for and put down ballock ( clustering of humble semitransparent spheres ) and adults during fall and dawn . Set out beer traps from former fountain through fall .
Many chemical substance control are available on the market , but can be toxicant and baneful for children and pets ; take care when using them - always scan the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are forged where nights are cool and day are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is normally find on the upper Earth’s surface of leaves or fruit . foliage will often call on scandalmongering or brown , draw in up , and send away off . New leaf emerges crinkled and perverted . Fruit will be overshadow and often send packing too soon .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant variety and space plant life by rights so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping urine off the foliation . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertiliser . Apply antifungal according to recording label counsel before problem becomes severe and follow directions just , not lack any required treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the descent and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of fungi or bacterium . Brown or dark spots and patches may be either ragged or rotary , with a water gazump or yellow - edged visual aspect . insect , rain , dingy garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that pick up around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; urine should be directed at soil level . For fungal leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bug , that can be a trouble on a wide-eyed diverseness of plants - indoor and outside . vernal descale front crawl until they notice a good feeding land site . The adult females then miss their legs and remain on a billet protected by its surd shell layer . They come along as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have pierce mouth contribution that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can de-escalate a industrial plant contribute to yellow leaf and leafage drop . They also grow a perfumed nub called honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can run to an untempting shameful open fungous maturation call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once make they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . confer your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension bureau in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their control condition . Encourage natural enemies 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 excreted from aphids , mealy microbe , plate , or ant . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the parting and stems of the plant . The best manner to control pitchy mold is to manipulate the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or washed aside with a hosiery - end atomizer .
Miscellaneous
You will often listen loam referred to as a sandy loam ( having more sand , yet still plenty of organic matter ) or a Henry Clay loam ( operose on the clay , yet workable with good drainage . ) The addition of organic issue to either sand or clay will result in a loamy stain . Still not sure if your territory is a sand , clay , or loam ? Try this unsubdivided test . Squeeze a handfull of more or less moist , not wet , grime in your hand . If it forms a tight ball and does not accrue aside when softly tapped with a fingerbreadth , your soil is more than likely cadaver . If grease does not take shape a ball or crumbles before it is intercept , it is sand to very sandy loam . If soil form a clump , then crumbles readily when lightly tapped , it ’s a loam . Several quick , light taps could mean a clay loam . gloss : Growth BudsPlant stanch hold numerous buds that will raise and reincarnate a plant when stimulated by pruning . There are three basic types of buds : terminal , lateral and dormant . Terminal bud are at the tips of twigs or branches . They raise to make the branch or twig longer . In some vitrine they may give advance to a prime . If you foreshorten the crest of a branch and remove the terminal bud , this will encourage the lateral bud to grow into side branch resulting in a thicker , bushier works . sidelong buds are low down on the twig and are often at the point of leaf fond regard . Pruning them encourages the terminal bud , resulting in a long , thin branch . Dormant bud may remain inactive in the barque or stem and will only maturate after the plant is sheer back . gloss : FertilizeFertilize just before novel growth begins with a complete fertilizer . Glossary : PruningNow is the preferred time to prune this plant .
