If you have a Rex Begonia, remove the small flower buds as they start to emerge so that the plant can concentrate its energy on the foliage. Grooming: Flowering begonias often bloom continuously for months, so be sure to remove spent flowers and dead leaves to keep plants looking their best. If you choose to use an all-purpose product for indoor plants, you may want to dilute it to one-quarter strength for a gentler feeding. Look for a fertilizer labeled specifically for begonias, and follow package instructions for application rates and frequency. Another option is to set your begonia on a pebble tray to keep the surrounding air moist (see Sidebar).įertilizer: Apply fertilizer regularly when plants are actively growing, producing new leaves and/or flowers. Humidity: Begonias thrive on humidity! If the air in your home is dry, mist your plants daily or try using a humidifier. Let it rest for about ½ hour, and repeat-discard any water that has pooled in the plant saucer or decorative outer pot. Always check soil before watering, and when it feels dry ½ to 1 inch below the surface, pour water slowly over the surface until it runs out the holes in the bottom of your pot. Water: Don’t over water your begonias – they like consistently moist soil, but soggy soil will do them in. Direct sunlight will scorch their leaves. Place them near a sunny window or under a lamp. Light: Begonias prefer bright but diffused light. Care TipsĪfter arriving home with your new begonia, you may ask yourself “Now what? " Whether you're growing begonias for the flowers or foliage, with a little know-how you can keep them looking their best. They produce spectacular flowers, ranging from abundant ½-inch blooms or voluptuous dinner-plate sized flowers. Among tuberous begonias, Rieger begonias are a favorite for brightening a room or adding pizzaz to a party. Tuberous begonias are for anyone who loves tropical color. With rhizomatous begonias, their delicate flowers are almost an afterthought! Among the most popular rhizomatous begonias is the Rex begonia which has an almost endless variety of speckled, painted, swirled, tucked and scalloped leaves in shades of green, chartreuse, mauve, merlot, white, and almost black. Rhizomatous begonias are ideal for someone looking for decorative patterns of color and intricately shaped silhouettes. Begonias are prized grown for their spectacular foliage as much as for their flowers Angel wings and cane begonias are the most well-known for indoor use, and wax begonias ( semperflorens) are indispensable for the summer garden. Tuberous begonias can also be grown indoors but do best as temporary flowering plants rather than long-term indoor accents because their growth cycle includes a dormancy period when flowers and foliage both die back.įibrous begonias are prized for their charming year-round flowers. There are three types of begonias based on their root structure - fibrous, rhizomatous, and tuberous. In general, fibrous and rhizomatous begonias make the best indoor plants. Botanists began crossbreeding and hybridizing begonias in earnest to create the variety of colors, textures, and sizes we enjoy today. Others were unintentionally mixed with orchids shipped from India to England in 1856.Įventually Richard Pierce discovered new species of begonias in unusual shades of yellow, red, and orange in the Andes Mountains, which intensified interest in these spectacular plants. Some were spread inadvertently to Europe in soil samples shipped from Brazil to the Berlin Botanical Garden in 1821. Plumier passed away shortly after his discovery, and begonias didn’t take hold again in horticulture circles until the mid-1800's - and then quite by accident. He named them for his patron, Michel Begon, an amateur botanist who was also the governor of Haiti. They were discovered in 1690 by a Franciscan Monk, Charles Plumier, while on expedition in the rainforest of Brazil searching for medicinal plants. Historyīegonia is a genus of over 1,000 species native to tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. They’re forgiving of neglect, tolerating forgetful gardeners by storing water in their stems to survive periods of drought. You may be familiar with begonias from your outdoor gardening but these diverse plants can also bring a new dimension to the indoor experience. Begonias prefer low levels of light and shine where other plants struggle. Prefer a tapestry of richly colored and textured foliage? There is a begonia for that, too. You'll also find petite, delicate blossoms in soft blush or pure white. Looking for a long display of flowers? There are begonias with large, lush, vibrant blooms in shades of scarlet, orange, or lemon. Begonias are ideal indoor plants - adding gorgeous color and forgiving neglectīegonias offer something for everyone.
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