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BEGONIA

Bronze Leaf Big Red

Photo Credit (C) Dennis Lee Brown 2017

Photo Credit (C) Dennis Lee Brown 2017

Dennis's Plants & Gardens IMG (1978) BEGONIA

Begonia - 

Ideal Preferences

 

Water:

Watering correctly is important in the care of begonias. Soil should remain moist, but not too wet. Water wax begonias at the base to avoid leaf spot and the possibility of fungal diseases.

Light:  Place plants in partial sun, low light areas, like part- to deep shade,

Hardness Zone:

Begonias grow well in hardiness zones 3-11. They are frost sensitive and only winter hardy in zones 8-11. In cooler climates begonias are grown as annuals and will flower from summer through fall. (see hardness zone). 

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Humidity:

Avoid misting the leaves; alkaline water just desiccates them. 

Temperature:

Some Roses, especially “the rose bush” may survive temperatures ranging from -40°F and others can withstand heated temperatures above 100°F.

Fertilizer :

Give them a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month, or add granular timed-release fertilizer to the potting soil at planting time.

Soil:

Start with a good quality, commercial potting soil.  All-purpose houseplant or gardening soil helps with growing healthy plant whether in/outdoors.  A well-draining soil or potting mix. 

Propagation:

With a sharp clean snip clip an established leaf stem from the parent plant where the leaf meets the stem – below the leaf node.  Strip off and lower level leaves, exposing the leaf’s node.   Now clip the cut end into a blunt point.  Dip the point into rooting hormone… cover several leaf nodes with the hormone.  Bury the petiole (the stalk that joins a leaf to a stem; leafstalk), not the leaf into moist propagation soil mixture, new plant grown from the roots that develop at the end of the petiole

BEGONIA -

 

(Botanical: Bronze Leaf Big Red)

Dennis's Plants & Gardens IMG (2085) BE

Begonias

Botanical: Bronze Leaf Big Red Type: Herbaceous perennial Family: Begoniaceae

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Begonia is a genus of perennial flowering plants in the family Begoniaceae. Begonia also called "The Wax Plant" is a genus contains more than 1,800 different plant species. The Begonias are native to moist subtropical and tropical climates.  Some species are commonly grown indoors as ornamental houseplants in cooler climates. In cooler climates some species are cultivated outside in summertime for their bright colorful flowers, which have sepals but no petals.

Begonias, known as the stars of the shade gardening delight, with large, spectacularly colored blooms that last through the summer season. These beauties thrive in containers or in the garden, preferring shade and rich soil.

Begonias are not the easiest tubers to plant – they take longer to bloom than other summer bulbs and should be started indoors in the late winter. The huge colorful blooms steal the show in almost any summer in-ground or container garden.

 

Indoors & Outdoors

  • Outdoors: Begonias prefer shade, rich soil and require some regular care, so try to plant them in an area in the shade like under a tree or on a porch. recommend watering, every few days, or when the soil has dried out.  Fertilize every other week with an organic 20-20-20 fertilizer.  Plant wax begonias in a indirect to shaded location.  Full sun locations during hot summer days may stress annual begonia plants, making them susceptible to disease. Therefore, in areas where summer sun are exceptionally hot, plant wax begonias where they will get afternoon shade.

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  • Indoors: If you’re starting tubers inside, place planted Begonias in a warm location with indirect sunlight, preferably an eastern, western, or southern-facing window.  See Houseplant Light Compass.  If you don’t have an indoor window space, we recommend purchasing a heat lamp to allow some light for growth (heat lamps also come in handy for starting seeds). The most compact and healthy wax begonias result from deadheading and pinching back regularly. Annual begonia plants may be cut back before frost and used inside as a houseplant in winter. Once inside, keep the soil moist, provide humidity with a pebble tray and place in bright filtered light. 

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Keep them in partial-sun to deep shade, depending on the specific type rose you have.  Light Compass for Houseplants -   PDF file

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