If you happen to’ve regarded round your native backyard middle lately, you’ll discover that there are such a lot of new forms of begonias to select from. Along with the little wax begonias that achieve this effectively as bedding vegetation, there are additionally the stunning dragon-wing begonias, trailing begonias, angel wing begonias, showy tuberous begonias, begonia rex, and the listing goes on.
You will discover them being utilized in window containers, hanging baskets, backyard beds, and even container gardens. Bringing this stunning plant with inexperienced foliage and close to nonstop blooming flowers (in its rising season) may be accomplished by any house owner. Right here’s what you want to find out about rising several types of begonias.
Begonia Care Fundamentals
Begonias are tropical perennials, which implies that in frost-free climates, they’ll reside (and generally bloom) all year-round. They just like the situations that attraction to many tropical vegetation.
Begonias are likely to desire a shiny spot with somewhat solar safety. Morning solar (and somewhat afternoon shade) is ideal. Wax begonias can tolerate extra solar than different sorts, and those with bronze-colored leaves are essentially the most sun-tolerant of all. Tuberous begonias desire extra shade and fewer warmth, so we frequently see them on show in late summer season.
It is best to use gentle, wealthy, humusy soil. Begonias are nice for containers as a result of they love the sunshine texture of potting combine. As bedding vegetation, they’ll admire some compost combined into the soil. These vegetation prefer to be moist, however they’ll rot if saved too soggy.
Give your begonias a lightweight feeding about as soon as a month utilizing a balanced natural fertilizer. Begonias will die if uncovered to chilly temperatures, so carry them indoors when temperatures begin dropping into the 50s F in a single day. Additionally, pinch again leggy stems and deadhead spent flowers to maintain your begonias in prime form.
Completely different Varieties of Begonias
If you happen to suppose what begonias appear like, suppose once more. There are various sorts of begonias, with totally different leaf shapes, colours, and progress habits. Some look extra like trailing ivy than a begonia, and others will wow you with spectacularly patterned leaves or enormous, rose-like blossoms. Begonias are categorized each by their progress behavior and their root programs.
Varied sorts of begonias are generally described utilizing phrases together with: cane-line, fibrous,hardy, rhizomatous, semperflorens, shrublike, thick-stemmed, and trailing.
Tips on how to Develop Completely different Varieties of Begonias
There aren’t many variations in rising begonias as a perennial versus an annual. If you wish to develop begonias as an annual (planted within the spring and brought out within the fall). Some varieties are extra sun-tolerant than others, however for essentially the most half you’ll be able to merely choose the one you want greatest. Give them shiny gentle, somewhat solar safety within the warmth of the day, and common water, and luxuriate in.
The variations in what kind of begonia you select turn out to be necessary should you resolve to develop them year-round. It’s fairly straightforward to maintain begonias over the winter, however differing types want somewhat totally different consideration.
These embrace the semperflorens (or wax begonias), cane-like begonias, dragon-wings, and different varieties. These vegetation have a root ball with skinny, stringy roots. Most begonias will continue to grow and blooming all yr should you carry them inside earlier than the primary frost and in a shiny window. After bringing them in, be sure you maintain them moist, and maintain fertilizing them.
If you happen to take a look at the soil floor, you’ll see the fleshy stems and roots creeping alongside and peeking out of the soil of rhizomatous begonias. Like fibrous-rooted begonias, these sorts are straightforward to maintain as houseplants. They’re principally grown for his or her foliage, however some varieties will even bloom within the winter.
These varieties are the showiest of all begonias. They’re often rhizomatous and can proceed rising indoors within the winter, however they want extra humidity, moisture, and fertilizer than different varieties.
Tuberous begonias have a fleshy, spherical tuberous root — just like a potato — and bloom in late summer season and fall. Tuberous begonias go dormant within the winter, so that they received’t keep inexperienced as houseplants. As an alternative, in early fall (earlier than the primary frost), dig up the tubers and retailer them in a cool, dry place for the winter. Subsequent spring, in any case hazard of frost has handed, replant them in pots or outside. For extra details about overwintering tuberous begonias, take a look at our article on methods to retailer tender bulbs over the winter.
This number of tuberous begonia is hardy to zone six and is often grown as a perennial in southern gardens. You’ll generally discover hardy begonias at backyard facilities, however extra generally they’re handed from gardener to gardener. When you have this candy, pink flower in your backyard, all you need to do is watch it develop huge and make new sprouts for all your mates. You may need to take a look at different shade-tolerant flowers you’ll be able to plant.
Tips on how to Establish Completely different Varieties of Begonias
If you happen to don’t know what sort of begonia you could have, right here’s methods to discover out. Convey your begonia indoors in early fall, and see what occurs (tuberous begonias will begin dying again as the times get shorter).
You can even gently dig up your begonia and take a look at the roots. Fibrous-rooted begonias will look stringy; rhizomatous can have creeping floor stems and roots; and tuberous begonias have a spherical, flattened brown tuber. As soon as what kind you could have, both repot them or retailer the tubers.
Rising Begonias: Remaining Ideas
Begonias can look drastically totally different, and taking good care of varied sorts can at first appear daunting.
Rising begonias may be beginner-friendly, nonetheless, so no have to concern. They like the got here situations as tropical vegetation do. Householders and renters alike typically maintain tropical vegetation as houseplants, so a begonia can match proper into your plant care regiment.
Begonias desire direct gentle, being aware to present them some shade in the course of the hottest elements of the day. Use a lightweight soil and be sure you maintain it moist. Fertilize your begonias about as soon as a month and they need to develop and bloom fortunately for you.
FAQs About Rising Completely different Styles of Begonia
Are Begonias Perennials or Annuals?
Begonias may be both perennials or annuals, relying on the species and the local weather the place they’re grown. Most are naturally perennial vegetation, however are sometimes grown as annuals or houseplants in colder climates. For instance, tuberous begonias are sometimes handled as annuals, however their tubers may be saved over winter. Wax begonias may be perennial in heat climates however annual in colder climates, and rex begonias are grown as houseplants or annuals.
Can begonias take full solar?
Most desire partial shade, however a couple of begonia varieties can tolerate full solar, together with wax begonias and dragon-wing begonias. Cultivars that want partial solar to full shade embrace rex begonias, tuberous begonias, and most rhizomatous begonias.
That mentioned, morning solar and afternoon shade are perfect for many begonias. It’s necessary to keep in mind that begonias in sunnier spots will want extra frequent watering than these in spots with extra shade. And, even sun-tolerant begonias might battle in fierce, direct daylight, particularly in sizzling climates. Observe your vegetation and regulate their placement in the event that they present indicators of stress.
What are some care ideas for begonias?
Comparatively low-maintenance, begonia vegetation may be beginner-friendly. Most desire shiny, oblique gentle, or partial shade, however some varieties can tolerate extra solar, particularly in cooler climates. Water your begonia when the highest inch of soil feels dry, and be sure you use a well-drained soil.
Most begonias like greater humidity, and you may mist their leaves or use a pebble tray or indoor begonia. Fertilize each 2–4 weeks in the course of the rising season, however cease fertilizing within the winter. Different begonia care contains pruning (eradicating lifeless or yellowing leaves), and repotting yearly or when the roots turn out to be crowded. You must also look ahead to pests like aphids, and correctly care in your plant within the winter by both storing the tubes or drastically lowering watering.