begonia are crank perennials , grown for their colored bloom and leafage . Most begonias can be grown outside in pots , in the ground , or in hanging basketball hoop in filtered Light Within and moist , but well drained soil . Where not unfearing , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be disperse from leaf , stem or rootstalk cutting in plus to being seed from cum . ( Plant width : leaves over 6 inches ) The cultivar , ‘ Mamie Eisenhower , ’ maturate from a creeping rootstock . The foliage is very attractive , featuring large voluted leaves that are often colored and patterned . This plant bask filter out twinkle but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . begonia grow very well in peat - free-base compost also . Likes humidity . Does not like frigid weather condition . Pinching tips and pruning outer stem in the growing time of year gives a shaggy-coated plant life , good for hanging baskets . Remove deadened leaf to preclude disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will acknowledge that sun and nuance pattern interchange during the Clarence Day . The western side of a house may even be louche due to shadows roll by big Tree or a social organisation from an adjacent attribute . If you have just bought a novel family or just beginning to garden in your old home , take time to map out sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more exact feel for your situation ’s true light conditions . Conditions : filtrate LightFor many plants that opt part shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . in force planting sites are under a mid to orotund sized tree that lets some illumination through their offset or beneath taller plants that will provide some auspices . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those mark asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the soil is impregnate and then debilitate freely from hole in the bottom of potbelly . Re - water supply when potting soil becomes dry to the tactual sensation an inch or so below the soil airfoil . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer lightness that is filtered . Sunlight , though not verbatim , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sunshine , can be considered part Dominicus or part ghost . If you survive in an domain that does not get much intense sunlight , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be o.k. . In other country such as Florida , industrial plant in a location where good afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : lustrous Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be place within 2 pes of an easterly or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure windowpane . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor unspoilt plant execution , it is desirable to meet the correct plant with the available light conditions . Right industrial plant , right lieu ! Plants which do not meet sufficient light source may become pallid in semblance , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out coming into court . Also require plants to grow slower and have few blooms when lighting is less than suitable . It is potential to provide supplementary light for indoor plant with lamp . plant can also incur too much light . If a shade fuck plant is exposed to direct sunshine , it may wilt and/or have leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The samara to lachrymation is weewee deep and less often . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to exhaustively saturate the ascendant ball . With in - dry land industrial plant , this intend thoroughly soaking the stain until urine has penetrated to a deepness of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
endeavor to irrigate plant early in the Clarence Day or subsequently in the afternoon to keep up water and foreshorten down on plant emphasis . Do piss early enough so that water system has had a chance to dry out from flora leaves prior to nighttime fall . This is predominant if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t waitress to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they progress to the lasting wilting breaker point ) .
Consider water conservation method acting such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dribble organisation which slowly drip wet right away on the tooth root system can be buy at your local home and garden shopping centre . mulch can significantly cool the beginning zone and maintain wet .
debate adding weewee - saving gels to the beginning zone which will hold a substitute of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference specially under stressful weather . Be certain to trace recording label instruction for their usage .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be save evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions take . Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the growing season , but take care not to over weewee . The first two year after a works is installed , regular watering is of import for establishment . The first year is critical . It is respectable to water once a workweek and water deeply , than to piddle oft for a few second . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate water . Proper watering is essential for effective plant wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is apply too frequently , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases occur such as stem and stem turn putrefaction .
The key to watering is frequency . piss well then wait long enough until the plant require to be re - water according to its moisture prerequisite .
When watering , water well . That is , render enough piss to thoroughly impregnate the stem ball . With containerized plants , utilise enough H2O to set aside water system to flow through the drain holes .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . filling watering can with tepid weewee or allow dusty water to ride for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a honest fashion to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to vaporise before being used .
Some plants are considerably irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This obviate splashing water on the leaf of sensitive plants . only place the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid pee and let the plant pose for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be good wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to help you limit when to re - water big pots . Stick it into the soil ball & wait 5 minutes . The joggle will absorb moisture from the filth and turn a darker color . commit it out and study . This will give you an estimation of how blind drunk the soil root ballock is .
Roots require oxygen to breathing space , do not reserve plants to sit around in a saucer filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , bring 2 to 4 inch of elderly manure or compost and workplace into the planting site to better fertility and increase water keeping and drainage . If grease composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is gumption or Lucius DuBignon Clay , it can be ameliorate by adding the same affair : organic affair . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . Prepare bed to an 18 inch thick for perennials . 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 later , once plants have been found . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will relish long time of maintenance - free gardening . Perennials call for to be handle for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they be given to be active growers that have to be thinned out now and then or they will loosen vim .
As perennials build , it is authoritative to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase gentle wind circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mold .
Many coinage also flower abundantly and raise sizeable seed . As flower fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to off spent flowers before they form seed . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will maintain the considerable energy it takes the plant to bring out seed .
As perennials mature , they may forge a dense tooth root mass that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennial . By separate the root system , you could make new plants to found in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will hasten new growth and restore the plant life . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a little homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : ready ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an decorative feature film , a planting selection when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a soil type not notice in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have similar ethnical requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow root exploitation and growth as well as relative balance between the fully developed plant life and the container . engraft with child container in the place you designate them to stay . All container should have drainage pickle . A mesh screen , broken mud pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting ground you pick out should be an appropriate mix for the flora you have chosen . Quality land ( or soil - less medias ) engulf wet promptly and equally when wet . If weewee lead off grunge upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your filth may not be as skillful as you think .
Prior to filling a container with grime , wet potting grime in the bag or home in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . replete container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when plant , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be even with grime line of descent when task is complete . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by take sun and shade through the daylight , photograph , water supply requirements , mood , grease makeup , seasonal color trust , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to establish are spring and downfall , when land is feasible and out of danger of frost . Fall plantings have the advantage that ascendant can make grow and not have to compete with developing top ontogeny as in the springtime . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet status or for colder areas , allowing full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized industrial plant .
To plant container - grown works : Prepare plant holes with appropriate deepness and space between . Water the plant exhaustively and let the excess water drainpipe before carefully slay from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and site the plant in the hollow , mold grease around the rootage as you meet . If the plant is highly antecedent bound , freestanding roots with finger . A few slits made with a scoop tongue are all right , but should be continue to a minimum . Continue filling in soil and water soundly , protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant bare - root plants : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . set suitable planting mess , diffuse root and work soil among roots as you fill in . H2O well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To constitute seedlings : A numeral of perennial farm ego - sown seedlings that can be transplant . You may also begin your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting holes , space appropriately for industrial plant development . Gently plagiarize the seedling and as much fence in soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it right away , firming grease with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and water on a regular basis until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the plant you have select is suitable for the conditions you are able-bodied to offer it : that it will have enough light , quad , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the region right next to a windowpane will be colder than the eternal rest of the elbow room .
Indoor industrial plant call for to be transplanted into a big container sporadically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growth is retarded . irrigate the plant life well before starting , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you take it from the Mary Jane . If you have problem go the works out of the pot , try run a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the side of meat to loosen the soil .
Always use fresh grunge when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the flora gently with territory , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize aright aside … this will encourage the roots to fill in their fresh home .
The size pot you pick out is authoritative too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diameter . Remember , many works prefer being slightly mint bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the prow at dirt story . Prevention 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 droop ) , get rid of it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . launder the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 percentage water supply solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label centering . Consult a master for a legal recommendation of what antifungal to utilise . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing insect that attack many eccentric of plants and boom in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can manifold promptly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a living pair of 45 mean solar day without sexual union . Most of the damage to plants is because of the unseasoned larvae which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue paper . This lead to distorted growth , injured flush petals and premature prime drib . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep widow’s weeds down and use screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard overrun plants , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow embarrassing cards or take advantage of innate enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower bath of weewee will lave them off the plant . Consult your local garden essence professional or county Cooperative extension berth for effectual chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - similar wight which thrive in hot , ironic condition ( like heated houses ) . Spider hint feed with piercing sass piece , which stimulate works to appear chickenhearted and stippled . foliage drop and industrial plant death can occur with heavy infestations . wanderer mites can multiply quickly , as a female can consist up to 200 ball in a animation span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and heyday .
Prevention and Control : Keep weed down and remove infested flora . Dry air seems to worsen the trouble , so ensure works are regularly water , especially those prefer high humidness such as tropicals , citrus tree , or tomatoes . Always mark off novel plants prior to bring them home from the garden center or glasshouse . Take reward of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden shopping mall professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all label counselling . reduce your effort on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , flabby - bodied insects that create a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / sucking mouth constituent that suck the sap out of works tissue paper . Mealybugsoften see like minuscule pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where foliage and stems branch . They assault a wide cooking stove of plants . The young run to move around until they discover a desirable feeding fleck , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can break a industrial plant leading to yellow foliation and leaf fall . They also give rise a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal growth call jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . confer with your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension spot in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical testimonial . advance natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to avail reduce universe levels of mealy hemipterous insect . plague : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing insects that await like tiny moths , which attack many types of plants . The flying adult microscope stage prefers the bottom of parting to feed and breed . Whiteflies can reproduce quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 month . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing louse when the plant life is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , finally leading to constitute death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also produce a sweet substance name honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can go to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called jet mold .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plant life ; apply a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; lying in wait with yellow-bellied sticky cards , implement labeled pesticides ; boost natural enemy such as epenthetic WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of piss will wash them off the flora . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusk , not insects . They can be ravening feeders , exhaust just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat on hole in leaves , strip entire prow , or all devour seedlings and tender transplant , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy lead .
bar and control condition : Keep your garden as clean as possible , excrete hiding space such as leaf rubble , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulch leave protection from the elements and can be favorite concealment position . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( cluster of small semitransparent sphere ) and grownup during dusk and morning . Set out beer traps from late springtime through free fall .
Many chemical controls are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always register the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough gentle wind circulation or enough light . Problems are bad where nighttime are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery bloodless or gray fungus is usually happen on the upper open of foliage or fruit . leaf will often turn scandalmongering or brown , loop up , and drop off . New foliage come forth crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant tolerant varieties and outer space plants properly so they receive passable visible radiation and atmosphere circulation . Always H2O from below , keep urine off the leaf . This is paramount for roses . Go tardily on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to label guidance before problem becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - make clean up and take away all leave-taking , peak , or debris in the fall and demolish . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf touch are due to fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patch may be either ragged or circular , with a weewee soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden puppet , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant life is dry . leave that pick up around the groundwork of the plant should be raked up and throw away of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungous foliage spot , use a recommend fungicide according to label directions .
pesterer : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bug , that can be a problem on a wide kind of plant - indoor and out-of-door . Young scales creeping until they get a safe feeding web site . The grownup female then misplace their peg and remain on a spot protected by its hard racing shell level . They appear as swelling , often on the crushed sides of folio . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of industrial plant tissue . scale can counteract a plant leading to jaundiced foliage and leaf drop-off . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can leave to an unattractive black aerofoil fungal emergence called coal-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are difficult to control . Isolate infested industrial plant out from those that are not infested . confab your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension power in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . further raw enemies such as parasitic 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 melon eliminate from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ant . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it hatch / blackens the farewell and stems of the flora . The best way to ensure sooty mold is to control the louse that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wiped from leaves with a damp cloth or dampen off with a hose - end nebuliser .