How to grow begonias outside? And here’s the best part: Unlike their tuberous cousins, annual begonias don’t require a lot of light. These are shade-loving plants outdoors; so any somewhat-sunny windowsill will keep them alive and flowering—just make sure it’s well insulated so they don’t get too cold at night.
How do you keep begonias alive outside? Often grown in containers indoors, begonias also can be grown outdoors during the frost-free months. If you live in a region that doesn’t experience freezing winter temperatures or frosts, keep the begonia tubers in the ground year-round. Select a planting site for your begonias in partial shade.
Can begonias survive outside? They do best in situations with shade or morning sun/afternoon shade. Most varieties have flowers that hang down a little, making tuberous begonias ideal for hanging baskets and window boxes rather than garden beds and borders. No matter where you grow them, make sure they have good drainage to prevent rot.
Do begonias like sun or shade? Outdoors, rex begonias like part- to deep shade, ordinary potting soil, and water when the top inch or so of the soil is dry. Give them a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month, or add granular timed-release fertilizer to the potting soil at planting time. Avoid misting the leaves; alkaline water just desiccates them.
How to grow begonias outside? – Related Questions
How to pollinate tuberous begonias?
Most Begonias are self-fertile, meaning that you can have one plant providing both the male and female flowers to create viable seed. In other groups of plants, like kiwis, you need separate male and female plants if you want to get fruit.
Why are my begonias not growing?
If the shade is too dense, your begonias won’t grow properly. Choose an area with indirect sunlight and partial shade. If you don’t have any indoor window space for potted begonias, you’ll need to use a fluorescent lamp in order to provide them with a bit of light.
How long does it take for begonia tubers to sprout?
Begonia tubers take 6-8 weeks from planting to sprout, which is another reason that starting them inside during the colder months of the year is a good idea.
How much sun can angel wing begonias take?
Angel wing begonia plants like bright, indirect light year-round. They are not as sensitive to direct light as rex begonias, but cannot handle the direct sunlight of a wax begonia. If you don’t want your plant to flower, a partial shade location will allow it to grow without producing blooms.
When to plant begonia tubers uk?
When you get them home you should keep them dry and frost free until you are ready to start your tubers into growth. Begonias shouldn’t be planted in your garden until the last frosts have passed which is usually in late May or even early June in the north.
When do begonias stop blooming?
Once begonias start flowering, they bloom continuously from summer to frost. There are several different types of begonias. Wax begonias and angel-wing begonias are usually grown as outdoor annuals or indoor houseplants. Both grow from a clump of roots and are winter hardy in growing zones 9-11.
What is a begonia look like?
Wax begonias have succulent stems; shiny, rounded, green or reddish-brown leaves and grow in a mounded habit. … Tuberous begonias come in two forms, either upright or trailing, and have green or burgundy leaves. Their single, double or ruffled flowers bloom in shades of pink, yellow, orange, red, or white.
What do begonia tubers look like?
A begonia tuber is shaped like a little brown bowl. Sprouts emerge from inside the cupped area and roots form on all sides of the tuber. For best results, encourage the tubers to sprout before planting them in pots or in the garden. Put them in a warm (70°F) area with indirect light.
How to plant wax begonias?
Plant seedlings in well-drained, moist soil in a part sun or shade location after all danger of frost has passed. Space plants 8 inches apart in beds and closer together in containers. Keep the plants well watered. Be careful not to overwater.
How to prune cane begonias?
Pinching and Pruning Pinching back your begonias is the first step to correct legginess. For small plants on windowsills, or seedlings for the garden, pinching out the tiny new leaves on the growing tips of the begonias will force new growth along the stem and encourage dense, compact plants.
How many begonia bulbs for hanging basket?
For a 14” hanging basket (not including any side panels) 7-8 plants. For a 16” hanging basket (not including any side panels) 8-9 plants.
Are begonias hard to care for?
It’s time for a begonia. Begonias are some of the most beautiful, visually interesting plants you can grow indoors. However, they can be a bit picky about light and water, though not overly delicate, making them a great intermediate-level plant project.
When is the best time to buy begonias?
Spring is the best time to buy begonias – you’ll have the biggest selection to choose from and you’ll get much better value for money than if you wait until the summer and buy ready-grown ones. They’re supplied as tubers during spring, ready for you to grow on from home.
How to look after begonias after flowering?
Cut back most of the top of the plant, leaving the ball of roots and soil intact. Place in a dry, cool storage area (a basement or garage) and allow the tubers to cure for several weeks. After curing, shake off the soil and remove the remaining stalks and roots.
What does the name begonia mean?
The name Begonia is a girl’s name meaning “Begon’s flower”. Begonia is a pretty flower named for French administrator and amateur horticulturalist Michel Bégon.
Can you overwinter begonias indoors?
Yes, you can overwinter begonias in pots. Fibrous types can be kept as a houseplant, while tuberous varieties should be stored dormant in a cool, dark location. Overwintering begonias is easy, and it’s a great way to save your favorite varieties every year.
How to store tuberous begonia bulbs?
Store begonia tubers individually in paper bags or line them in a single layer atop newspaper. Place these in a cardboard box in a cool, dark, dry location. You should also be overwintering a begonia grown outdoors in containers. Pot-grown begonia plants can be stored in their containers as long as they remain dry.
How to cut back indoor begonias?
Use clean, sharp shears or a knife to cut the stems back to a leaf node. Begonias can be cut back to within 3 inches of the soil to revitalize them, if necessary, but pinching and pruning is not the end of the story. Sterilize pruning tools with household disinfectant spray before and after use.
How to tell what kind of begonia i have?
They can often be identified by their prominent flowers, which can be single, double, ruffled, scented or multicolored, and range in size from 1/2-inch diameter to the size of a dinner plate.
Can you overwinter wax begonias?
These begonias should be brought indoors for overwintering rather than digging them up. … Keep wax begonias in a bright window and gradually reduce the amount of light to help them adjust to an indoor environment. Increase humidity levels but cut down on watering over winter.
How to dead head begonia?
Grab the stem, about 1/2 inch below the faded flower, with your thumb and index or middle finger. Pinch the stem to snap the flower off, recommends Galveston County Master Gardeners. Repeat the motion for the other spent flowers. Discard the spent flowers rather than letting them drop below the plant.