One of the riveting matter about begonia is that once you decide that growing them is a good estimate , you ’ll start noticing them everywhere .
With over two thousand known species ( and even more cultivar ) , it ’s not hard to opine that everyone is growing begonia . And I can guarantee that once you give begonia a try , you will keep growing them in your garden year after yr .
Begonias , originally from tropic and subtropic climates in Asia , Africa and Central and South America , can be grown both outdoors ( in garden beds , container , borders or hanging basket ) andindoors as houseplants . And with begonias , you may also have the in force of both worlds : it ’s well-situated to enjoy them in the garden during bound and summer and overwinter them indoors when the weather get down cold .
I ’ll reluctantly admit that , before I beget my first plant , I was quite restrain by the view of worry for begonias . They seemed to me to be a very crabbed plant , and I think part of this prepossession was due to the big miscellanea of begonias uncommitted on the market .
If you , too , are a lilliputian bit gravel by this plant , or if you ’d wish to learn how to raise begonias successfully , here are my tips for keeping them glad .
And by the mode , not only did I completely deepen my mind about begonias being fussy , but I also started advocate this plant to anyone that will listen . And the friends who dare to visit are wo nt to impart my place with a begonia natural endowment .
How many types of begonias are there?
Ah , the million - dollar bill question ! Would you be surprised if I told you that there is no definite solution to this question ? With so many metal money of begonias uncommitted , and so many new cultivars being institute to grocery , the lines between the dissimilar category of begonia are blurred .
Not to mention the fact that there are begonia - searching expeditions go on in the wild ( in place such as Vietnam and South Korea ) as we talk , according toThe Begonian , the official journal of the American Begonia Society .
But permit ’s seek to demystify the most coarse character of begonias , using the same trusty root . Based on their emergence drug abuse , begonias can be divided into the succeed independent categories :
1. Tuberous begonias
With over four thousand registered cultivars , the tuberous begonias are one of the most democratic types of begonias . They are primarily descendent of begonias introduced from specie growing in South America , with their culture first recorded as early as the 1800s .
nurseryman prefer tuberous begonia due to their showy colourful bloom which can range greatly in people of color ( pinkish , red , snowy , orange ) and size of it ( from half an inch to 10 - inch clusters ) .
Tuberous begonias grow from tubers that require low temperatures to spud . They ’re ordinarily grown as annuals , with the Tuber stash away in a cool dry place over winter . They ordinarily flower in the bound and summertime , making them perfect for temperate - mood gardens .
2.Rhizomatous begonias
Rhizomatous begonia have a thick-skulled stem with short internodes ( the distance between leaf nodes ) . The rhizomes can assist the plant climb or trail , with some flora developing a sturdy structure under the surface of the grease .
This character of begonia usually flowers in winter and spring ( sometimes as belatedly as June ) in a dizzying regalia of color , but there are some that prime all year long . Most rhizomatous begonia are grow for their dizzying foliage that come in in all type of texture , from hirsute to fuzzy to pebbled .
3. Cane begonias
According to the American Begonia Society , there are about 81 coinage classified as cane begonias and almost two thousand cultivars . With cane begonia , the fresh shoots grow straight up first , and only start branching after they reach a certain superlative . They can arise quite tall before they begin branch , but once they do , they can uprise into a pretty shrubby plant .
This type of begonia is very easy to grow and perfect for young gardeners that need a bit of sureness . Cane begonias are suitable for garden bottom , as well as for indoors and in greenhouses . And they ’re very gentle to propagate from stem cuttings and are grow for both their foliage and their flowers .
‘ Angel offstage ’ begonia are a very pop case of cane - comparable begonias , and so is the Superba variety .
4. Semperflorens (wax begonias)
extremely popular with Modern works parents ( just check Instagram ) , this category of begonias has waxy leaves and ( as the name suggest ) long - lasting flowers in shadiness of smart cerise , pink or white . They ’re often grown outside in borders , garden bed or gage ( due to their compact development habit ) , and they can be kept as perennials in hoar - gratis climates .
Wax begonias tolerate low-pitched H2O and more sunlight than other type of begonias , so they ’re truly the no - squabble kind .
5. Rex begonias
Rex begonia are technically a type of rhizomatous begonia , but with over four thousand cultivar , they get their own category in heyday shows . Rex begonias have showstopping multicolored leave in shades of silver gray , maroon , burgundy , purpleness , orangish and cerise , often with an iridescent pattern .
All the cultivars in this family are descended from the speciesBegonia rexspecies ( aboriginal to India and cultivated since the 1850s ) that was bilk with other type of rhizomatous begonias .
And if you ’ve ever had a begonia relegate your heart , chances are it was a rex begonia . Out of all the types we ’ve mentioned , they ’re the arduous to uprise due to their sensitiveness to temperature fluctuation . In increase , rex begonia are often prone to flick loss and going dormant – which prompts the more inexperienced growers to declare them dead and qualify of them .
In add-on to these five common category , there are also trailing begonia , thick - stem begonias and shrub begonias .
That was quite a crash course , but I hope it wo n’t discourage you from return begonia a try in your garden . The fact that there are so many begonias hybrids is a testament to their popularity and how easy it is to arise them .
Most begonias offer for sale in plant life stores and nurseries are likely to have been interbreed to showcase one or more of their characteristic : leaf shape and color , bloom color , growing habit or pest resistance . So right from the get - go , you have an advantage in originate begonias that are adapted to your specific clime .
In this clause , you ’ll learn how to keep your outside begonia glad , whether you ’re growing them straight into the ground ( in garden bed or borders ) or in planters and hang pots .
What kind of soil do begonias like?
Begonias do well in slightly acidulent soil with honorable drain . Because of the nature of their ancestor system , you should verify the soil you establish your begonia in is loose , not bundle . Your begonia will be more lush and vigorous above earth if it does n’t expend all its energy in trying to push out roots through clay soil .
add up folio mold to the commixture before you plant your begonia in saltation is the best mode to keep the soil aerated . If you ’re growing your begonia in containers , try adding component such as perlite , vermiculite and sphagnum moss to the potting medium .
But the most important thing to keep in creative thinker when it comes to the perfect ground for begonia is to never let the grease to become waterlogged . Begonias are susceptible to root rot , so it ’s good to put in the effort to increase the drainage of arduous garden soil by incorporating compost , leaf mildew or sand .
Avoid watering the soil around the begonias with a high - pressing water jet hose . If you ’re grow begonias on your deck or patio , verify the containers have enough drain hollow .
Should I water my garden begonia?
The reply is a resounding yes ! I know people who believe in the “ pelting is enough ” theory of gardening like it ’s some sort of Hunger Games for plants . But with the unpredictable weather patterns that we have to describe for now , watering your garden becomes necessary , peculiarly while the plant are getting established .
You should irrigate begonias growing in the ground if your garden is going through a dry patch . A sure mansion that your industrial plant want watering is if the ground is dry about five inches below the surface .
The well - run out dirt that we cite above should be rich enough to continue just the correct amount of water , but do n’t fall prey to one of the most mutual misconception about begonias – that they opt pie-eyed soil . That ’s partly true , as this industrial plant does prefer moist soil , but they should n’t be left in sop wet soil for too long as they ’re very susceptible to root rot and bow rot .
Do n’t rush into water your plant if you ’re getting fair amounts of rain , particularly as rhizomatous and cane form can hold some piddle in their thickened stems that can sustain the plant through curt dry period . Always water at the nucleotide of the plant life and around the genus Tuber or the rootstalk , not directly above it . This allows the wet to be distributed evenly without pool too much in the tuber .
Another important rule to abide by is to stave off watering the leaves , as much as possible . Getting too much piss on the leafage may lead to powdery mildew and other fungal diseases . It ’s best to irrigate your garden plant life in the morn or in the evening , to prevent quick evaporation and folio singe .
If you ’re growing begonia in container , you should water them more frequently even when it rain . If the grime is dry to the touch about two column inch below the aerofoil of the soil , then your works necessitate another lachrymation academic session . Give it a thorough soakage until pee comes dripping through the drain holes . Allow all the water to enfeeble out of the pots .
If you ’re growing tuberous begonias , you should contract your tearing and take any unexampled flowers in October . This allow your begonia to put its energy back into the tuber and prepare for a new grow time of year .
Should I plant my begonia in the shade or in the sun?
Begonias do well in fix that are partially shady . Even though there are some variety show that grow very well in full shade , most begonia need a niggling number of sunshine – either break of the day sun or mottled afternoon sun . Too little light will result in tall-growing growth and scummy bloom .
Some newer begonia cultivars can tolerate direct sun , particularly in the morning , but only in cooler northern climate . Avoid set or place your begonia in full sun , as this may lead to foliage singe and bloom loss .
Semperflorens ( wax ) begonias will tolerate and even thrive in direct sunshine in most climates . In fact , they will neither maturate well nor flower in full shade . In world-wide , green - foliage multifariousness do well in dawning Sunday and afternoon spook , while colored - foliage cultivar can do by brighter light for a longsighted period of time . With so many varieties and cultivars on the marketplace , it ’s good to always follow the instructions on the tag offer by the grower .
How do I fertilize my begonias?
The first footfall of a good fertilizing regime for begonias starts even before you put your plant life in the earth . So at the beginning of the growing time of year , you should remediate your filth with compost and leafage mold . you may also supply constitutional obtuse - release fertilizer pellet to the compost that you ’re implant in , making sure you decently knead it into the priming . Begonias are heavy feeders , so giving them a good head start is central .
Once the plants get over the shock of transplanting and look established , it ’s time to put them on a in effect fertilizing regimen . you could apply an constitutional balanced fertilizer ( such as a 20 - 20 - 20 fertilizer admixture ) monthly .
But depending on what variety of begonia you ’re develop , you may require to adjust the fertilizer you ’re using .
If you ’re growing a variety that ’s rich in blooms , choose a fertiliser with a higher P content ( indicated by a higher middle routine , such as a 15 - 30 - 15 organic fertilizer ) . If you ’re growing your begonia for its foliage , you could apply a balanced plant food or a fertilizer that has a high nitrogen subject matter ( indicate by a higher first digit , such as a 16 - 8 - 12 organic pattern ) .
If you ’re growing begonia in a container , use a slow - release constitutional fertilizer so that the nutrients do n’t lap away with every lachrymation session . Use a much lowly superman of fertilizer for plant growing in pots than for the single growing in your garden .
As the develop time of year slows down , you should also hold back fertilizing your begonia , especially the tuberous varieties . Starting in September , you should encourage the plant to slow down its ontogeny above ground and concentrate on sending its energy back into the genus Tuber for the next growing season .
Should I prune my begonias?
If you require to advance bushier plants and larger blooms , you could crimp back growth tips start in natural spring , doing it monthly or when the tips arrive at five inches long . You should deadhead tuberous begonias on a regular basis and murder the old drop peak .
If your climate is mild enough to allow you to overwinter your begonia in the garden , do n’t prune it until early spring when you start seeing raw development . The crown of the plant , even if it ’s ironical , will help oneself protect the roots from stale temperature , efficaciously acting as a self - mulch .
Are begonias susceptible to pests and diseases?
With begonia , you should n’t worry too much about pests . However , fungal diseases are a different account . Here are the most common ones and what you’re able to do to prevent them
Powdery mildew
This is a fungus that go away white spots on leaves and flower which have them to sour yellowed and drop . Mildew is a mutual trouble in some climates that have high humidness , but not enough Lord’s Day .
There are some varieties of begonia that have been specially bred to have a high-pitched electrical resistance to fungi colonization , although there ’s no such thing as a one hundred per centum disease - trial impression plant .
To foreclose mildew , you should space your works further apart for allow for better air circulation . If you do notice mildew growing on your begonia , spray it forthwith with an constituent microbial fungicide .
Botrytis rot
Also phone gray cast ( and knight “ a gardener ’s worst nightmare ” ) , botrytis rot may affect begonias , especially in a particularly wet season . It looks like urine - soaked , dark-brown bunk that go on primarily on the leaves and then moves on to the stem turn . It may first appear on the oldest leaf that are in contact with the dirt . To forbid this , make trusted the soil has right drainage and that there ’s enough airflow around the treetop of your industrial plant . Dispose of any spot leaves as before long as you discover them .
Stem rot
shank bunk is another fungous disease that may assault begonias . The name is self - explanatory , and the disease will pull up stakes the stem hollow and ineffective to delight nutrients to the leaves . Use an organic fungicide as soon as you notice the rot .
But if the spreading make out of hand , it ’s good to dispose of the affected stem justly away . Discard them with even menage waste , not in your compost pile .
Other tips for growing healthy beautiful begonias
What should I do with my garden begonias in the fall?
The solvent to this doubt depends on where you live and what type of begonia you ’re growing . If you ’re in a clime that does n’t get frost , you may be able to leave your begonia jubilantly growing in the garden and it will bounce back the following year . However , growing begonias as perennials is more the exclusion than the prescript .
Since begonias prefer temperatures between 55F and 75F , anything going below that minimum for longer than a few days will move around even your perennial begonias into annuals .
If you ’re spring up tuberous begonias , the salutary elbow room to get more begonias next yr is to dig out the genus Tuber at the remnant of the season and hive away them in a cool wry place indoors ( much like you would bound bulbs ) . After the last hoarfrost the following spring , you may plant your tubers again and you ’ll be rewarded with another batch of begonias very similar to the one you started with .
For container - spring up begonias , that ’s even easier . Let the industrial plant drop dead down at the end of the season , then move the container indoors ( a cellar or a garage should do just ticket , as long as the temperature do n’t spend below freeze ) .
As you could see , begonia are n’t heavy to grow , even for a newbie nurseryman . I trust you ’ll give them a attempt this summer and I secure you ’ll get hooked .
