Due to the wide variety of begonia plant types, sunlight requirements may vary. But most begonias will grow great in either full sun or full shade. If you are looking for ideal growing conditions, try giving the plant part shade, with
4 to 6 hours of morning sunlight
.
Can begonias be in the sun all day?
Most begonias grow best in part shade (4 to 6 hours of direct morning sun a day), or filtered sun (as through trees).
Most will tolerate full shade (no direct or filtered sun)
, but won’t be as dense and usually have fewer flowers. A few grow in full sun. They prefer moist, but not soggy, soils.
How often should begonias be watered?
A good rule of thumb is to water
every two to four days
. When it’s hot and dry you’ll need to water more often than when the air cools down and the soil holds more moisture. Begonia plants in full sun will also require more water than plants in shady locations.
How do you keep begonias blooming?
Select a location receiving more direct morning or evening sunlight than mid day sun
. Early morning / late day sunlight is much cooler with less intense rays. By keeping begonias out of the mid-day direct sun, the plants have less stress, and will produce more blooms.
Can I leave begonias in pots over winter?
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. What is this? Overwintering begonias is easy, and it’s a great way to save your favorite varieties every year.
Can begonias survive indoors?
Generally,
fibrous and rhizomatous begonias make excellent houseplants while tuberous begonias can be grown as houseplants but have a harder time surviving due to the need for higher humidity and light than the other two kinds
. Care of begonias indoors starts with the proper location.
Will begonias bloom indoors?
Fibrous and rhizomatous Begonias are usually the easiest to grow indoors
. They have showy leaves, but less significant flowers. Tuberous Begonias are the ones with the big showy blossoms that do best outside.
How do you take care of a begonia?
Plant both annual and perennial begonia types in partial shade, with moist, well-drained soil high in organic content
. They need bright light to flower, but too much direct sunlight may scorch the leaves. Ideally, choose a site with morning sun and afternoon shade or dappled sunlight beneath an open tree canopy.
What does an overwatered begonia look like?
An overwatered Begonia will have
soft, soggy leaves
that instantly tell you that you might have gone a little wild with the water. Another factor to look out for is wet muddy soil. That is a sure-fire sign that overwatering, and not underwatering, is the cause of your plant looking so sad.
What month do begonias flower?
Starting begonia tubers. A tuberous begonia tuber sprouting in a container. In late winter or early spring, purchase tubers or start those you have stored.
Tubers started in February should begin to bloom in June; those started in March or early April should bloom in July
.
Is Miracle Grow good for begonias?
Miracle-Gro is a great fertilizer to use on begonias
. The brand also has several different formulas that you can use for these plants. It can be applied to both young and older plants.
Do begonias do well in shade?
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 heat?
Morning sun (and a little afternoon shade) is perfect. Wax begonias can tolerate more sun than other types, and the ones with bronze-colored leaves are the most sun-tolerant of all.
Tuberous begonias prefer more shade and less heat
, so we often see them on display in late summer.
Can begonias take afternoon sun?
Begonias do best when they get this sunlight in the morning and late afternoon
, with shelter from the most intense mid-day sunlight. The bronze-leaved wax begonias are the begonia varieties most likely to thrive in hot sunlight without afternoon shade.
Should I deadhead my begonias?
Hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 6 through 11, depending on the cultivar, begonias (Begonia spp.)
do not require deadheading to thrive
. Rather they self-clean by dropping spent flowers on their own, says the University of Illinois Extension.
Why is my begonia not flowering?
The tuberous begonia suffers flower bud drop if it is
overwatered or overfertilized
. The plant needs moist soil that dries between waterings. This reduces disease and encourages blooms. The begonia benefits from application of a water-soluble balanced fertilizer once or twice a month.
How long will begonias bloom?
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.
How can you tell if begonia is tuberous?
Begonias with tuberous roots are a large group of complex hybrids involving many species and years of breeding and development. 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.
What do you do with begonias at the end of the season?
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.
Do begonias come back every year UK?
Although often sold as half-hardy annuals,
most Begonias varieties are actually perennials
. However, they are not at all frost hardy. The following article will give you advice on bedding begonias over-winter within the UK. Tuberous rooted (and rhizomatous) varieties can be overwintered in a cool, dark and dry place.
How long do potted begonias last?
Begonias typically live for
2 to 3 years indoors with some varieties surviving as much as 5 years with very good care
. After 2 years, it’s generally recommended to propagate your Begonia, if you wish to keep growing it. As far as outdoor Begonias, they last only one season as they don’t survive the winter.
When should I bring my begonias inside?
Timing Is Important: Bring your begonias inside
before the first frost
, or they may be lost for good. Also, to reduce temperature and humidity shock, take advantage of that wonderful early fall season (when neither the heat nor air conditioning is running nonstop) to get your plants acclimated to the indoors.
What to do with indoor begonias after flowering?
At the end of the flowering season
stop watering and cut off shoots
. Lift tubers from the soil and store in dry peat moss in a cool, dry place. More information on storing and replanting tubers is available in HGIC 1159, Begonia.
Are coffee grounds good for begonias?
A well draining soil mix is a must. Begonias do not like wet feet and will easily drop leaves if they are over watered. … Begonias benefit from an acidic soil, which the peat moss gives it.
Adding some used coffee grounds to the soil will work wonders for begonias
.
Why are the leaves on my begonia turning brown?
The most common cause of brown leaf edges is that
your Begonia is incredibly dry
. Your Begonia likes consistent moisture. Do not allow more than the top half of the soil to dry between watering.
Is begonia an outdoor plant?
Used in containers, hanging baskets and bedding schemes, begonias provide continuous colour throughout the summer until the first frosts. They are easy to care for and all grow well in partial shade.