![]() In cool climates, begonias are pruned in fall, mainly so that they can easily fit in an indoor location to safely overwinter. In warm climates, begonia plant pruning is usually done in spring. Rhizomatous and fibrous rooted begonias don’t die back but they are usually pruned annually to keep them full and blooming properly. Whether grown outdoors year-round in warm climates or as annuals in cold climates, tuberous begonias die back annually to store up energy in their tubers while they go through a dormant phase. Many rhizomatous begonias are specifically grown as houseplants for their dramatic foliage and tolerance of indirect sunlight. Rhizomatous begonias are usually easy to identify by their fleshy, horizontal stems or rhizomes which run along or just under the soil surface. In cool climates, they can be brought indoors and treated like houseplants through winter. This means that in warm tropical climates they can grow outdoors, and some even bloom year-round. The begonia foliage should be trimmed back, and the tubers can be dried and stored in a cool, dry location through winter, just as canna or dahlia bulbs are stored.įibrous rooted and rhizomatous begonias do not die back once a year like tuberous begonias. However, at this point, tuberous begonias will naturally begin to die back to the ground. In cool climates with frost and snow in winter, begonias need to be discarded or brought indoors to a sheltered location when temperatures begin to dip below 50 degrees F. In warm, frost-free climates, begonias can grow outdoors as perennials and certain types may even bloom all year. For instance, how and when to prune a begonia plant depends on your location, as well as which type of begonia you have. Pruning a begonia plant depends on different factors. Continue reading to learn how to prune begonias. Of course, overwintering begonia plants may require pruning. Many plant lovers have realized that instead of purchasing expensive begonia baskets each spring, they can overwinter them in greenhouses or as houseplants. The leaves are high in vitamin C and the stems of tuberous begonias. Although grown mostly for show, begonias have also been used medicinally to disinfect wounds, stop swelling and relieve tooth aches. The dramatic foliage of certain begonias is especially popular for shade-loving hanging baskets. There are trailing and upright types of each kind begonia group. In cooler climates, they are grown as annual plants. You can sow seeds in spring, but they can take several months to grow and bloom.Native to the Caribbean Islands and other tropical locations, begonias are hardy in areas with frost free winters. Wax begonia seeds are tiny and slow to germinate. ![]() Cover the whole container and plant with a plastic bag or cloche to hold in humidity. Propagation: Take 3- to 4-inch (8-10 cm) stem cuttings in spring and root in fresh potting mix. Feed monthly with a high-phosphorus (10-20-10 NPK) water-soluble fertilizer diluted by half. African violet potting mix is ideal.įertilizer: A steady diet of weak fertilizer will keep begonias happy. Soil: Peat moss based potting mix with added perlite for faster drainage. If you moved your plant outdoors for the season, overwinter it indoors. Begonias will tolerate a minimum winter temperature of 55☏/13☌. Temperature: Cool nights (60☏/16☌) and warm days (65-75☏/18-24☌) will trigger flower buds. Keep pot on a tray of wet pebbles to increase humidity. Humidity: Try to maintain 40-50% relative humidity around your begonias. Use a pot with a drainage hole and allow top 1-inch (2.5 cm) of the potting mix to dry before watering again. Overwatering will cause leaves to turn yellow. If you move your begonia outdoors for the summer, keep it shaded from hot, direct sun. Begonias grow well under fluorescent lights, too. Plants that don't bloom aren't getting enough sunlight. Give your begonia plenty of bright light year-round. Spray an affected plant with a fungicide and keep it away from other plants to prevent it from spreading. Once inside, they will need warmth and plenty of sunlight to grow, but as long as the temperature is above 60 degrees, it will survive the winter. The moist conditions begonias love make them prone to powdery mildew - a powdery white fungus that appears on the foliage. Cut off brown, wilted leaves because they may attract fungus. They're likely to rot and attract fungus.īrown leaves? Cool temps and soggy soil will cause leaves to become soft and turn brown. Cut off any affected leaves as soon as you notice them. Overwatering your begonia will cause leaves to wilt and turn yellow. Allowing it to dry out will leave it susceptible to disease. Caring for Wax Begonia Indoors: Solutions and Special Helps These prolific bloomers stay small, so grow several in a large pot for big impact. Some hybrids have burgundy leaves or are variegated with white. They're typically dark-green and may be tinged with bronze. Round, thick, waxy leaves give this beautiful flowering plant its common name.
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