There are three types of begonias to consider. The three types consist of tuberous, fibrous, and rhizomatous. Rhizomatous and fibrous grow best indoors. They grow excellently under indoor conditions. These houseplants have characteristics that allow them to adapt to inside conditions better than the tuberous. Tuberous need more humidity and sunlight to survive.
One of the next things to consider in discussing how to care for begonias, is, the proper location. Its location plays a large part in its survival. It is best to place the begonia in an area of your home that receives bright, indirect sunlight, with lots of humidity.
An additional tip to apply in considering how to care for begonias, just in case the air in your home happens to be dry, especially during the winter, is to place your begonia houseplants on a shallow tray that is filled with pebbles and water. This will allow your developing begonias to, in turn, receive the humidity they need indoors. This method will also help to prevent water logging the soil or accidentally over-exposing the leaves to moisture, which can cause disease.
The Real Deal on How to Care for Begonias
When it comes to knowing how to care for begonias indoors, there are a few precautions to take due to the fact that they become more susceptible to overwatering and root rot. Remember that it is only necessary to water begonias when they show a need to be watered. Experts suggest that a begonia needs watering when it displays signs of dryness, such as dropping leaves.Watering the begonias at this time will help to ensure the prevention of accidental overwatering, which often causes begonias to die indoors. As you learn how to care for begonias when watering,keep the water below the leaves, in an effort to avoid making the plant more susceptible to a fungal disease. You can tell if your begonia has developed a fungal disease if you see a powdery mildew on the plant. For this reason, it is ideal to keep the leaves dry.
When growing a strong and hardy begonia outdoors, many of the same techniques apply. Key elements to consider include the amount of watering and the plant location, only on a wider scale, as you must factor in the weather conditions.
Another tip in learning how to care for begonias is that they grow best when planted in fertile soil, with a mixture of organic materials, such as well-rotted compost or peat moss. The roots of the plants need good drainage, otherwise, they can suffer from rot. These plants need partial shade, as strong direct sunlight can burn the leaves and blossoms. In addition, it is best for begonias to grow with high humidity, yet, without wet soil conditions.
There are many factors to consider in caring for outdoor begonias - find a spot for planting in your garden and let’s begin!
Planting Begonias in Ideal Outdoor Conditions
Understanding how to care for begonias outdoors involves varying considerations. When planting begonias, or, tropical perennials, outdoors, it is essential to find a proper balance between the amounts of shade and watering that is provided.On one hand, begonias should not be planted in dense shade due to the fact that they tend to grow more leaves than flowers. Also, begonias have weak stems and are easily damaged in strong winds. The top inch of the soil needs to dry out before watering. Also, avoid misting the leaves. Under hot and dry conditions, be sure to water the area beneath the leaves to create the humidity needed through evaporating moisture.
Best Conditions for Growing Begonias Outdoors
| Type | Conditions | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Tuberous | Shady areas, with fewer plants; in pots on patios or in hanging baskets are okay; | Colorful, rose-like flowers, plain, toothed, or ruffled; |
| Fibrous | Planted in well-drained, rich soil, prepared by adding great amount of compost; grown in partial shade; bronze-leaved varieties can tolerate full sun; keep soil evenly moist; | Succulent stems, loose clusters of double or single white, red, or pink flowers; |
| Rhizomatous | Plant in shallow pots with a standard, fast-draining plant mix; avoid overwatering and over-potting – when the roots fill the present pot, move the pot to a larger size; |
Quiz Time!!!
What features do you desire through learning how to care for begonias?
- Would you like it to be a large plant?
- Do you want beautiful flowers?
- Would you like to grow it in a hanging pot?
- Would you like it to be a strong and hardy outdoor plant?
Please Post your answers in comments :)
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