This results in at least four months of blooms a year and if looked after properly, they will come back year after year so one purchase will give years of enjoyment in your garden. Begonias
Begonia
Begonia is a genus of perennial flowering plants in the family Begoniaceae. The genus contains more than 1,800 different plant species. The Begonias are native to moist subtropical and tropical climates. Some species are commonly grown indoors as ornamental houseplants in cooler cli…
Will begonias come back after a freeze?
Like hardy begonia, these species drop their leaves when exposed to frost, but their rhizomes can survive when temperatures fall below freezing. Because the rhizomes are often very close to the surface of the soil, though, they are more likely to survive if they're covered with a layer of mulch in the winter.
Will begonias live inside?
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. In order to keep and enjoy begonias in the garden each year, begin by wintering begonias indoors.
How to overwinter begonias?
Take the following steps to save your potted tuberous begonia tubers:
- Remove plant from pot before hard frosts occur. ...
- 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. ...
- Store tubers in a dry, dark, cool (above freezing) area.
How do I overwinter tuberous begonias?
How do you keep tuberous begonias over the winter? Remove plant from pot before hard frosts occur. 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 ...
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Can you leave begonias 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.
How do I save my begonias for next year?
Put them on screen trays or pack them in dry peat, sawdust, sand or other insulating material. Store tubers in a dry, dark, cool (above freezing) area. In the spring, start begonia plants by placing the tubers on damp peat moss in a warm environment.
How do you revive begonias after winter?
Clean the pot with bleach, then add sterile potting mix. Replant the begonia and water it, making sure the water drains well, as root rot is more common in waterlogged soil. If the plant is outdoors, move the plant to new location to help prevent reinfection by the root rot fungus.
How many years do begonia tubers last?
The age of the tubers ranges from 2 to 15 years old.
How do I know if my begonias are tuberous?
Tuberous Begonia Leaves They can be double or single petaled, frilled and a variety of colors. The leaves of a tuberous begonia are oval and green and grow about eight inches long. They are in a compact habit like a little bonsai shrub and grow from swollen soft stems.
What do you do with begonias at the end of the season?
At the end of the growing season, simply put the entire plant in your compost pile. If you want to save the begonia tubers and replant them next spring, here's how to do it: Begonias that are in containers can be moved indoors before the first frost. Stop watering and allow the foliage to yellow and die back.
Is my begonia dead?
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.
Will begonias come back after a freeze?
Tuberous Begonias Fall frosts and freezes will cause the above-ground portion of the plant to die back, but the plant will regrow in the spring from underground tubers that go dormant through the winter.
How do you wake up begonia tubers?
Wake Up The Tubers If you purchase begonia tubers in the spring, they may have only recently come out of refrigeration. To help them wake up, put the tubers in a 70°F room where they'll get bright indirect light. After a couple weeks, you should see the first sprouts, and that means it's time to plant.
What do you do with begonia bulbs in the winter?
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 do I know what type of begonia I have?
All begonias with glossy leaves are of this "wax leaf" begonia type. The other major subtype with fibrous roots is the "cane stem" or "angel wing" begonia, which is identified by its elongated, erect canes which can resemble bamboo. Some of these canes reach 12 feet in height, though 2 to 3 feet is more common.
Do tuberous begonias go dormant?
Tuberous begonias will enter a dormant period no matter how they are grown, whether in a greenhouse or outdoors, so they are not suitable as year-round houseplants. (Some others, such as Rieger begonias, are a better choice as indoor flowering plants.) During the dormant period, begonia tubers must be stored indoors.
Can I bring my begonias inside for the winter?
Fibrous-rooted begonias make great house plants over the winter, as do the rhizomatous types (such as Rex begonias), which are grown primarily for their foliage. All you really need is a little space and a bright window, and these types of begonias will continue to grow (and possibly even bloom!) year-round.
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.
Will begonias come back after a freeze?
Tuberous Begonias Fall frosts and freezes will cause the above-ground portion of the plant to die back, but the plant will regrow in the spring from underground tubers that go dormant through the winter.
How do you care for potted begonias?
GROWING BEGONIAS AS HOUSEPLANTSWater and humidity: Probably the quickest way to kill a begonia is too much water. Let them dry out slightly between waterings. ... Location: East-, west-, or south-facing windows are best. ... Potting: Potted begonias prefer to be slightly root-bound rather than given too much room.
How many types of begonias are there?
A. Begonia nomenclature can be confusing with more than 1,800 species known, plus countless hybrids and cultivars. In fact, the American Begonia Society classifies these into seven major groups. I suspect that you planted Begonia semperflorens, also known as fibrous-rooted or wax begonias, which is by far the most popular in the marketplace. I hesitate to say never, but don't bet the farm on these annuals returning.
Can begonias be stored in containers?
On the other hand, there are other species of begonias, like some of the tuberous-rooted types, which can be successfully overwintered with proper protection. These are often grown in containers. In colder climates, the tubers can be lifted and stored over winter. And in warmer areas, they can be winter-protected.
Can begonias be planted in the ground?
Now, your second question. While planting your begonias directly in the ground would not ensure they overwinter, your plants would certainly develop a bigger root system, making it easier for them to thrive and cope more easily with the hot summer. You would not be wasting your time in this regard.
Is Begonia grandis hardy?
Begonia grandis is hardy to Zone 6 (think St. Louis) and is known as "hardy begonia." B. boliviensis "Santa Cruz Sunset" is a tender perennial that is hardy in USDA Zones 7b–10. It takes sun or shade, and tolerates the heat and drought well. Paul Kotarides in Norfolk has been planting it for years, and rather than lifting the tubers, he just buries it, container and all, underneath his leaf pile for the winter. This fantastic begonia comes back every spring.
When do tuber begonias bloom?
Tuberous begonias, which are grown from potato-like tubers, make popular bedding plants (or first-choice options for the flower bed) due to the fast growth of their showy blooms that last from early summer to late fall.
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 long does it take for begonias to dry?
Spread begonia clumps on newspaper and leave this in a sunny area until thoroughly dry — about a week. Once they have sufficiently dried, cut away any remaining foliage and gently shake off excess soil.
How to store begonia tubers?
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 treat wax begonias indoors?
Before bringing wax begonias indoors, however, be sure to treat them for insect pests or powdery mildew first. This can be done by spraying plants or gently washing them with warm water and bleach free dish soap.
Can begonias be wintered?
Wintering Over Begonias in Cold Climates. In order to keep and enjoy begonias in the garden each year, begin by wintering begonias indoors.
Can begonias be brought indoors?
Some begonias can simply be brought indoors prior to the onset of cold weather for continual growth, such as with wax begonias. These begonias should be brought indoors for overwintering rather than digging them up.
Can begonias survive freezing temperatures?
Image by janeyhenning. Begonia plants, regardless of type, cannot with stand freezing cold temperatures and require appropriate winter care. Overwintering a begonia is not always necessary in warmer environments, as winters are generally less severe.
Can wax begonias be transplanted?
Of course, if they’re in the ground, they can be carefully transplanted into containers and brought indoors for growing throughout winter. Since bringing wax begonias indoors can cause stress on plants, which leads to leaf drop, it often helps to acclimate them beforehand.
How to store begonias in the spring?
Store tubers in a dry, dark, cool (above freezing) area. In the spring, start begonia plants by placing the tubers on damp peat moss in a warm environment.
How to get rid of a plant that has been in a pot for a long time?
Remove plant from pot before hard frosts occur. 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.
Can you plant tuberous begonias in pots?
CORVALLIS - Many people enjoy the lush blossoms of tuberous begonias in pots on patios and as outdoor hanging plants. There's no need to throw them away when cold weather hits and the tops die. The tubers can be saved over the winter and planted again the next spring for another year of showy color. Take the following steps to save your potted ...
