problems contact webmaster@doityourself.com. You can grow many of the varieties outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 9 and 10, but you can grow them as annuals or indoors in colder climates. Tuberous begonias prefer the filtered light beneath high trees, or at least 4 hours of morning sun. Always prune back any dead leaves, or branches that appear to be growing back into the begonia plant. Your support helps wikiHow to create more in-depth illustrated articles and videos and to share our trusted brand of instructional content with millions of people all over the world. In dry climates or indoors in winter, provide moisture in the air by misting plants with a spray bottle, placing pots on wet pebbles in a tray, or keeping plants in a greenhouse. Getting the Soil Right Begonias prefer a soil that tends towards being more acidic with a pH of around 5.5 to 6.5. If a lot of your begonias’ leaves go brown, it may be a sign that you need to thin out the foliage to allow the plant to grow properly. Show more segments. We welcome your comments and Begonia pruning takes a little getting used to, but it's not all that difficult. i had better luck with impatients, but I have heard others do well with begonias. Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be Throughout the growing season, regularly check your begonias for any discolored leaves and stems, and remove them with shears or scissors. TIP: Susan advises, "Begonias grown indoors can be pruned at any time." This will make the plant produce two branching stems, rather than a single stem growing straight up. [1] X Research source This step is particularly important if you have cane begonias, such as Angel Wings. Make sure to remove the dead leaves and stems from the floor immediately as they may spread disease into the healthy plant. to this site, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our terms of use. Rex begonias require minimal pruning unless long, bare stems require cutting back, or you’d like to create a fuller plant. Of course, there are some bushier varieties that will get a little unruly, so these may need a bit more attention with the pruners. Once the acclimation period is over and the pots are indoors full-time, give each begonia plant a “winter haircut.”. For most begonias, the blooming season is in the spring and summer. Plant inbetween the big plants 2-3 ferns, hostas, astilbe, or bleeding hearts. link Plant Finder . TIP: Expert gardening advisor, Susan Patterson adds, "Sterilize pruning shears before trimming begonia.". To boost humidity, sit them in a tray of pebbles and water. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. You can also pinch off the young flower buds of tuberous begonias. More potting mix … % of people told us that this article helped them. Choose the longest begonia stem and notice there is a bump, or node, where a leaf or flower will grow. apart … Tuberous begonias should be pruned or cut back in the late fall before the first frost, cutting stems to the rootball or tubers. Indoors they need high humidity and good ventilation to avoid disease problems. Sep 16, 2018 - Russell Young at Garden Gems nursery gives advice on how to prune Begonias for maximum foliage. Begonias are considered cool temperature plants and do best in temperatures ranging from 58 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Feed tuberous begonias weekly with tomato feed in summer, especially pot-grown plants. Only cut off the tops of the few tallest stems. Some varieties of begonia — such as hardy begonia and dragon wing begonia — can reach two to four feet in height. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Begonias are considered cool temperature plants and do best in temperatures ranging from 58 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Again, this encourages a spurt of growth from the begonia. This article has been viewed 39,292 times. Semperflorens begonia Seeds should be sown in pots or trays of seed or multi-purpose compost in February or March and maintained at 21–25°C (73–80°F) The seeds are very small, delicate and vulnerable to rough handling. The mix in clay pots dries out faster so clay will especially help growers who are chronic over-waterers. They should be sown on the surface of … You should be careful not to damage the main stem of the plant while pruning it. Keep in mind the mature size of the varieties you have chosen and plan your container sizes accordingly. Pruning your begonias regularly will keep them under control and looking beautiful in your garden. All rights reserved. Common varieties of begonia include tuberous, cane, semper florens, rex and winter-flowering begonias. link Vegie Guide . Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Repot begonias in a pot once size larger only when the pot becomes rootbound. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 39,292 times. This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. You should cut them back up to 1/3 of the plant after flowering. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Using clean pruning snips simply cut the stem back to the base and the remaining portion should sprout new leaves and stems. Plant begonias using a soilless potting mix in a pot with good drainage in the bottom. The result will be a bushier and healthier plant. Prune shade begonias in spring. Common varieties of begonia include tuberous, cane, semper florens, rex and winter-flowering begonias. if you have the energy, and I am sure your children would love to help, buy a few flats of impatients and/or begonias every year. Another effective pruning technique is to remove the last two sets of leaves at the ends of a long branch. This will encourage several new stems to sprout in place of each stem you pinch. Begonias are particularly susceptible to root rot, so it can also be a good idea to add a layer pebbles or broken shards of old terracotta pots to the bottom for extra drainage. Caring for Begonias. This plant has been popular since the Victorian age, and it is still popular in gardens and homes today.Depending on the species, this plant can grow anywhere from six inches tall up to … Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. In pots, use a light free- draining potting mix containing coco coir, perlite or vermiculite (African violet mix works well). Begonias have fleshy stems and leaves that hold water for long periods of time, so they don’t need constant watering. If the tuberous begonia is growing in a pot, tip the pot over on its side and move it to a sheltered area. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. Certain types of cane begonia (e.g. For cane-like begonias, follow the same process. Shrub begonia generally is between one and three feet in height, although some can grow to a height of 12 feet. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Next, Ryan gently removes the begonia from the plastic pot, loosens the roots with his hands, and places it into the new vessel. You can grow many of the varieties outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 9 and 10, but you can grow them as annuals or indoors in colder climates. Next, Ryan gently removes the begonia from the plastic pot, loosens the roots with his hands, and places it into the new vessel. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. WATER. For more tips from our Gardening co-author, including how to propagate begonia cuttings, read on! Pinch off new growth a few weeks after planting. Zoo Habitats . In either case, make sure to rinse them off thoroughly in water and dry the tools with a hand towel before pruning your plant. The family of begonias is highly versatile and can be grown outside in flower beds, in container gardens, or indoors as a houseplant. One effective technique is pinching the tops of the branches. All information is provided "AS IS." In warm climates, begonia plant pruning is usually done in spring. This will prompt new growth to extend out from the plant. Clean your scissors or pruning shears by soaking them in a diluted bleach and water solution. While mainly pest-free, mealy bugs can be an issue for indoor begonias. For areas that get frost, tuberous begonia needs to be dug up, cut back to the stem or the tubers, dried out and overwintered in a cool, dry location indoors. Pruning is practiced on old overgrown plants or those that have become ungainly and need shaping. Most grow well in pots that are kept moist. i think camelia would do well too. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. suggestions. Begonias come in a rainbow of colors sure to please anyone. For more tips from our Gardening co-author, including how to propagate begonia cuttings, read on! Make sure there are adequate drainage holes; begonia tubers must never sit in waterlogged soil or they will rot. By using our site, you agree to our. Flowering: showy, much-prized flowers in shades of red, pink, white, orange and yellow. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. Amid the current public health and economic crises, when the world is shifting dramatically and we are all learning and adapting to changes in daily life, people need wikiHow more than ever. This article has been viewed 39,292 times. Grow rex in pots and baskets in a well-lit position indoors. Always make your pruning cuts above a leaf or flower node. Rhizomatous begonias should not be pruned until after they’ve bloomed. Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. Never feed tuberous begonias into September as plants should be encouraged to slow down for the year. They also need high humidity (at least 50 percent) to do their best. The wax begonia is a plant that thrives in growing zones 10 and 11 as perennials, but they can also grow in other zones within the country as annuals. The young growths are simply cut from the forced tuber and inserted into either single pots or by numbers into a seed tray or propagator. If you are planting your begonias in a garden bed, make sure to choose a spot with the right amount of light and well-drained soil. Tropical Design . For a garden planting, after the threat of frost has passed, it is advised to plant your nursery plants 18 inches (46 cm.) Be sure to time your pruning correctly, then you can prune your plant to shape it and help it flourish. For example Begonia tenuifolia is a fantastic example of a rhizomatous begonia. More potting mix … Be sure to time your pruning correctly, then you can prune your plant to shape it and help it flourish. Tuberous begonia goes into a dormancy period in late fall. These pruning tips will keep your begonias in good shape. Many types of begonias grow well in clay pots, such as rhizomatous begonias which resent wet potting mix. Begonias come in a rainbow of colors sure to please anyone. Copyright© The foliage arises from an … Too much water can cause plants to turn brown and rot, so allow them to dry out almost completely between waterings. In colder climates, dig up the tubers from the pot and bring inside. This step is particularly important if you have cane begonias, such as Angel Wings. You may freely link In pots, be sure to provide drainage holes. Common varieties of begonia include tuberous, cane, semper florens, rex and winter-flowering begonias. Don’t cut the tips off all of the stems as this may damage the plant. This encourages the begonia plant to foster multiple stems to emerge from the branch tops. Rex begonias prefer light, rich soil. Last Updated: April 30, 2020 Propagating Begonias Pruning Hibiscus . Begonias grow well in the garden and they are also well suited to being a potted plant. DoItYourself.com®, founded in 1995, is the leading independent This will make the plant produce additional blooms. When planting directly in the ground, a moist, well-drained location is optimal and mulch will keep the roots shaded. Pinch off new stems when the newly-planted cane begonia is about 6 inches (15 cm) tall. Begonias under 3 years old can be pruned back to one or two nodes above the soil line to encourage bushy cane growth the following year. https://www.chicagobotanic.org/plantinfo/begonias_angel_wing, http://homeguides.sfgate.com/trim-begonias-64007.html, https://newengland.com/today/living/gardening/how-to-prune-houseplants/, https://www.doityourself.com/stry/pruning-a-begonia, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Website operating I am helping my church. Begonias need regular care, including food, water, and some pruning to keep them looking their best and healthy enough to fight off disease. If your begonias start to get overgrown, cut up to a third of the stems at a time to thin them out. A peat-based potting mix is ideal for containers. Pinching the tips on younger plants helps them grow fuller too. Begonias are a beautiful tropical plant that looks great in any garden, but since they do not grow well in colder climates, those of you who live in a northern location where the weather varies quite a bit will not be able to grow these plants outdoors all year long. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. If you are growing them in pots, use a high quality, humus-rich growing mix. Or, shorten the stems by pruning them to buds that face outwards. The family of begonias is highly versatile and can be grown outside in flower beds, in container gardens, or indoors as a houseplant. If the begonia is in a pot, simply tip the pot on its side and place in an area protected from the wind and rain. Rhizomatous and fibrous rooted begonias don’t die back but they are usually pruned annually to keep them full and blooming properly. Angel Wing) are poisonous and should be kept away from pets and children. Begonia stems can be brittle and easily damaged. Don’t prune more than 1/3 of a begonia at any 1 time as this stresses the plant, which may kill it. Remove dead blooms and brown stems when the pots come in for good. Once they’ve stopped flowering in the fall, cut back their stems to about 4 inches to help them grow back next year. Planting begonias in containers is a sensible choice in colder areas because you can move them inside before the cold affects them. Common varieties of begonia include tuberous, cane, semper florens, rex and winter-flowering begonias. During the growing period, it’s only necessary to prune begonias if they start to become overgrown or to encourage new and more bushy (as opposed to tree-like) growth. submitted to our "DoItYourself.com Community Forums". Rhizomatous begonias should not be pruned until after they’ve bloomed. Begonias make a great addition to the shaded areas of your garden or your house, but they need to be pruned to control their spread, keep their foliage thick and avoid an overgrown look. Self-watering pots are ideal. Because of their succulent leaves, begonias store moisture and need less frequent watering. Cut the stems off at 45-degree angles to help them grow back. This will force new growth from the base. Give rex begonias bright light through a window, and water only when top inch of soil is dry. Alternatively, add a slow-release fertiliser pellet to the compost when planting. link Fact Sheets . Pluck off brown, wilted, and dry blooms and leaves with your fingers, and use pruners to snip off stems that look similarly lifeless. In the case of begonias that have lost some or all of their lower leaves like that of B. serratipetala in the photo, cutting all branches off close to the pot level will cause the plant to send up new shoots. Stem cutting of tuberous begonias are normally taken early in the year - and after the tuber has been forced into growth with gentle heat - much as is the requirement for starting tubers into growth for planting. Throughout the year, prune your begonias to shape their growth. This step is particularly important if you have perennial begonias, which come back year after year. Tuberous begonia s should be pruned or cut back in the late fall before the first frost, cutting stems to the rootball or tubers. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. This will protect the begonia during the winter. Gardening Australia. The begonia isn’t a hedge and will react badly to this type of treatment. You can keep begonias in standard pots, hanging pots, or even as an indoor plant if you prefer. Begonias don't need a great deal of pruning, for the most part. Simply use good judgment and take a little off where it is most needed. Sit back and watch them flourish! Indoor begonias can be pruned at any time. Be sure to time your pruning correctly, then you can prune your plant to shape it and help it flourish. 1995-2018 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. They also flourish in containers and flower pots, so they make a terrific indoor plant as well. Prune shade begonias in spring. TIP: Susan advises, "Begonias grown indoors can be pruned at any time.". You can also use rubbing alcohol. You can grow many of the varieties outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 9 and 10, but you can grow them as annuals or indoors in colder climates. To ensure our content is always up-to-date with current information, best practices, and professional advice, articles are routinely reviewed by industry experts with years of hands-on experience. You can also pinch off a few of the largest healthy stems to help the rest of the plant grow more evenly. Just follow these simple steps for great results. This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. Spring is the optimum time to prune begonias. Winter-flowering begonias bloom from late autumn to mid-spring. Prune and Propragate Angel Wing Begonia ... Prune and Propragate Angel Wing Begonia Cuttings. This is especially true of the angel wing begonia. At the end of the growing season, pinch off any brown or dead flowers with your finger and thumb. Begonias can be classified into a number of groups based on growth habit. home improvement and repair website. Fill your containers with good quality, well-drained potting mix. For the most part, with many begonia varieties, pruning taller plants only a little will suffice during the growing period. Glazed pots are similar to plastic in how they work. All of these bloom. Use your finger and thumb to remove the ends of small stems that branch off the main stems. Gryphon begonias have a reputation as an easy-to-care-for, low maintenance plant and can be grown from starter plants or seed. Requires good drainage, as roots will readily rot if the soil is too wet. View our Privacy Policy here. If taller begonias start to grow lanky stems or can’t support the weight of the foliage, it’s probably time to prune some of the stems. Cut down all the stems of shrub begonias that have finished blooming. 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