do begonias spread out

The hardy begonia reaches 2 to 3 feet in height. This begonia will form a large mass in the landscape; therefore, be sure to give it plenty of space as it will spread. Small, pink flowers bloom in drooping clusters above the leaves in late summer.

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Do begonias grow well in summer?

As their foliage fills with early season flowers, the plants tend to keep on producing massive bloom sets without running out of steam by late summer or fall. But even more, begonias hold up well to the rigors of summer’s heat and often dry conditions. This durable plant can handle a fair amount of sun or shade.

Why are my begonias not blooming?

But the real key is to use a light dose of nutrients in place of full strength applications. As with nearly all annual flowers, if given too much fertilizer too quickly, begonias will use the energy to grow more foliage and roots, and not produce blooms.

Can you root begonias from stem cuttings?

Stem cuttings can be a bit complex, as it depends on the type of plant. Rhizomatous, tuberous, and rex begonias can root from any portion of the stem. All other stem cuttings need to have nodes with buds on them to develop a proper plant after rooting. Rhizome cuttings can only be done on a rhizomatous begonia plant.

Do begonias make babies?

Try propagating your begonias to share or save. Try propagating your begonias to share or save. Birds do it, bees do it, and even begonias do it—they make babies. One way begonias make babies is with a little help from gardeners like us.

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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 wide do begonias spread?

Native to Brazil, Begonia semperflorens can be winter hardy in zones 10-11, but they are grown as annuals in most of the United States. Sometimes called fibrous begonia, these deer-resistant, non-invasive plants form small clumps that grow anywhere from 6 to 18 inches tall and spread 6 to 12 inches.

How wide do begonias grow?

Begonia OverviewGenus NameBegoniaLightPart Sun, Shade, SunHeight6 to 12 inchesWidth6 to 12 inchesFlower ColorOrange, Pink, White, Yellow6 more rows•Oct 3, 2022

How far apart should I plant begonias?

Spacing: Begonia tubers should be spaced about 1 foot apart in the garden, but can be planted closer together in hanging baskets and window boxes. For one begonia plant, a 6 inch pot is the smallest recommended size.

How many begonias can be planted together?

Typically, you can fit 3-5 begonia tubers in a 10-12” diameter planter, depending on how full you want the planter to look. If you want to combine the begonia tubers with some green, white and gold foliage plant with Candidum Caladium and Color Festival Hosta for a fresh appearance.

Will my begonias come back next year?

Most begonias are annuals (last only one season). You can save tubers from tuberous begonias to replant the next year or bring annual begonias in as houseplants in winter. Some rhizomatous and hardy begonias (B. grandis) are perennial, or come back year after year, in warmer regions.

How long will begonias last?

No begonia has a long life span. Most only live for 2 to 3 years, even with good care.

How do I make my begonia Bushy?

Pinch the stems back to the first or second healthy bud from the tip. You can repeat this process two or three times at about four week intervals to encourage maximum bushiness. Pinching forces the begonia to branch at the pinch point, resulting in more stems, leaves and flowers.

Will my begonias get bigger?

The blooms will be up to four inches wide. You can make the begonias grow bigger by caring for them properly. This means planting them in well-draining soil, giving them the right amount of sunlight, and watering the begonias enough without going overboard.

How many begonias are in a wall basket?

A guideline for planting quantities: 3 tubers for a 12″ basket / pot. 5 tubers for a 14″ basket / pot. 7 tubers for a 16″ basket / pot.

How many begonia bulbs are in a hanging basket?

When planting up hanging baskets, allow 3 tubers for each 12” basket. Immediately after potting, water well and then grow them on in bright, frost-free conditions, watering only when the compost gets quite dry.

Where is the best place to plant a begonia?

Begonias grow well in dappled or partial shade – avoid south-facing spots as the foliage can burn in direct sunlight. If you're growing begonias in a greenhouse, shading may be required. Tuberous begonias are ideal for growing in pots and hanging baskets.

How many begonias are in a wall basket?

A guideline for planting quantities: 3 tubers for a 12″ basket / pot. 5 tubers for a 14″ basket / pot. 7 tubers for a 16″ basket / pot.

How do I make my begonia Bushy?

Pinch the stems back to the first or second healthy bud from the tip. You can repeat this process two or three times at about four week intervals to encourage maximum bushiness. Pinching forces the begonia to branch at the pinch point, resulting in more stems, leaves and flowers.

How fast do begonias grow?

It takes 12 to 14 weeks for a tuberous begonia to bloom after the tubers are planted, so most gardeners like to start their begonias indoors eight weeks before the last frost date or even sooner. You can grow tuberous begonias in any pot that has drainage holes and is large enough to fit the bulb.

How many begonia bulbs are in a hanging basket?

When planting up hanging baskets, allow 3 tubers for each 12” basket. Immediately after potting, water well and then grow them on in bright, frost-free conditions, watering only when the compost gets quite dry.

How to replant tuber begonias?

Dig tubers before the first frost. Cut tops back to within a couple of inches of the tubers. After dry ing, pack the tubers in cardboard boxes between layers of vermiculite, peat moss, or wood shavings and store at 45 to 55° F.

What are the problems with begonias?

The major pests of begonias are mealy bugs, spider mites, thrips, scales, snails, and slugs. Begonias may be sensitive to insecticidal soaps. For more information on how to test a small application area for sensitivity, see HGIC 2771, Insecticidal Soaps for Garden Pest Control. Begonias are also vulnerable to viruses transmitted by thrips like Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus (INSV) and Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV). Viral infection can cause distorted leaves, black patches on the leaves, or light-colored rings or wavy lines to form on the leaves or blooms. Remove infected plants to mitigate the spread of viruses. For more information on insect and disease problems, see HGIC 2104, Flowering Bulb Insect Pests, HGIC 2049, Powdery Mildew, and HGIC 2100, Gray Mold (Botrytis Blight).

How many species of begonias are there?

The Begonia genus is a large and varied group, with more than 1,000 different species. The most common begonias for growing in southern landscapes are the fibrous-rooted semperflorens begonias (or wax begonias) and tuberous begonias.

What is the best begonia to grow?

For beautiful foliage and a constant display of color throughout the season, grow begonias, such as this beautiful Angel Wing Begonia ( Begonia coccinea ).

How to grow wax begonias from seed?

Wax begonias can be grown from seed. Sow the tiny, dust-like seed indoors, on top of the growing medium, without covering, at 68 to 75° F. Start seed about 12 weeks before planting outdoors. Since the seed is tiny, it is often offered in a pelleted form to make handling the seed easier.

Why does Dragon Wing Begonia rebloom?

Dragon Wing Begonia ( ( Begonia x hybrida ‘Bepared’) reliably reblooms because it is sterile and does not expend energy on producing seeds.

How big are tuberous begonias?

Tuberous begonias have 2- to 4-inch wide flowers in white, yellow, orange, rose, red, and pink. They are available either in upright varieties or with trailing stems 12 to 18 inches long. The trailing types are nice to plant in hanging baskets.

How to propagate begonias?

Here’s a quick overview on how to propogate begonias: 1 Cut about a 4″ stem off the mother plant. 2 Place the stem (s) in a glass of water (a few inches of water is fine) and place on a windowsill. 3 Re-fill the water as needed until the stems begin to sprout tiny roots (may take about a month or so). 4 Once the roots are mature enough, plant the cuttings in some well-drained soil and water and fertilizer. The plant may struggle at first in its new environment, but with the proper care, it’ll grow into a begonia plant of its own.

How to grow begonias from cuttings?

Once the roots are mature enough, plant the cuttings in some well-drained soil and water and fertilizer. The plant may struggle at first in its new environment, but with the proper care, it’ll grow into a begonia plant of its own.

What are begonias?

Begonias are easy-care plants that thrive in sun or shade, with moderate watering and fertilizer needs.

How to grow begonias in a hanging basket?

If you are growing begonias in a hanging basket, try lifting the basket from beneath to feel the weight of the hanging basket. The more you do this, the better you’ll get a feel for when the plant needs water. If the hanging basket is in need of watering, it’ll feel noticeably light.

How hot does it have to be for begonias to grow?

Ideally, begonias will grow best if they aren’t exposed to overnight temperatures below 60 degrees. This is especially true if the begonia plants are not hardened off.

How big do begonias get?

Begonias can grow as tall and wide as 20″ tall and wide. Again, this varies according to the type of begonia. While BIG begonias can get as large as 20″, other varieties may max out at 12″.

How far off the stem of a sage plant?

Cut about a 4″ stem off the mother plant.

How to make baby begonias?

To make babies from cuttings, start by snipping a few healthy leaves from your favorite begonia. Turn the leaves upside down, and slice them into wedges with a sharp, clean knife. (If you use a razor blade, be very careful!) Make sure you get a vein in each piece. You can get a lot of baby plants with this method.

When do begonias bloom?

Follow these easy steps to divide perennials. The hardy begonia has red stems and starts blooming in late summer.

How to grow a rhizome from a cutting?

Simply cut a rhizome into pieces about 1” to 1 ½” long, and press them gently into moistened potting soil, or a moistened mix of perlite and vermiculite. As with the leaf cuttings, give them high humidity and keep them in a warm, well-lit spot out of direct sunlight until roots begin to form.

How to make a nursery for cuttings?

To make a “nursery” for your leaves or cuttings, fill a tray with well-draining, sterile potting mix. You can use a mixture of perlite, vermiculite and peat moss, if you prefer. Stick the leaf petioles or wedges into the soil, and slip the tray into a plastic bag.

How long does it take for a plant to grow roots?

This could invite disease or rot. You should see roots starting to form in 3 or 4 weeks. In 6 to 8 weeks from the time you started, you’ll have baby plantlets ready to move into the garden or containers.

How to spread the love of flowers?

Spread the floral love by multiplying your flower supply. Dividing your lilies is easy!

Can begonias be planted from seed?

One way begonias make babies is with a little help from gardeners like us. You can grow begonias from seed, but it’s much easier to propagate them from cuttings instead, and you can do this with most kinds of begonias.

Planting Begonias

Choose a Begonia hardy to your climate zone, or plan to take inside as a houseplant in winter. Find a location for your Begonia that is protected from the afternoon sun or drying winds, and that has consistent moisture and soil high in nutrients and organic matter.

Watering Begonias

Begonias don’t like to dry out, but neither do they like wet feet. They like that sweet spot of “moist and well-drained” soil conditions. Going too wet or too dry can cause buds to close up or drop off. Give your Begonia at least an inch of water per week, more while getting established during dry or hot weather.

Fertilizing Begonias

Begonias like to be fed consistently for the best performance. A balanced fertilizer used at half strength every other week will give good results in the early part of the growing season. A ration of 5-1-1 is recommended. Once buds set add a dilute liquid low-nitrogen fertilizer weekly.

Pruning Begonias

The only pruning needed is if plants become leggy. Pinching the growth tips above a growing leaf can be done early preventatively, or at any time during the growing season. The best time for dividing is spring.

Caring For Begonia in Pots

When temperatures are over 55 degrees F, you can plant a potted Begonia outdoors. Choose a Begonia hardy to your climate zone, or plan to take inside as a houseplant in winter.

Winter Care for Begonia

In winter, in zones 8-11 where they may be hardy, protect the pot with frost cloth and move against a warm but sheltered wall. If not hardy, bring inside, cut back on watering, put in a bright morning sun location, and stop fertilizing. Try to ensure warm days and cool night temperatures in a range of 66 to 75 degrees F.

Common Begonias Care Questions

Far and away, the most common cause of mold on begonia leaves is overwatering and leaving the plant sitting in wet soil. Begonias like the humidity but not waterlogged soil or wet leaves. Avoid watering misting in the evening hours, or allowing water to sit on the leaves.

Why do begonias not bloom?

As with nearly all annual flowers, if given too much fertilizer too quickly, begonias will use the energy to grow more foliage and roots, and not produce blooms. In addition to leading to less blooms, large doses of fertilizer also cause container plants to outgrow their space long before summer comes to an end.

Why do begonias struggle?

In fact, when and if begonias struggle, it’s almost always due to poor soil conditions. Because of this, it’s important to provide them with loose, fertile and well-draining soil when you plant.

How to keep begonias blooming all summer long?

How To Keep Begonias Blooming Big & Strong, All Summer Long! Begonias are the perfect choice for adding big color to your flowerbeds, pots and containers, especially when you can keep them blooming strong from late spring to late fall. With their beautiful canopy of leaves, and a wide array of colorful bloom and foliage options, ...

What is the best way to grow begonias?

providing good soil that drains well. selecting a suitable location. providing adequate water. supplying plenty of nutrients for blooms and flowers . With good soil, adequate water and plenty of nutrients, begonias will thrive. They are perfect for adding big color to patios and porches, or directly in flowerbeds too.

Why do begonias need water?

Begonias rely on moisture in the soil to keep their tuberous roots healthy and active. However, as noted earlier, too much water can cause their roots to rot and decay.

Do begonias flourish?

If those four needs are met, your begonias are almost certain to flourish! Here is a look at each, and how to provide the perfect environment for great looking plants.

Do begonias grow in wet soil?

Whether planting begonias in pot, flowering baskets, or directly into flowerbeds, soil quality is vital to strong growth. Begonias will not perform well in overly wet soil. Their tuberous root systems are highly susceptible to rot when unable to dry out between rainfall or hand watering.

What causes a begonia to die?

Pythium fungi can cause damping off in seedlings. In established older plants, shiny black areas of stem rot will develop on the stems and petioles. These usually appear at or just above the soil line, and usually result in plant death. It can also cause root rot in tuberous begonias.

What is a begonia?

Begonias are hugely popular plants among gardeners. These plants produce tons of colorful flowers and vivid foliage. Stunning as bedding plants or in hanging baskets, these plants can be easy to care for. Named in 1690 for French botanist Michel Bagon, these plants became formal garden fixtures.

Why do begonias lose leaves?

Some varieties of begonias will go into a period of winter dormancy. The plant’s growth will slow or stop, and the plant may lose some of its leaves.

What do begonias look like?

The stems of cane begonias often look bamboo-like. Source: michael clarke. Woody stems that form bamboo -like joints are a sign of a cane begonia. Sometimes referred to as angel-wing begonias, these varieties can get very tall.

How tall do begonias grow?

Like wax begonias, they can develop dense foliage, but these can grow to 4-5 feet in height.

How many types of begonias are there?

Types Of Begonias. The genus Begonia has at least 1831 species, and possibly as many as 2000! Unlike most other plant genuses, most of these will hybridize with other species. Needless to say, there are thousands of cultivars out there, with more coming all the time.

What is a tuberous begonia?

Usually called tuberous begonias, these have an odd root system. They form large, disc-like flat tubers. One apt description was to compare them to cow manure!

How to grow begonias in a garden?

Rather, don’t prepare soil at all, as begonias grow better in soil-free garden mix than then do in typical ‘dirt’. Prepare a mixture of ⅔ peat moss and ⅓ soil-free potting mixture (available at gardening supply stores and nurseries).

Why won't my begonia grow?

If the shade is too dense , your begonias won’t grow properly. Choose an area with indirect sunlight and partial shade.

How to save begonia bulbs?

Save the bulbs. At the end of the year when your plants are all preparing for the winter, you can save the bulbs from your begonias to replant the following spring. Wait until the plant has completely browned, and then pull all the major stems/leaves from the bulb.

How tall do begonias grow?

Begonias typically grow 8-15 inches (20-38 cm) tall and equally as wide. Although they are annuals that require yearly replanting, they are well worth the effort.

What are the different types of begonias?

There are two general types of begonias: those grown from seeds, and those grown from tubers/bulbs. The seed-started begonias tend to be a bit smaller and difficult to grow, while bulb begonias are sturdier and larger plants.

What side do bulbs grow on?

The bulbs are normally roundish with a convex and a concave side. Plant with the concave side up. If it’s ready to sprout, then you may even see some small red ‘dots’ or ‘bumps’ in this side: these are the buds which will form into stems.

Why is my behonia wilting?

It may need more water, but make sure the soil is dry before watering it. Behonias have a tendency to rot, and this may be why it is wilting. Another reason may be that it is going dormant; in the fall, reduce the watering amount to allow the leaf energy to go to the bulb, preparing it for the next year's growth.

Where Do Begonias Grow?

With the exception of one or two species, begonias are tropical or subtropical plants and can be grown as perennials (dying back in fall and regrowing in spring) in zones 9 and 10 of the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What are the conditions for a begonia?

Favorite begonia conditions vary by cultivar, as do their bloom and leaf traits. Still, most have similar cultural requirements, including light, soil, water, and fertilizing. Here are a few tips on care of begonias.

How to keep a tuber from dying?

Keep the soil only slightly moist and, when the stems die back, allow the soil to dry out. Remove the dormant tuber from the soil and treat it with a garden fungicide powder before storing it in a dry indoor location between 55 and 65 degrees until late winter.

What is wax begonia?

This popular wax begonia is a compact bedding plant growing to less than a foot, with variegated leaves and pink flowers. ‘Wax’ Begonia (Begonia semperflorens). Use wax begonia, with its deep green leaves, as a shade-loving annual or a tender perennial in warm zones. ‘Dusty Rose’ Begonia (Begonia × tuberhybrida).

How hot does a begonia plant get?

They prefer daily temperatures around 75 degrees Fahrenheit and overnight lows in the mid-60s, but they can often tolerate higher temperatures with protection from harsh sun rays.

What color are begonia leaves?

The leaves on this type of begonia can be quite colorful, ranging from nearly white and soft yellow to deep purple, green, and red, often in exotic combinations and patterns.

How many species of begonias are there?

With more than 1,200 known species, the Begoniaceae family is one of the largest flowering plant groups. Even so, it’s relatively simple to identify begonias because all of its species fall into three main types, sorted by their root systems.

Height/Spread

Ornamental Features

Problems

• Disease problems associated with begonias include Botrytis blight and stem rot, powdery mildew, and Pythium root and stem rot. The major pests of begonias are mealy bugs, spider mites, thrips, scales, snails, and slugs. Begonias may be sensitive to insecticidal soaps. For more information on how to test a small application area for sensitivity, see...

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