begonia are lovesome perennial , grown for their colorful flowers and leaf . Most begonia can be grown outdoors in pots , in the dry land , or in cling basketball hoop in filtered light and moist , but well drain land . Where not hardy , turn as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagated from foliage , stem turn or rhizome cuttings in add-on to being inseminate from seed . This begonia grow from a creeping rootstock . The foliage is very attractive , featuring medium - sized , smooth , unincised folio . The flowers are snowy and blossom wintertime through spring . This industrial plant enjoys filtered light but can take some Dominicus in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia grow very well in peat - based compost also .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will observe that Dominicus and shade form change during the daytime . The westerly side of a planetary house may even be shady due to shadows cast by large tree or a social organisation from an next property . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your older plate , take metre to map out sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true light condition . Conditions : dribble LightFor many plants that opt partially shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plant that will provide some protection . condition : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is little or no light in the growing geographical zone . Shade can be the result of a mature stand of trees or shadow cast by a house or building . Plants that require full spook are usually susceptible to sunburn . Full shade beneath trees may pose extra job ; not only is there no light , but competition for water , nutrients and root quad .
fond shademeans that an area receives filter out light , often through magniloquent branches of an open growing Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . Root competition is usually less . fond shade can also be achieve by locating a plant beneath an arbor or lathe - like structure . funny sides of a building are commonly the northerly or northeastern sides . These side also run to be a little cooler . It is not rare for plant that can support full sun or some sun in cooler mood to require some shade in warmer mood due to tenseness place on the industrial plant from reduced moisture and unreasonable heat . condition : wet - roll in the hay HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample H2O , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be watered soundly until the soil is impregnate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - pee when potting soil becomes ironic to the touch an inch or so below the soil control surface . circumstance : Types of PruningTypes of pruning let in : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is remove the prow summit of a young plant to promote branching . Doing this avoids the motive for more severe pruning later on .
cutting involve move out whole branches back to the proboscis . This may be done to open up the Department of the Interior of a plant to have more light in and to increase breeze circulation that can reduce down on plant disease . The honorable elbow room to begin cutting is to begin by take out dead or pathological wood .
Shearing is flush the surface of a shrub using hired man or galvanizing shear . This is done to maintain the desire conformation of a hedge or topiary .
rejuvenate is removal of one-time subdivision or the overall reduction of the size of it of a shrub to bushel 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 move out branch from the inside of the plant as well as the outside . When rejuvenate plants with cane , such as nandina , cut back cane at various height so that plant will have a more natural look . condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly exposure windowpane or within 2 to 5 pes of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best industrial plant performance , it is desirable to match the correct flora with the available wanton conditions . Right plant , right place ! plant life which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in coloration , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " extend - out coming into court . Also await plants to develop slower and have few bloom when brightness level is less than suitable . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also find too much Christ Within . If a shade loving plant life is exhibit to direct sun , it may wilt and/or stimulate leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
If the job is only on the surface , it maybe divert to a drainage ditch . If drainage is misfortunate where water system table is high , install an underground drain system . You should contact a contractor for this . If underground drains already exist , check to see if they are blocked .
Gallic drains are another choice . French drains are ditches that have been filled with gravel . It is okay to plant sod on top of them . More obtrusive , but a skilful solution where looks are n’t as important , think of the French waste pipe as a ditch filled with gravel . Ditches should be 3 to 4 feet deep and have slop sides .
A soakway is a gravel fill up colliery where water is divert to via cloak-and-dagger pipes . This works well on sites that have constrict filth . Your soakway should be about 6’wide and abstruse and filled with crushed rock or crushed Edward Durell Stone , topped with Baroness Dudevant and sodded or seed .
Keep in mind that it is illegal to divert water onto other citizenry ’s property . If you do not find that you could implement a feasible solution on your own , call a contractor . Tools : Watering AidesNo gardener depends 100 % on natural rainfall . Even the most water supply conscious garden appreciates the proper hose , tearing can or sceptre .
The key to watering is piddle deep and less often . When lacrimation , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root glob . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly pluck the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , apply enough water to allow for water system to flow through the drainage hole .
seek to water works early in the day or later in the good afternoon to conserve water and shorten down on plant life emphasis . Do water early enough so that water supply has had a chance to dry out from plant leave prior to dark fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water system until plants wilt . Although some industrial plant will recover from this , all plant will exit if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting head ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip moisture directly on the origin system can be purchase at your local home and garden core . Mulches can significantly cool off the root zone and maintain wet .
think lend water - saving gels to the root geographical zone which will reserve a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under nerve-wracking term . Be certain to follow label direction for their usage .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions ask . Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two age after a plant is instal , steady watering is important for establishment . The first class is decisive . It is better to H2O once a week and water deeply , than to piddle frequently for a few minutes . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it significant to supply them with passable water . Proper watering is of the essence for adept plant wellness . When there is not enough water , radical will wither and the plant will droop . When too much pee is applied too frequently , roots are deprived of oxygen and diseases come such as root and stem guff .
The key to lacrimation is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant postulate to be re - irrigate according to its wet necessity .
When watering , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root glob . With containerized industrial plant , put on enough body of water to admit water to flow through the drainage holes .
stave off using cold water specially with houseplants . This can offend tender roots . filling lacrimation can with tepid water or allow frigid pee to sit for a while to come to board temperature before watering . This is a right way to allow any harmful chlorine in the weewee to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are considerably irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This avoids splashing water on the leaves of sore plant . Simply place the locoweed in a shallow genus Pan filled with tepid water and let the flora posture for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be thoroughly besotted . Take out and earmark sufficient drainage .
utilise an unpainted joggle to aid you learn when to re - water larger good deal . Stick it into the stain ball & hold off 5 minutes . The dowel pin will engross moisture from the soil and turn a darker color . Pull it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the grime ascendant ball is .
beginning ask O to breather , do not allow plants to sit in a saucer filled with water . This will only advance disease .
Planting
A workweek to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 in of aged manure or compost and work into the planting website to ameliorate fertility and increase water retentiveness and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your stain is sand or clay , it can be improved by sum the same affair : organic thing . The more , the better ; function deeply into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch inscrutable for perennial . This will seem like a marvelous amount of work now , but will greatly make up off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once works have been demonstrate . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy yr of sustentation - costless gardening . Perennials need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that make out perennials is that they tend to be fighting growers that have to be slim down out from time to time or they will loosen heartiness .
As perennials found , it is authoritative to prune them back and reduce them out now and again . This will prevent them from completely take over an area to the riddance of other plant , and also will increase air circulation thereby reduce the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and farm ample source . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your flora ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they constitute seed . This will prevent your plants from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable DOE it takes the plant to create seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a dense tooth root masses that eventually leads to a less vigorous flora . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By part the base organisation , you could make new plant to plant in another country of the garden or give away . Also steady down pruning will stimulate raw growth and regenerate the plant life . Most perennials may be successfully split in either spring or fall . Do a little prep ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an ornamental feature , a planting choice when there is fiddling or no soil to plant in , or for plant that require a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , make trusted that all have similar cultural requisite . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow root development and growth as well as proportional balance between the in full developed works and the container . set large container in the spot you intend them to stay . All container should have drainage hole . A mesh topology projection screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee filter locate over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting ground you select should be an appropriate mixture for the plant you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) soak up moisture promptly and evenly when wet . If water race off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your filth may not be as full as you suppose .
Prior to filling a container with filth , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a vat or lawn cart so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a storey that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the brim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil dividing line when undertaking is over . H2O well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by regard sun and wraith through the day , photograph , piss requirements , climate , soil war paint , seasonal color desired , and place of other garden flora and trees .
The honorable times to constitute are spring and autumn , when soil is viable and out of peril of frost . gloaming planting have the advantage that root can grow and not have to contend with develop top growth as in the fountain . Spring is more suitable for perennials that dislike wet condition or for colder areas , provide full formation before first winter . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most industrial plant , unless planting a more established sized flora .
To plant container - grow plants : educate planting hollow with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and let the surplus piss drain before carefully take from the container . cautiously loosen the root ball and set the flora in the hole , bring territory around the roots as you satisfy . If the plant is highly root bound , freestanding roots with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be save to a lower limit . Continue filling in soil and water thoroughly , protecting from unmediated sun until unchanging .
To implant bare - root plants : Plant as shortly as possible after purchase . ready worthy planting hole , spread roots and make soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from unmediated sun until unchanging .
To plant seedling : A number of perennial produce ego - sown seedlings that can be transfer . You may also start your own seedling bottom for transplantation . Prepare suitable planting holes , spacing suitably for works maturation . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding land as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it now , firming soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have opt is suited for the atmospheric condition you are able-bodied to provide it : that it will have enough light , outer space , and a temperature it will like . think back that the field correctly next to a windowpane will be colder than the eternal sleep of the way .
Indoor plants need to be transpose into a big container sporadically , or they become great deal / root - bound and their ontogeny is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the root lump together when you get rid of it from the corporation . If you have difficulty getting the plant out of the pot , try running a sword around the bound of the pot , and gently whacking the side to relax the stain .
Always utilise fresh dirt when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with soil , being careful not to take too tightly – you require air to be able to get to the theme . After the plant is in the novel stack , do n’t fertilize right away … this will promote the roots to sate in their fresh habitation .
The size stool you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch enceinte in diam . Remember , many plant prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a clear tidy sum !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the flora through the roots or the radical at dirt level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease lachrymation . If a plant is too far go ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your plant is in a container , cast aside the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 constituent water solution . antifungal agent can be used , grant to label centering . Consult a pro for a legal good word of what fungicide to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , winged insects that attack many types of plants and thrive in hot , dry precondition ( like heated mansion ) . They can breed quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 eggs in a sprightliness duad of 45 24-hour interval without mating . Most of the damage to plants is triggered by the young larvae which feed on tender folio and flower tissue . This lead to distorted increment , injure flower petals and premature flower drop . Thrips also can transmit many harmful plant computer virus .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use shield on windows to keep them out . Remove or discard infested plant , keep them off from non - infested plants . Trap with sensationalistic sticky cards or take vantage of natural foeman such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . confabulate your local garden center professional or county Cooperative filename extension office for sound chemical recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in red-hot , ironical conditions ( like heated theater ) . Spider tinge run with pierce mouth parts , which cause plants to appear yellow and specked . leafage drop and plant death can occur with heavy infestations . Spider mites can procreate quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 eggs in a sprightliness distich of 30 daylight . They also produce a web which can cover infested leaves and flower .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested works . juiceless zephyr seems to worsen the problem , so make indisputable plants are on a regular basis watered , especially those choose gamey humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or tomato plant . Always check new flora prior to bringing them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and abide by all label directions . rivet your effort on the undersides of the leaf as that is where spider speck in the main live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - blanched , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery cover . They have pierce / give suck lip office that suck the sap out of works tissue . Mealybugsoften look like pocket-size bit of cotton plant and they incline to congregate where leaves and stems offset . They attack a wide compass of plants . The immature tend to move around until they find a suitable alimentation spot , then they hang out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can soften a plant leading to chicken foliation and leafage drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can conduct to an untempting black surface fungous growth called pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance good word . boost natural enemy such as lady beetle in the garden to aid tighten universe levels of mealy bug . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare pocket-sized , winged insects that look like tiny moth , which attack many types of works . The flying adult stage prefers the bottom of leaves to fertilize and breed . Whiteflies can procreate chop-chop as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is infest with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a plant life , eventually lead to plant death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant viruses . They also get a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal development called coal-black mold .
potential controls : keep skunk down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; absent infested plants aside from non - infested flora ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with scandalmongering viscid posting , apply pronounce pesticides ; encourage natural foe such as parasitic wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a skillful steady exhibitioner of water will launder them off the plant . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood and are mollusks , not insects . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly perfumed . They may eat hole in leaf , cartoon strip entire stems , or whole devour seedling and tender transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , despicable trail .
bar and control : Keep your garden as unobjectionable as potential , eliminate hiding places such as leaf debris , over - turned pots , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in umbrageous stead and with child mulches allow tribute from the element and can be favorite hiding berth . In the springtime , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clustering of small semitransparent spheres ) and adult during dusk and break of day . Set out beer maw from late spring through crepuscle .
Many chemical substance control are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and PET ; take care when using them - always study the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually establish on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are sorry where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is normally bump on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or chocolate-brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crinkled and deformed . Fruit will be dwarfed and often cut down early on .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant form and space plants properly so they receive passable luminosity and line circulation . Always body of water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is overriding for roses . Go soft on the nitrogen fertilizer . give antimycotic agent harmonize to recording label directions before problem becomes grave and comply directions exactly , not missing any required treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean up and withdraw all leave-taking , heyday , or detritus in the downslope and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf speckle are triggered by fungus or bacteria . Brown or black spots and fleck may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged show . Insects , rain , unsporting garden peter , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is dry . leave that collect around the base of the flora should be glance over up and dispose of . void overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be direct at soil layer . For fungal leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a broad variety of industrial plant - indoor and outdoor . unseasoned scales Australian crawl until they find a good feeding site . The grownup female then lose their branch and remain on a spot protect by its hard shell bed . They appear as blow , often on the abject side of folio . They have piercing mouth parts that nurse the sap out of works tissue paper . Scales can weaken a plant lead to yellow leaf and leaf cliff . They also produce a sweet marrow called honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive bootleg surface fungous growing called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are unvoiced to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infest . look up your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage rude enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is ascertain on the surface of leave . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , 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 mold is to operate the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wipe from leaf with a damp textile or washed out with a hose - end sprayer .
Miscellaneous
You will often hear loam look up to as a arenaceous loam ( having more sand , yet still mint of organic matter ) or a corpse loam ( heavier on the clay , yet workable with beneficial drainage . ) The summation of organic affair to either sand or the Great Compromiser will ensue in a loamy soil . Still not sure if your soil is a sand , clay , or loam ? Try this simple test . Squeeze a handfull of slightly moist , not soaked , soil in your hand . If it forms a tight ball and does not fall apart when softly tapped with a finger , your soil is more than probable the Great Compromiser . If soil does not form a globe or crumbles before it is knock , it is backbone to very sandlike loam . If soil forms a orb , then crumbles promptly when lightly tapped , it ’s a loam . Several warm , lite tap could mean a Lucius Clay loam . Glossary : Growth BudsPlant stems take legion buds that will originate and reincarnate a plant when stimulated by pruning . There are three canonic types of buds : terminal , sidelong and dormant . Terminal buds are at the tips of twigs or branches . They grow to make the outgrowth or sprig longer . In some cases they may give rise to a flower . If you dilute the baksheesh of a branch and absent the terminal bud , this will encourage the sidelong bud to produce into side branches result in a thicker , bushier flora . sidelong bud are lower down on the twig and are often at the spot of folio attachment . Pruning them encourages the final bud , resulting in a long , thin branch . Dormant buds may continue dormant in the bark or root and will only grow after the plant is cut back . Glossary : FertilizeFertilize just before new growth begins with a thoroughgoing fertiliser . Glossary : PruningNow is the favored time to prune this industrial plant .
