If soil is dry to the touch, the plant needs water. 7 Steps to Take How to Care for a Begonia 1. These easy-to-grow plants prefer warm temperatures, humidity, and moist, well-drained soil. Just as with indoor begonias, outdoor begonias like to be somewhere where they’ll get light, but nothing too strong. Pests. Summary of Wax Begonia care: Wax Begonias (Begonia Semperflorens-Cultorum Group) bloom throughout their growing season in partial sun. In zones 8a and cooler, begonias are annual plants. Easy-to-grow rhizomatous begonias have beautiful tropical-looking leaves, often with amazing patterns. Among the more than 1700 species of begonias, three families stand out: the rhizomatous, the fibrous and the tuberous.. A cross between cane and wax begonias, these plants are ideal for hanging baskets, so you can see their hanging flower clusters. General Care. Plant them as soon as possible after purchase. Gradually reduce watering intervals and stop fertilizing the plants at the end of August. Toxicity of Wax Begonias The Begonia plant family is known to be toxic to animals , and ingesting them can lead to vomiting, salivation, or kidney failure in grazing animals. Hailing from tropical regions, begonias are flowers that are widely used for decoration at home and in the garden. A vital part of any plant’s life is the proper lighting. Although it is noteworthy that there are an infinite number of species and varieties of this plant, it is true that generally require the same care to grow well. Fibrous-rooted begonias are annual plants that have round and waxy leaves and small flowers. In addition to the wax begonias, there are also the lovely dragon-wing begonias, trailing begonias, showy tuberous begonias, rex begonias, and the list goes on! Begonia is a genus of perennial flowering plants in the family Begoniaceae.The genus contains more than 1,800 different plant species. Continue reading to find out just how to care for potted Begonias. In the winter begonias can tolerate cooler temperatures. Some species are commonly grown indoors as ornamental houseplants in cooler climates. You can then place them outside in partial shade. Begonias have a reputation for being difficult. Mealy Bugs. Tuberous Begonias are tender perennials that will need to be moved indoors for the winter months and stored as dormant tubers. There are several different types of begonias. Commonly grown as a houseplant for its foliage, these begonias are also known as painted-leaf or fancy-leaf begonias. All types of begonias are considered annuals outdoors, unless you live in very warm climates. Rieger: This category of begonias is winter-flowering. The soil should be kept moist, but not wet or soggy. If it doesn’t freeze in your area most of them can be left outside year round. When conditions are warm inside, Rex begonias … They’ll bloom from spring to fall in red, pink and white. If your plant buds in September, pinch the buds off. To know how to care for your begonia over the winter, you really need to know what kind of begonia you’re growing. When buying begonias. Begonia plants can occasionally suffer from caterpillars, mealybugs, mites, thrips, vine weevil or aphids. Begonias such as Begonia Rex and Begonia metallica are popular houseplants grown for their attractive foliage or flowers. But, if you don’t mind a challenge (these plants are definitely hobbyist plants), the results can be very rewarding. The choice of the type of begonia if we want it to grow indoors is important. Begonias are a large family of beautiful tropical flowers that can liven up any garden. Outdoor Placement. Growing begonias takes a bit of patience, skill and knowledge to get the most out of this fun flower. The American Begonia Society calls Begonia rex “the showboat of the begonia world.” That may be, but the king begonia, or Begonia Rex Cultorum Group as they are more formally known, may just be my Achilles’ heel: a plant that simply will not thrive for me, however much care and attention I lavish on it. Rex: Rex begonias are entirely their own class of begonia. Diseases. Indoors they will grow as a perennial and come back year after year. Try to water the soil around the plants rather than the plants themselves, to avoid mildew. If it is wet, it has received too much. Below, learn how to care for an exotic and colorful member of the Begonia plant genus, the Angel Wing Begonia. In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about Wax Begonia care. Tuberous begonias are usually grown in pots, but there are also hanging basket varieties. 2) Begonias like to sit in locations that have daily full to partial morning sunlight. Wax begonias and angel-wing begonias are usually grown as outdoor annuals or indoor houseplants. Tuberous begonias can suffer from powdery mildew, fungal leaf spots, or … Grow them from leaf cuttings or by dividing the rhizomes. Winter Care for Tuberous Begonias. Find out which species your begonia belongs to. Planting and Care. You can maintain fibrous begonias, which often have waxy leaves and always have traditional root balls, for 2-3 years with proper indoor and outdoor care. These shade-loving plants bring mounds of color when planted under trees or tucked in planters, hanging baskets, or window boxes. Foliage begonias . Read on to find out what you need to know about growing begonias. I put my begonias in the greenhouse before the first freeze. The Begonias are native to moist subtropical and tropical climates. Light. In terms of natural light, you will find that Begonias tend to do well in just about any window apart from north-facing windows. Begonias thrive in a … Begonias prefer light shade, and foliage may scorch when exposed to the full sun. I have begonias growing outside in the summer, and then in the fall I either take cuttings or bring the whole plant indoors to use as a house plant. There are so many new varieties of begonias to choose from nowadays! Called ‘Angel Wing’ because of the shape of the heart-shaped, often speckled foliage, they … Cane-stemmed begonias. They are one of the most common ornamental begonias because of their prolific flowering which makes them perfect bedding plants. Rhizomatous and rex begonias are valued for their decorative foliage. Once they get their first set of true leaves, you can transplant your baby wax begonias to their own containers and harden them off before planting them up outside. These begonias (Begonia coccinea) can grow to 2m with straight stems and showy clusters of pendulous waxy flowers from mid-summer to late-autumn. Tuberous begonias (Begonia Tuberhybrida Hybrids) are among the most spectacular of all begonias but they are also the most difficult to grow. Dig … Three essential care tips for begonias. However, to ensure proper begonia care, you should be wintering over begonias indoors if you live in areas prone to freezing temperatures, such as northern climates. Rex begonias with good care are usually bothered by only a couple problems and keeping fallen leaf debris cleaned up, making sure it gets adequate circulation of air, and proper water goes a long way in prevention. 3) Put the plant on a regular watering schedule. Though they are generally only hardy in USDA zones 9 to 11, tuberous begonias are quite easy to take care of. Begonias are annual flowers and they grow quickly and fill up a lot of space in empty gardens. Inspect the plant carefully for any signs of disease or insect damage. Allow the foliage to yellow until it is completely dead or until the first frost. The advice given here will help guide you to growing success. They grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11, but can also grow as annuals or as houseplants, needing only basic care and occasional trimming to thrive. They thrive outdoors in frost-free areas but are equally at home in containers which can be moved into shelter in winter. Fibrous and rhizomatous begonias are easy to grow as house plants, but tuberous begonias need to be stored as bulbs over the winter, and hardy begonias should just be left outside. I do not use the heater in the greenhouse unless the temperature goes below 40 degrees. They endure the elements of wind and rain and greatly enhance your garden from June through October. They cannot be left to overwinter in the garden or containers, unless you are living in a part of the world that no cold winters. For example, some types of tuberous begonias (Begonia tuberosa) have this type of growth habit and do especially well as hanging plants. Feed Begonias with a well-balanced plant food every 2 to 3 weeks. Take care not to damage the tuber. The colorful blooms and bright leaves are a beautiful addition to most gardens and shouldn't be shied away from by beginner or advanced gardeners. They prefer room temperatures and slightly moist, rich, well-draining soil … Begonias are fairly robust but you will need to look out for and treat these problems to keep your plants in tip-top shape. Many have eye-catching flower spikes. At the first sign of a white patch on any of the leaves apply a fungicide right away. Flowering plants and houseplants can be very easy to look-after (like the aloe vera) or quite difficult (orchids, bonsai). They are rhizomatous, meaning they typically grow horizontally and with shortened stems. If you're looking for a beautiful flower to fill your garden with, begonias are your best bet! Begonia plants, regardless of type, cannot withstand freezing cold temperatures and require appropriate winter care.Overwintering a begonia is not always necessary in warmer environments, as winters are generally less severe. Too much water can cause root rot and kill the begonia. The leaves may have bold shapes or striking, often silver markings. Most rex begonias sold today are named hybrids, although they are not always labeled as such. Wax Begonia varieties don’t need quite as much room to grow; you can space them six to eight inches apart. Begonias can be used in mass plantings, or they can be mixed with other annuals. Like other begonias, they prefer filtered shade and well-drained soil that’s rich in organic matter. Wax begonias: The most common are Begonia semperflorens varieties, also called wax, annual, or bedding begonias. This group includes cane (angel wing) begonias and wax begonias (Begonia × semperflorens-cultorum) (2). The hotter the climate, the more shade they will prefer. Begonias make for some beautiful garden decor and they're relatively easy to grow and care for! Rex begonias (Begonia rex) are tropical plants, prized for their colorfully patterned and intriguingly shaped leaves.Although they are at home in a shady garden, they are also popular as houseplants.Many people collect and display several varieties. Tuberous begonias: Wax begonias are typically grown as annuals, reaching 6 to 12 inches tall and wide. When planting Begonias outside, space them about 12 inches apart to allow for adequate growing room. Stake stems as required. Both grow from a clump of roots and are winter hardy in growing zones 9-11. Noteworthy Tips on How to Care for Your Alluring Angel Wing Begonia. 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