Can Begonias Be Trimmed?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Can begonias be trimmed? Rhizomatous and fibrous rooted begonias don’t die back but

they are usually pruned annually to keep them full and blooming properly

. In warm climates, begonia plant pruning is usually done in spring.

How do you keep begonias short?

You can

cut back the stems at any time during spring or early summer when the begonia is in its active growth cycle

. Trim back the tall stems by up to two-thirds their height. The begonia will produce new leaves from the base of the cane.

Can I cut back leggy 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 do you trim a begonia plant?

How do you prune begonias in the winter?


Cut back begonia stems to three or four inches above the tuber in fall as you prepare to overwinter them

. Do this for tuberous begonias when you bring them into a frost-free space for winter. The stems of hardy begonias, will die back naturally if you’re leaving them outside for winter under a mulch.

When should you cut back begonias?

Cut back the growing tips on begonias branches

every 2 to 4 weeks or if your plants become leggy

. The plant will produce new branches from the pinched point. Additional stems provide more opportunities for the begonia to create flowers. Tuberous begonias die back every year.

Where do you pinch off begonias?

  1. Grasp a stem of a begonia plant with your thumb and forefinger below the growing tip but just above a node where two lower leaves grow.
  2. Pinch the stem just above the leaf node with your fingernails on either side to sever the stem, leaving the leaves at the node intact.

Should you deadhead 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 are my begonias falling over?


Overwatering and underwatering are the most common causes of a begonia wilting

. Begonias wilt quickly once their soil dries out, but maintaining excessively wet soil can also result in dramatic wilting due to root rot. Temperature stress, transplant shock, pests, and disease can also cause drooping.

What to do with begonias after flowering?

Do begonias grow back?

If tuberous begonias are exposed to freezing temperatures for extended periods of time, the portions of the plants that are above the ground will die. But

in the spring, the plant will regrow from its underground tubers that stay dormant throughout the winter

.

Can you leave begonias in pots over winter?

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

. They should also be relocated to a protected area that’s cool, dark, and dry. Pots can be left in an upright position or slightly tipped.

How do you prune a tuberous begonia?

How do I save begonias for next year?

  1. Remove plant from pot before hard frosts occur. …
  2. Place in a dry, cool storage area (a basement or garage) and allow the tubers to cure for several weeks.
  3. After curing, shake off the soil and remove the remaining stalks and roots.

Are all begonias tuberous?


Some begonias are semi-tuberous

, with a swelling at the stem base instead of a true tuber. These begonias have tiny leaves with small flowers that are usually white but sometimes pink. Don’t confuse shrub begonias with rhizomatous begonias.

How often do you water begonias?

Begonias thrive in soil that is neither dry nor saturated. Your goal is to find a moisture level and watering schedule that is justttt right. 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.

Do begonias like sun or 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.

How do you get begonias to rebloom?


A balanced liquid fertilizer will help encourage your begonias to bloom

. Dilute the fertilizer with water at a ratio of 3 parts water to 1 part fertilizer, then pour the solution around the base of the plant. Fertilize the begonias when you first plant them and then once every 3 weeks after that.

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.

How do you care for potted begonias outside?

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 do I keep begonias healthy?

These plants like to stay damp, and not dry out completely, but they hate having their roots sitting in water.

Use well draining soil, with some compost material, to help retain moisture

. Always water at the base of the plant, as they are susceptible to leaf rot and spots if the leaves get damp.

What does an overwatered begonia look like?

An overwatered begonia will have

yellowing leaves, beginning at the base

. You may also see brown leaf tips despite the plant’s location having good humidity. The leaves may start to drop off, and they will feel soft and mushy.

Can you root begonia cuttings in water?

begonia cutting in water

But

making baby begonias can be even easier if you root your cuttings in a glass of clean, fresh water

. Baby food jars are the ideal size for this. It’s fine to put several cuttings in each jar. Once the roots are about 1⁄2” long, the cuttings are ready to transplant.

Can begonias take full sun?

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.

Can I save begonias over the 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.

Do begonias multiply?


Begonia tubers can be forced to propagate by dividing stem and tuber cuttings and will propagate on their own by seeding and by naturalization in the landscape

. Even under the best circumstances, begonias can be finicky to propagate and the failure rate can be quite high.

How long will begonias last?

No begonia has a long life span. Most only live for

2 to 3 years

, even with good care. Cane begonias such as angel wings go dormant if the temperature gets too cool.

What does a tuberous begonia look like?

An orange tuberous begonia. Tuberous begonias are popular for their beautiful flowers that come in a variety of colors and forms.

Red, orange, yellow, white, salmon and pink blooms may be single or double and may be plain, ruffled or toothed. Their petals may have margins, crests or blotches of contrasting color

.

How big will begonias get?

What is the lowest temperature begonias can tolerate?

Most species of begonias can be damaged by temperatures lower than

45 or 50 degrees

.

Can I bring my begonia inside for the winter?


Fibrous-rooted begonias are easy to bring indoors and grow during the winter

.

Do begonias reseed themselves?

How do you wake up begonia tubers?

If you simply brought last year’s tubers indoors in their pot and the pot is stored somewhere dark and cool at the moment, just

bring it into a warm, moderately lit spot and start watering

. Gentle heat, about 70 to 75 ̊F (21 to 24 ° C), will help wake them up.

Are all begonias tuberous?


Some begonias are semi-tuberous

, with a swelling at the stem base instead of a true tuber. These begonias have tiny leaves with small flowers that are usually white but sometimes pink. Don’t confuse shrub begonias with rhizomatous begonias.

What facing window is best for begonia?

Most begonias do best in bright but not direct sunlight. They are warm-season plants and prefer room temperatures above 65 degrees.

In summer, locate begonias in east- and north-facing windows, and in winter, east, south and west facing windows are best

.

What to do with begonias after flowering?

Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.