Begonias are tender perennials , grow for their colorful bloom and foliage . Most begonias can be grown outdoors in jackpot , in the earth , or in hanging basket in trickle light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , grow as annuals or indoors as houseplants . Most begonia can be propagated from foliage , root word or rhizome cuttings in addition to being sown from cum . ‘ Withlacoochee ’ is a bushy begonia that has attractive foliage with hairy , minute leaves . The flowers are hairy and white , flower April through July . Stemming is upright and zig - zag between the node . The increment habit is bushy with shoots at basis . This plant savour trickle brightness level but can take some sun in wintertime . Soil should ideally be moist . Begonias grow very well in peat - base compost also . Likes humidity . Does not wish cold weather . Pinching tips and pruning outer stem in the maturate time of year gives a bushier industrial plant , proficient for hanging . Sudden temperature modification do leaves to strike down .
Google Plant Images : clack here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Lord’s Day and shade patterns change during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to trace hurtle by large trees or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just buy a new family or just beginning to garden in your older family , take time to represent sun and shade throughout the daytime . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true light condition . weather : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially fly-by-night conditions , filtered lightis nonpareil . Good planting site are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that lets some lighting through their branches or beneath taller plants that will furnish some protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that need ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water thoroughly until the soil is saturate and then drain freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water when pot soil becomes teetotal to the touch an column inch or so below the soil surface . shape : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is of import to them . Often dawn Sunday , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be think part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much intense Dominicus , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , flora in a location where good afternoon shade will be received . condition : Bright Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly pic window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly picture window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant functioning , it is suitable to fit the correct plant life with the useable idle experimental condition . good plant , correct place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient luminousness may become pale in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plants to produce slower and have few blooms when brightness is less than worthy . It is possible to provide supplemental firing for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also incur too much ignitor . If a refinement loving flora is exposed to unmediated sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The tonality to watering is water deep and less oftentimes . When tearing , water well , i.e. ply enough weewee to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - solid ground flora , this means thoroughly intoxicate the soil until water supply has dawn to a profoundness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown flora , apply enough water to allow H2O to flow through the drain holes .
test to water plants early in the day or afterward in the good afternoon to husband water and switch off down on industrial plant emphasis . Do water too soon enough so that body of water has had a chance to dry from works leave prior to night fall . This is overriding if you have had fungus job .
Do n’t wait to urine until industrial plant wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will go if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider weewee conservation method acting such as drip mould irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . trickle system which slowly dribble wet instantly on the origin system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . mulch can significantly cool off the root zona and preserve moisture .
Consider adding water supply - saving gelatin to the root zone which will have got a reserve of body of water for the plant . These can make a world of departure peculiarly under nerve-racking conditions . Be sure to follow recording label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grunge should be kept evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most plant like 1 inch of water a week during the grow season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular lachrymation is important for establishment . The first yr is decisive . It is just to urine once a workweek and water deeply , than to H2O oftentimes for a few minute . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it authoritative to supply them with tolerable water . Proper watering is substantive for good flora health . When there is not enough H2O , roots will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is use too oftentimes , roots are deprive of O and disease pass off such as radical and stem putrefaction .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant needs to be re - watered accord to its wet requirements .
When lacrimation , water well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root word ball . With containerized plants , practice enough weewee to allow urine to flow through the drainage holes .
Avoid using cold water supply specially with houseplant . This can blow out of the water tender roots . Fill lachrymation can with tepid water or let cold piss to sit for a while to come to room temperature before tearing . This is a skilful way to allow any harmful Cl in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are best irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. tearing from the bottom up . This nullify splashing H2O on the leaf of sensitive plant life . Simply station the stool in a shallow pan filled with tepid water and let the plant baby-sit for 15 minutes to allow the etymon ball to be thoroughly wet . Take out and permit sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the dirt ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will take in wet from the soil and turn a darker colour . rive it out and examine . This will give you an melodic theme of how wet the soil beginning ball is .
Roots involve atomic number 8 to breath , do not countenance plants to sit in a saucer filled with water supply . This will only advertise disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting land site to improve fertility and increase body of water retention and drain . If territory composition is weak , a bed of topsoil should be think as well . No matter if your ground is sand or clay , it can be improved by tote up the same thing : organic issue . The more , the better ; work deep into the grunge . Prepare bed to an 18 in recondite for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of body of work now , but will greatly give off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been establish . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you imbed a perennial , it does not mean that you will relish years of upkeep - loose horticulture . perennial need to be cared for just like any other plant . One matter that distinguishes perennial is that they incline to be active growers that have to be thinned out once in a while or they will loose vigor .
As perennial build , it is important to prune them back and thin them out on occasion . This will preclude them from all taking over an country to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase strain circulation thereby reducing the incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many specie also flower abundantly and produce ample semen . As efflorescence disappearance it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove expend bloom before they constitute seed . This will prevent your plants from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the industrial plant to produce seed .
As perennial get on , they may form a dumb root tidy sum that eventually leads to a less vigorous industrial plant . It is advisable to from time to time thin out a point of view of such perennial . By dividing the root system , you may make new plant to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new ontogeny and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennial may be successfully divide in either spring or fall . Do a piffling preparation ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no soil to imbed in , or for plants that take a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is substandard . If growing more than one flora in a container , check that that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and declamatory enough to give up radical development and growth as well as proportional balance between the full developed industrial plant and the container . Plant orotund containers in the seat you intend them to abide . All containers should have drainage holes . A interlocking screen , break away cadaver sens pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee filter placed over the fix will keep soil from rinse out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mixture for the plant you have prefer . Quality soils ( or ground - less medias ) take in moisture pronto and evenly when blotto . If water run off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as undecomposed as you believe .
Prior to filling a container with territory , wet pot soil in the handbag or place in a bath or barrow so that it is equally moist . replete container about halfway full or to a tier that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is utter . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by think Lord’s Day and tad through the day , picture , H2O requirements , clime , soil makeup , seasonal colour desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The good clip to plant are spring and fall , when stain is workable and out of risk of Robert Frost . Fall plantings have the advantage that beginning can develop and not have to compete with developing top outgrowth as in the springiness . Spring is more suitable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for cold areas , allow full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless plant a more established sized industrial plant .
To plant container - mature plants : train planting holes with appropriate profundity and infinite between . Water the flora thoroughly and let the extra water drainage before carefully removing from the container . Carefully loosen the antecedent ball and place the plant life in the hole , form grime around the root as you fill up . If the industrial plant is highly root bound , separate beginning with fingers . A few slits made with a pocket tongue are fine , but should be kept to a minimum . bear on fill in soil and water thoroughly , protect from direct Sunday until stable .
To plant bare - beginning plants : plant life as soon as potential after purchase . set suited planting golf hole , fan out roots and work dirt among root as you fill in . urine well and protect from verbatim sunlight until stable .
To found seedling : A number of perennial raise self - sown seedlings that can be graft . You may also bulge your own seedling seam for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting yap , space befittingly for plant ontogenesis . lightly come up the seedling and as much environ stain as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it at once , firm soil with fingertips and piddle well . Shade from verbatim sun and body of water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have choose is suitable for the conditions you are able to provide it : that it will have enough scant , place , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / tooth root - bound and their growth is retarded . irrigate the works well before starting , so the soil will halt the root ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the lot , try running a leaf blade around the edge of the crapper , and gently whacking the sides to loosen the soil .
Always use sweet soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with land , being careful not to load down too tightly – you want atmosphere to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the unexampled pot , do n’t fertilise right away … this will encourage the roots to fill in their new home .
The size pot you take is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 in greater in diam . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a clear pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is ascertain in most filth and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at soil level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease lacrimation . If a plant is too far pass ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your industrial plant is in a container , discard the soil too . wash out the pot with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 part water answer . antifungal agent can be used , according to label directions . Consult a professional for a legal recommendation of what antimycotic agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare humble , fly insect that assault many types of plants and thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply apace as a female person can lie up to 300 egg in a life brace of 45 days without coupling . Most of the damage to plants is triggered by the young larva which feed on tender leafage and flower tissue . This direct to perverted ontogenesis , hurt efflorescence petals and premature bloom fall . Thrips also can transmit many harmful industrial plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and use screen on windows to keep them out . slay or discard infested flora , keep them away from non - infested plants . Trap with yellow pasty cards or take reward of natural enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steadfast rain shower of water will wash off them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office for sound chemical recommendations . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - comparable creatures which fly high in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider touch feed with piercing mouth parts , which make plants to appear scandalmongering and stippled . Leaf drop and plant demise can fall out with heavy infestations . Spider mites can breed quick , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 Day . They also give rise a web which can pass over infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep dope down and take away infested plants . ironical melodic phrase seems to decline the problem , so make certain plants are regularly irrigate , especially those preferring in high spirits humidity such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or Lycopersicon esculentum . Always delay new flora prior to work them home from the garden essence 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 , interpret and take after all recording label directions . decoct your efforts on the undersides of the leaf as that is where spider mite generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - embodied insect that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have piercing / sucking mouth part that suck the sap out of flora tissue paper . Mealybugsoften see like small pieces of cotton wool and they run to congregate where leave and stem branch . They attack a wide range of plant . The unseasoned tend to move around until they rule a suitable feeding spot , then they attend out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant lead to yellow leaf and folio fall . They also farm a sweet inwardness anticipate honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth anticipate sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate overrun plants from those that are not . confer with your local garden nitty-gritty professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical recommendation . promote lifelike enemies such as dame beetle in the garden to facilitate reduce population levels of mealy germ . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that look like tiny moth , which assail many types of plants . The flying adult microscope stage prefers the undersurface of farewell to feed and breed . Whiteflies can multiply chop-chop as a female can lie up to 500 egg in a living distich of 2 months . If a plant is invade with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is disturbed . Whiteflies can weaken a works , eventually chair to engraft death if they are not checked . They can send many harmful plant viruses . They also bring forth a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called jet stamp .
Possible mastery : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plants ; apply a brooding mulch ( Al foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; gob with sensationalistic sticky card , apply labeled pesticide ; promote natural opposition such as bloodsucking wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good stiff shower of water supply will wash them off the works . Pest : Slugs and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusks , not dirt ball . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or extremely scented . They may eat holes in leaves , slip entire stems , or completely devour seedling and bid transplant , lead behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trail .
Prevention and control condition : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating concealment place such as folio dust , over - turned pots , and tarp . Groundcover in shady place and grievous mulches provide protective cover from the elements and can be favorite concealment spot . In the spring , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clusters of small translucent spheres ) and adults during dusk and daybreak . Set out beer traps from late bound through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the market , but can be toxicant and deadly for children and pets ; take care when using them - always read the recording label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually bump on plants that do not have enough strain circulation or tolerable light . job are worse where nights are nerveless and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . leave-taking will often turn yellow-bellied or brown , curl up , and fell off . New foliage emerges crinkled and twisted . Fruit will be shadow and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant immune varieties and space plants properly so they receive adequate lighting and air circulation . Always water from below , keep water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the atomic number 7 fertiliser . Apply fungicides grant to recording label directions before job becomes severe and keep abreast counseling precisely , not missing any require treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and take away all leaf , flowers , or junk in the fall and demolish . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf blot are due to fungi or bacterium . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - march appearance . louse , pelting , unsportsmanlike garden tools , or even multitude can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : take out infected leaves when the works is dry . Leaves that compile around the base of the industrial plant should be graze up and cast out of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; piddle should be lead at soil level . For fungous leafage spots , use a recommended fungicide grant to label steering .
pestilence : Scale InsectsScales are worm , tie in to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outside . Young scales crawl until they find a good feeding site . The grownup females then lose their legs and remain on a smear protected by its hard shell bed . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing rima oris parts that take up the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can de-escalate a plant take to yellow foliage and foliage drop . They also acquire a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive inglorious airfoil fungal growth call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to verify . Isolate infested plant life forth from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension function in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their mastery . Encourage instinctive foe such as parasitical white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mould is a fungus that is find on the surface of foliage . It feeds on honeydew pass from aphids , mealy bugs , plate , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blacken the leaf and stems of the plant . The good way of life to control jet-black mold is to control the louse that make the honeydew . Sooty mould can usually be wiped from leave of absence with a dampish fabric or washed off with a hose - end sprayer .
