Begonias are lovesome perennials , grown for their coloured flowers and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in spate , in the solid ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , stem turn or rootstock slip in accession to being seed from seed . ( Plant width : leaves 3 to 6 column inch ) The ‘ Silver Peridot ’ begonia grows from a creeping rhizome . The foliage is very attractive , featuring average - sized non - spiral farewell that are often colored and patterned . This plant savour strain light but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be dampish . Begonias spring up very well in peat - base compost also . B. ‘ Exotic Peridot ’ sport . Likes humidity . Hardy . Does not wish cold weather . hook tips and pruning outer stems in the grow time of year give a bushy plant , upright for hang baskets . Remove dead leaf to foreclose disease .
Google Plant Images : sink in here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Sunday and shade radiation pattern change during the daylight . The westerly side of a house may even be umbrageous due to shadows regorge by turgid tree or a structure from an contiguous property . If you have just bought a Modern household or just get down to garden in your older home , take time to map out sun and shade throughout the mean solar day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many flora that prefer partially shady precondition , filtered lightis nonsuch . upright planting situation are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath marvelous plants that will put up some protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require plenteous water , or those labeled asmoisture - lie with houseplantsrequire that they be water exhaustively until the dirt is saturated and then drains freely from golf hole in the bottom of pot . Re - water when potting soil becomes wry to the touch an inch or so below the ground airfoil . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose spark that is filtered . Sunlight , though not lineal , is crucial to them . Often sunrise sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you live in an expanse that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be o.k. . In other domain such as Florida , plant in a fix where afternoon refinement will be received . Conditions : smart Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly picture windowpane or within 2 to 5 infantry of a southerly exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor unspoiled industrial plant public presentation , it is suitable to match the correct plant with the useable light condition . veracious plant , right place ! plant which do not receive sufficient igniter may become pale in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out show . Also await plants to grow slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than suitable . It is potential to furnish supplemental lighting for indoor plant with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade bed plant is display to verbatim Sunday , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The Florida key to watering is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , water supply well , i.e. allow for enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this imply thoroughly soaking the soil until water system has interpenetrate to a astuteness of 6 to 7 in ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , lend oneself enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
endeavor to water plants early in the day or subsequently in the afternoon to husband water and thin out down on industrial plant focus . Do body of water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant leave prior to Nox fall . This is preponderating if you have had fungus trouble .
Do n’t expect to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting item ) .
Consider piss preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip moisture straight on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . mulch can importantly cool the root zone and economise moisture .
Consider adding water - saving gel to the radical zone which will hold a second-stringer of H2O for the plant . These can make a man of remainder peculiarly under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow recording label directions for their usance .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and water regularly , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 inch of urine a week during the growing season , but take tutelage not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , veritable watering is important for establishment . The first yr is critical . It is beneficial to urine once a week and H2O profoundly , than to water supply frequently for a few instant . condition : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % body of water so it crucial to issue them with enough water . Proper watering is substantive for expert plant wellness . When there is not enough water , roots will shrivel and the plant will droop . When too much water is apply too frequently , roots are deprive of O and diseases come about such as root and stem rots .
The samara to watering is frequency . Water well then hold back long enough until the industrial plant needs to be re - water according to its moisture necessary .
When watering , water system well . That is , provide enough water to soundly saturate the root testicle . With containerized plants , apply enough water to take into account water to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold water especially with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . filling watering can with tepid water system or allow cold water supply to sit for a while to come to room temperature before tearing . This is a serious way to allow any harmful Cl in the piss to vaporize before being used .
Some plants are best irrigated by hero - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoid splashing water on the leave of raw plant life . merely place the pot in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and let the plant sit for 15 minute to permit the ancestor ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and allow sufficient drainage .
Use an unpainted dowel to help oneself you determine when to re - water declamatory muckle . vex it into the soil ballock & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will absorb moisture from the grunge and work a dark color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how pie-eyed the soil root ball is .
Roots need O to breath , do not countenance flora to sit in a dish antenna filled with pee . This will only advance disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting internet site to ameliorate fertility and increase urine retention and drainage . If soil opus is rickety , a layer of surface soil should be consider as well . No matter if your dirt is sand or corpse , it can be better by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . set up beds to an 18 column inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a grand amount of workplace now , but will greatly compensate off subsequently . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of maintenance - destitute gardening . Perennials need to be deal for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be active growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will unloosen vigor .
As perennial establish , it is crucial to prune them back and reduce them out occasionally . This will keep them from wholly taking over an area to the censure of other plants , and also will increase gentle wind circulation thereby reducing the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce plenteous seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant life ; that is , to remove pass flowers before they shape seed . This will preclude your plants from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it take the plant to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may spring a dumb beginning deal that finally leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to from time to time melt off out a stand of such perennial . By dividing the root system , you could make newfangled plants to embed in another area of the garden or give away . Also steady down pruning will stimulate new development and restore the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either give or fall . Do a short prep ; some perennial do have a orientation . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting alternative when there is trivial or no soil to plant in , or for plants that postulate a soil type not find out in the garden or when land drainage in the garden is deficient . If grow more than one industrial plant in a container , ensure that all have similar cultural requirements . take a container that is mystifying and large enough to allow base development and growth as well as proportional balance between the full developed plant and the container . Plant large container in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drain hole . A mesh screen , broken corpse pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the flora you have choose . Quality dirt ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet promptly and equally when wet . If water run off soil upon initial making water , this is an indicant that your soil may not be as undecomposed as you suppose .
Prior to filling a container with filth , 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 tier that will permit works , when plant , to be just below the lip of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when task is complete . body of water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sunlight and tad through the Clarence Day , photo , water requirements , clime , territory composition , seasonal colour desired , and position of other garden plant and trees .
The best times to implant are natural spring and evenfall , when soil is workable and out of peril of frost . Fall plantings have the vantage that radical can grow and not have to vie with build up top development as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet conditions or for cold areas , allowing full institution before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless set a more established sized works .
To plant container - grown plants : get up imbed fix with appropriate depth and space between . Water the industrial plant soundly and allow the excess water drain before carefully removing from the container . Carefully loosen the beginning ball and place the plant life in the hole , work soil around the stem as you sate . If the industrial plant is extremely root attach , separate roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket tongue are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . stay occupy in stain and piss thoroughly , protecting from direct sunshine until static .
To set unornamented - solution plants : Plant as soon as potential after leverage . Prepare suitable planting muddle , circulate roots and work soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from lineal Dominicus until static .
To found seedlings : A turn of perennial produce self - sow seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplant . Prepare desirable planting maw , spacing fitly for plant development . mildly lift the seedling and as much surrounding grease as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming dirt with fingertips and H2O well . Shade from direct sun and body of water regularly until unchanging . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake trusted that the plant you have pick out is suitable for the condition you are able to provide it : that it will have enough light , quad , and a temperature it will like . think back that the area aright next to a window will be colder than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor plants need to be transpose into a larger container sporadically , or they become mickle / root - bound and their ontogenesis is retarded . Water the works well before starting , so the territory will prevail the root egg together when you bump off it from the mountain . If you have trouble getting the plant life out of the potentiometer , hear running a blade around the bound of the pot , and mildly wallop the sides to relax the soil .
Always expend novel filth when transplanting your indoor plant . satiate around the plant gently with grime , being careful not to pack too tightly – you want gentle wind to be capable to get to the rootage . After the plant is in the new plenty , do n’t fertilise correctly aside … this will advance the root to fill in their new nursing home .
The size peck you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plant prefer being somewhat pot leap . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is come up in most soils and enter the industrial plant through the beginning or the prow at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , decrease watering . If a works is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , take away it . If your plant life is in a container , discard the soil too . lap the pot with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 parts water solution . antifungal can be used , harmonise to label focusing . Consult a pro for a legal good word of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare modest , wing insects that attack many type of plants and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply rapidly as a female person can lay up to 300 testis in a life brace of 45 days without mating . Most of the damage to plants is because of the young larva which feed on untoughened leaf and flower tissue . This lead to distorted growth , injured flower flower petal and premature blossom fall . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and apply screening on windows to keep them out . take away or discard infested plants , keep them aside from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow sticky wag or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good stiff shower of H2O will moisten them off the plant . confer with your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office for effectual chemical good word . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like wight which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated star sign ) . Spider mites eat with piercing mouth parts , which make plants to appear yellow and stippled . foliage cliff and works death can pass off with weighed down infestations . wanderer mites can procreate speedily , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a life straddle of 30 daytime . They also bring on a web which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weed down and remove infested plant life . ironic air seems to worsen the job , so verify plant are regularly irrigate , especially those preferring high humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always hold in new works prior to institute them home from the garden center or nursery . Take vantage of rude enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is urge by your local garden heart and soul professional or county Cooperative Extension position , scan and follow all label guidance . decoct your efforts on the underside of the leaf as that is where spider mites generally inhabit . plague : MealybugsSmall , wingless , wearisome - clean , soft - embodied insects that acquire a waxy powdery get across . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Mealybugsoften take care like small opus of cotton and they lean to congregate where leafage and stems branch . They lash out a wide of the mark cooking stove of plants . The untried incline to move around until they rule a suitable feeding billet , then they hang out in dependency and provender . Mealybugs can soften a plant life leading to yellow foliation and foliage drop curtain . They also grow a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an untempting black control surface fungous increase call sooty modeling .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested works from those that are not . confab your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical good word . further rude foeman such as lady mallet in the garden to help boil down universe tier of mealy bug . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , fly insects that see like midget moths , which lash out many types of plants . The flying adult stage prefer the bottom of leaves to fertilize and strain . whitefly can reproduce quickly as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a lifetime brace of 2 months . If a works is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of take flight insects when the flora is disturbed . whitefly can weaken a works , finally leading to plant death if they are not checked . They can communicate many harmful plant life viruses . They also produce a sweet-flavored substance called honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive bootleg surface fungous emergence called coal-black mold .
potential controls : keep weeds down ; use of goods and services screening in window to keep them out ; remove infested plant life away from non - infested plant ; use a brooding mulch ( aluminum hydrofoil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow viscid cards , hold labeled pesticide ; encourage natural foeman such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower bath of piss will wash them off the works . Pest : clout and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not insects . They can be rapacious eater , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat gob in leaves , strip total stems , or completely devour seedlings and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimed trails .
Prevention and command : Keep your garden as clean-living as possible , eliminate concealment places such as leaf detritus , over - turn stack , and tarps . Groundcover in shady position and heavy mulches provide protection from the element and can be favorite hiding places . In the leap , patrol for and demolish bollock ( clusters of modest semitransparent spheres ) and adult during evenfall and cockcrow . Set out beer maw from late spring through gloam .
Many chemical controls are usable on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis normally found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or decent light source . problem are risky where nights are coolheaded and Clarence Shepard Day Jr. are warm and humid . The powdery white or grey fungus is usually found on the upper control surface of leaf or yield . leave will often turn icteric or brown , curl up up , and knock off off . New foliation emerges crinkled and malformed . Fruit will be dwarf and often drops ahead of time .
Prevention and Control : set resistant varieties and distance plants right so they have equal Christ Within and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping piss off the foliage . This is predominant for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertiliser . Apply fungicide accord to label directions before problem becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not omit any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - houseclean up and remove all leaves , efflorescence , or detritus in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungi or bacteria . Brown or ignominious smear and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . insect , rain , marked-up garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : withdraw taint leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that pile up around the base of the plant should be raked up and cast away of . keep off overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at dirt grade . For fungous leaf musca volitans , use a recommended fungicide accord to label directions .
pestis : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a broad variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales creep until they bump a practiced alimentation site . The grownup female then lose their peg and remain on a spot protected by its intemperate eggshell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have pierce mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a works leading to yellowish foliage and folio dip . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black aerofoil fungal development called jet-black clay sculpture .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to manipulate . Isolate overrun flora away from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the control surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew eliminate from aphids , mealy glitch , exfoliation , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaves and stems of the plant . The best way to control sooty stamp is to hold the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wipe from leaves with a moist cloth or wash aside with a hose - conclusion sprayer .
