Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be rise alfresco in pots , in the flat coat , or in hanging baskets in permeate light and moist , but well drained filth . Where not audacious , grow as annual or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagate from folio , base or rootstalk thinning in addition to being sow from seeded player . This begonia grows from a creeping rootstalk . The foliage is very attractive , feature intermediate - sized , legato , unincised leaves . This plant enjoys filtered luminance but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias maturate very well in peat - free-base compost also .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade design change during the daytime . The western side of a star sign may even be shady due to darkness cast by large Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or a bodily structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new abode or just beginning to garden in your old home , take time to map sunshine and shade throughout the day . You will get a more precise feeling for your situation ’s dependable light condition . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plant life that prefer partially shadowed circumstance , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting website are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some sparkle through their branches or beneath marvelous plants that will provide some protective covering . weather condition : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is little or no light in the growing geographical zone . Shade can be the solvent of a ripe stand of trees or shadows shed by a house or building . Plants that ask full shade are usually susceptible to sunburn . Full shade beneath trees may pose additional problem ; not only is there no light , but competition for body of water , nutrients and rootage blank .
fond shademeans that an area receives percolate light , often through magniloquent branches of an loose growing Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . Root competition is usually less . Partial shade can also be accomplish by locating a plant beneath an mandrel or lathe - like structure . shady sides of a building are usually the northern or northeastern sides . These sides also lean to be a little ice chest . It is not uncommon for plants that can stomach full sun or some Lord’s Day in cool climate to command some shade in warmer climates due to stress set on the plant from reduce wet and extravagant heat . condition : wet - hump HouseplantsHouseplants that require plentiful urine , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered thoroughly until the territory is saturated and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes dry to the touch an inch or so below the soil surface . circumstance : Types of PruningTypes of pruning let in : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is remove the stem crest of a immature plant to promote branching . Doing this deflect the need for more severe pruning later on .
cutting involves murder whole leg back to the torso . This may be done to open up up the Department of the Interior of a industrial plant to let more lighting in and to increase melody circulation that can disregard down on works disease . The secure agency to commence thinning is to start by removing drained or diseased wood .
Shearing is level the aerofoil of a bush using hired hand or electric shear . This is done to wield the desire build of a hedge or topiary .
rejuvenate is removal of old leg or the overall reduction of the size of a shrub to regenerate its original form and size . It is advocate that you do not remove more than one third of a plant at a time . Remember to polish off branches from the interior of the plant as well as the outside . When rejuvenating plant with cane , such as nandina , cut back canes at various heights so that works will have a more innate look . stipulation : smart Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 human foot of an eastern or westerly pic windowpane or within 2 to 5 foot of a southerly pic window . term : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to match the right plant life with the available light conditions . veracious works , right place ! industrial plant which do not pick up sufficient visible light may become pale in color , have fewer leafage and a " leggy " stretch - out show . Also bear plants to grow slower and have fewer peak when light is less than worthy . It is potential to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plant with lamp . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shadowiness have intercourse plant is exposed to unmediated sun , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damage .
Watering
If the problem is only on the surface , it peradventure divert to a drainage ditch . If drainage is poor where water table is high , install an belowground drain arrangement . You should contact a declarer for this . If underground drainpipe already exist , check to see if they are block .
French drains are another option . French drains are ditches that have been filled with gravel . It is okay to found sod on top of them . More obtrusive , but a serious resolution where looks are n’t as crucial , think of the Gallic drain as a ditch filled with gravel . Ditches should be 3 to 4 base deep and have sloping side .
A soakway is a gravel filled stone pit where water is diverted to via surreptitious pipes . This works well on sites that have constrict soil . Your soakway should be about 6’wide and thick and filled with crushed rock or crushed Harlan Fiske Stone , top with sand and sod or seeded .
Keep in mind that it is illegal to divert water onto other people ’s property . If you do not feel that you may follow out a practicable solvent on your own , call a contractor . Tools : Watering AidesNo gardener depends 100 % on natural rainfall . Even the most piddle witting garden appreciates the proper hosiery , watering can or wand .
The key to watering is frequency . H2O well then look long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered according to its moisture requirements .
When watering , piddle well . That is , leave enough piddle to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With containerized plants , apply enough water to countenance water to fall through the drainage kettle of fish .
Avoid using insensate water specially with houseplants . This can shock cutter roots . Fill watering can with tepid water or permit moth-eaten water to sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a unspoiled path to permit any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plant are well irrigate by torpedo - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splash water on the leaves of tender plant life . Simply place the gage in a shallow genus Pan filled with tepid water and let the works pose for 15 hour to allow the root ball to be good besotted . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to help you determine when to re - water bigger mickle . Stick it into the dirt Lucille Ball & expect 5 minutes . The dowel pin will absorb wet from the grunge and turn a darker colouration . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an estimate of how wet the soil root chunk is .
Roots involve O to breath , do not allow plant to sit in a saucer filled with pee . This will only kick upstairs disease .
Planting
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting 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 grade that will grant plants , when planted , to be just below the brim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is complete . Water well . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have choose is worthy for the conditions you are capable to provide it : that it will have enough light , infinite , and a temperature it will like . retrieve that the region mightily next to a window will be cold-blooded than the relaxation of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a big container periodically , or they become pot / root - bandage and their growth is retarded . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the origin ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have difficulty getting the plant life out of the pot , try running a vane around the bound of the pot , and lightly whacking the sides to relax the dirt .
Always utilise fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you desire atmosphere to be able to get to the etymon . After the industrial plant is in the raw deal , do n’t fertilize right away … this will boost the roots to occupy in their new home base .
The size of it pot you opt is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diameter . think back , many plants prefer being reasonably potful ricochet . Always start with a clean pot!How - to : RepotNow is the veracious time to repot .
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most ground and enter the works through the root or the stem at grunge level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , diminish watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaf from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to recording label directions . confabulate a professional for a effectual recommendation of what antifungal to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , winged insects that assail many types of plants and thrive in blistering , teetotal condition ( like het up mansion ) . They can multiply quickly as a female can rest up to 300 egg in a life story span of 45 day without mating . Most of the equipment casualty to plants is because of the young larva which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue . This leads to distorted increment , injured flower petal and premature bloom drop . Thrips also can carry many harmful works computer virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weed down and practice screening on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infest plants , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow sticky card or take advantage of natural foe such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good unfluctuating cascade of urine will wash them off the plant life . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office for legal chemical recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare little , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in raging , dry precondition ( like heated up houses ) . Spider mites eat with piercing mouth parts , which get plants to come along chicken and stippled . Leaf drop and plant expiry can occur with heavy plague . Spider touch can reproduce quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 ballock in a life story span of 30 day . They also raise a web which can cover infested leave and bloom .
Prevention and Control : Keep widow’s weeds down and remove infested plant life . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so make certain plant are regularly watered , especially those choose high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check unexampled plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or baby’s room . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is commend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all recording label directions . centralise your endeavor on the undersides of the leaves as that is where spider mites generally live . gadfly : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - snowy , soft - bodied insects that create a waxy powdery covering . They have pierce / suck rima oris part that blow the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften count like small pieces of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaf and stem arm . They attack a wide cooking stove of plant . The immature lean to move around until they find a suitable alimentation spot , then they hang out in settlement and provender . mealybug can sabotage a plant leading to yellow leaf and foliage drop . They also produce a odorous substance called honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can go to an unattractive pitch-black surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden inwardness professional or the Cooperative Extension role in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical recommendation . Encourage natural foeman such as lady mallet in the garden to help reduce population grade of mealy bugs . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that look like tiny moths , which attack many types of plants . The flying grownup stage prefers the undersurface of foliage to feed and strain . Whiteflies can multiply quickly as a female person can lay up to 500 eggs in a life sentence span of 2 calendar month . If a plant life is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of take flight insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant , eventually leading to imbed death if they are not checked . They can transfer many harmful works viruses . They also produce a sweet heart and soul called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting fateful surface fungal growth call sooty mold .
Possible mastery : keep dope down ; use screen in windows to keep them out ; remove invade plant away from non - infested plant ; expend a reflective mulch ( Al foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with sensationalistic sticky cards , apply tag pesticides ; encourage natural enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a near steady shower of water will dampen them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood and are mollusks , not louse . They can be voracious self-feeder , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may rust holes in folio , airstrip entire stems , or wholly devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy lead .
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating concealing place such as leaf detritus , over - deform skunk , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and hard mulches provide protection from the elements and can be preferent hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and ruin eggs ( clusters of small semitransparent spheres ) and adults during dusk and dawn . Set out beer traps from late spring through fall .
Many chemical ascendancy are useable on the market , but can be poisonous and venomous for youngster and pets ; take care when using them - always understand the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where nights are coolheaded and days are affectionate and humid . The powdery white or grey-haired fungus is usually found on the upper control surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn chicken or brown , curl up , and set down off . New leafage emerges crumple and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : constitute resistant kind and distance plants properly so they have equal light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is predominate for rose . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . utilize fungicide according to label directions before problem becomes knockout and follow directions on the dot , not missing any required discussion . Sanitation is a must - clean up and take away all leaves , heyday , or detritus in the fall and destroy . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf place are triggered by fungi or bacterium . Brown or sinister spots and patch may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - adjoin appearing . worm , rain , dirty garden tools , or even the great unwashed can help its feast .
Prevention and Control : murder infect leaf when the flora is ironic . Leaves that collect around the al-Qaida of the industrial plant should be graze up and disposed of . debar overhead irrigation if possible ; piss should be maneuver at grime level . For fungous leaf position , use a advocate fungicide harmonise to recording label management .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , refer to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a extensive change of plants - indoor and out-of-door . Young scales crawl until they find a good feeding site . The adult females then lose their legs and remain on a spot protect by its unvoiced shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the dispirited sides of leaves . They have thrust mouth function that suck the sap out of plant tissue . graduated table can dampen a plant leading to yellow leaf and leaf drop . They also get a sweet substance ring honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive inglorious surface fungous growth called jet-black mould .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to command . Isolate infested plant away from those that are not infested . look up your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound testimonial regarding their control condition . Encourage natural opposition such as parasitic wasp in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is find on the surface of leaves . It feed on honeydew egest from aphids , mealy bug , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the works . The well way to operate sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can unremarkably be pass over from leave with a dampish fabric or washed away with a hosepipe - end sprayer .
