What Are Begonias?

Begonias are perennial flowers with a range of colors and shapes. They’re great in the garden, or as potted plants indoors. They are easy to grow, but they are prone to powdery mildew, mealybugs, spider mites, whitefly and thrips. Plant begonias in well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter, such as John Innes No. 2 or peat-free multipurpose compost.

Tuberous Begonias

Tuberous begonias are a beautiful group of garden plants that are easy to grow and add color to a shady corner of your yard. They can be used to decorate window boxes, decorative urns, and garden beds. They grow well in moist, rich soil, but they are not drought tolerant.

Begonias are available in many different colors and flower forms, but one of the most popular is the tuberous type. These begonias come in upright or trailing varieties, and they have big blooms that are available in a wide range of colors, including yellow, orange, red, and white.

In the garden, tuberous begonia wholesale thrive in partial to full shade and in light, rich, moist soils. They can be grown indoors, too, if you live in a warm climate and can keep the plants consistently moist.

For best results, plant tuberous begonias in early spring, after the threat of frost has passed. Place the tubers a little below the soil line (they rot easily when planted too deep), and water lightly until they produce several sets of leaves.

To start new begonias from tubers, you’ll need a greenhouse or a sunny room with moderately warm temperatures. Plant tubers in a potting mix, bud side up, with a space of at least 2″ all around. You may want to use a heat source, such as a heating pad or heat lamp, to help them start rooting quickly.

When you’re ready to transplant, place the sprouted tubers in individual 8″ pots or a single large container. They can also be re-potted directly into the garden, after the danger of frost has passed.

After they’ve started to grow, you’ll need to provide some fertilizer. A foliar feed every 10 days to 2 weeks will help them stay healthy throughout the growing season.

You can also use a balanced liquid feed in the water to help them grow faster and put on more blooms. You can also cut off dead flower stems to encourage more blooms and increase their size.

For best results, begonias should be planted in a location that is protected from wind and provides a bit of afternoon or morning sun, but they need shade for most of the day. In addition, they require good drainage, but they can handle some wet conditions if you water them gently.

Bedding Begonias

Begonias are easy-care plants that add colour to your garden or home. They are perfect for growing in containers, window boxes and hanging baskets as well as in borders. They can be grown from seed, plugs or young plants and come in all shapes, sizes and colours.

Begonias can be planted in the spring and summer to bloom all year round, or in autumn to bring color inside for winter. There are three main types of begonias: fibrous-rooted, tuberous and rhizomatous.

Fibrous-rooted begonias are the most common and come in a variety of flower shapes, colors, and foliage shades. They are most often grown as annuals, but can also be used as perennials in mild-winter regions.

They are heavy feeders and need to be fertilized with a water-soluble flowering plant fertilizer every 4 to 6 weeks during the growing season. Be sure to pinch spent flowers off to encourage new ones and repot them regularly for optimal growth.

Bedding begonias are excellent choice for filling containers, hanging baskets and window boxes with a bright splash of blooms from late spring to early fall. Choose light green-leaved varieties for a shaded spot or dark-leaved types for full sun.

To start begonias, scatter seeds onto the soil surface and keep moist with eco-seaweed to assist germination. The plants will need an increasing amount of humidity as they grow to help them thrive.

You can also create stem cuttings to add new colors and styles to your collection. To do this, fill a small pot with free draining potting mix and make several holes in the mix.

Place the stem cuttings in one of the holes and place it in a warm, sheltered position away from direct sunlight. Apply regular applications of eco-seaweed until the begonia is ready to transplant outside in spring.

If your begonias are affected by fungal diseases like bacterial leaf spot or powdery mildew, trim them off and apply a fungicide to prevent damage. They are also vulnerable to blight and crown and stem rots, so it’s important that you give them enough airflow around the leaves.

Annual Begonias

Begonias are an excellent addition to a garden or yard, as they are easy to grow and come in a variety of colors and textures. They are also known for their gentle, enchanting aura that makes them a wonderful accent to any homey decor.

They are easy to grow as annuals and are ideal for pots, hanging baskets and flower beds. Depending on your climate, you can enjoy blooms throughout the summer. Many are heat-tolerant and are available in many different colors.

When planting begonias, choose a sunny site with moist, well-draining soil high in organic content. Keep the soil lightly aerated and avoid overwatering, which can cause droopy blossoms.

Most begonias prefer morning sun and afternoon shade, but some varieties do better in direct sunlight. The best begonias to use in full sun locations are bronze leaf wax begonias, which offer the most protection from hot summer temperatures.

The wax begonia family has been around for years, but new cultivars have recently been developed that are tolerant of more direct sunlight. They include ‘Dragon Wing,’ which can bloom brightly all summer in full sun.

In addition, begonias can tolerate a light dose of frost in some areas. In colder regions, you may be able to save the tubers from tuberous begonias to replant in spring or bring in as houseplants during the winter.

If you plan to save the tubers from tuberous begonias, you will want to dig them up in early fall or early winter and store them away until spring. Be sure to check them for damage before storing, as rot can kill them.

Overwintering is another option for many begonias, but it is a bit more difficult. Most perennial begonias are unable to survive cold winters without protection from snow or frost. They need a warm temperature that never drops below about 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

You can also grow begonias as tender perennials in some regions if you live in a tropical climate zone. They are more likely to survive a cold snap outside than fibrous begonias, which cannot handle such a temperature.

Perennial Begonias

Most begonias are annuals (that last only one season), but a few rhizomatous and hardy begonias can become perennial in warmer areas. These types of begonias, which grow from tubers, may require some care in colder weather to protect their bulbs from freezing temperatures and the potential for disease.

Most perennial begonias are grown as bedding plants, or first-choice options for flower beds, because they produce large blooms and grow quickly. They thrive in full sun and moist soil, but they also can tolerate a variety of conditions, such as dryness and cold weather.

Tuberous begonias are a favorite, thanks to their showy flowers that bloom from mid-summer through fall. These plants are easy to grow, but they need consistent fertilization and watering throughout the season. They also can benefit from a late application of fish emulsion early in the season to bulk up their foliage and help them form buds.

Some begonias, such as the Non Stop series of tuberous begonias, can be grown in shady gardens as long as they receive adequate sunlight. Their fanciful double, petal-packed blooms are an attractive addition to patio containers or hanging baskets. They are available in a range of colors, including white, pink and apricots to rich shades of red, orange and cerise.

To keep a perennial begonia blooming, provide it with consistent feeding, water and shade. Fertilize the roots of the plant with a balanced fertilizer every 2 weeks, and water regularly to keep the soil moist but not wet.

Begonias are susceptible to mealy bugs, but most can be treated with a broad-spectrum insecticide such as glyphosate. Other common problems include powdery mildew, spider mites and slugs.

If you want to store a begonia bulb over winter, you should dig it up before the soil freezes. Then, brush off excess dirt, place the bulb in a paper bag or container with a damp towel inside and store it in a cool, dry area, such as your garage. It’s best not to leave a bulb out in direct sunlight, as it can be exposed to extreme heat and sunburn.