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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.
Do begonias like sun or shade?
They do best in situations with shade or morning sun/afternoon shade. Most varieties have flowers that hang down a little, making tuberous begonias ideal for hanging baskets and window boxes rather than garden beds and borders. No matter where you grow them, make sure they have good drainage to prevent rot.
Do begonias come back every year?
There are no perennial begonias. There are forms that make great houseplants and will grow year-round indoors, but outdoors the plants are all unable to tolerate frost.
Can I plant a potted begonia outside?
Often grown in containers indoors, begonias also can be grown outdoors during the frost-free months. If you live in a region that doesn’t experience freezing winter temperatures or frosts, keep the begonia tubers in the ground year-round. Select a planting site for your begonias in partial shade.
How do you keep begonias alive outside?
And here’s the best part: Unlike their tuberous cousins, annual begonias don’t require a lot of light. These are shade-loving plants outdoors; so any somewhat-sunny windowsill will keep them alive and flowering—just make sure it’s well insulated so they don’t get too cold at night.
Can I put begonias in full sun?
Most begonias grow best in part shade (4 to 6 hours of direct morning sun a day), or filtered sun (as through trees). Most will tolerate full shade (no direct or filtered sun), but won’t be as dense and usually have fewer flowers. A few grow in full sun. They prefer moist, but not soggy, soils.
How often should begonias be watered?
A good rule of thumb is to water every two to four days. When it’s hot and dry you’ll need to water more often than when the air cools down and the soil holds more moisture. Begonia plants in full sun will also require more water than plants in shady locations.
Can begonias be planted in the ground?
Tuberous begonias can be grown in the ground under trees or in shady parts of your garden, or in containers placed in shady areas of your porch, patio, or yard. Upright tuberous begonias, however, can benefit from staking so the flower stems stand tall to make it easier to viewing the beautiful flowers.
Can you leave begonias in the ground over winter?
Leaving Begonias In The Ground As long as the type of begonia you have is hardy in your climate, then you can overwinter them right in the ground. If they have tubers, then they’ll survive as long it stays above 50° F. During the winter, the foliage on tuberous varieties may die back if the bulb goes dormant.
Do you deadhead begonias?
Hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 6 through 11, depending on the cultivar, begonias (Begonia spp.) do not require deadheading to thrive. Rather they self-clean by dropping spent flowers on their own, says the University of Illinois Extension.
When should you plant begonias outside?
Only plant begonias outside in May, when no more frosts are forecast. Water regularly and feed weekly with a high potash fertiliser like tomato feed. In autumn, dig up tuberous begonias and store the tubers in a cool, frost-free spot for winter.
Are begonias frost hardy?
Although often sold as half-hardy annuals, most Begonias varieties are actually perennials. However, they are not at all frost hardy.
How far apart should you plant begonias?
Plant wax begonia transplants 6 to 8 inches apart and others according to their mature size. Tubers can be started indoors by placing the tubers, hollow side up, 1 inch apart in a shallow tray with moist potting mix.
Do begonias come back every year UK?
These fibrous-rooted, tender perennial begonias are usually grown as annuals. Their flowers can be white, pink or red and are produced throughout the summer until the first frosts.
Are begonias hard to care for?
Generally, fibrous and rhizomatous begonias make excellent houseplants while tuberous begonias can be grown as houseplants but have a harder time surviving due to the need for higher humidity and light than the other two kinds. Begonias grown indoors are especially susceptible to root rot and overwatering.
Are begonias hard to take care of?
It’s time for a begonia. Begonias are some of the most beautiful, visually interesting plants you can grow indoors. However, they can be a bit picky about light and water, though not overly delicate, making them a great intermediate-level plant project.
Do begonias like afternoon sun?
Begonias do best when they get this sunlight in the morning and late afternoon, with shelter from the most intense mid-day sunlight. The bronze-leaved wax begonias are the begonia varieties most likely to thrive in hot sunlight without afternoon shade.
Do begonias like grow lights?
Fluorescent Light As a low-light plant, begonias require less intensive artificial light than many other types of plants — which grow with an artificial light as close as 3 inches from the top leaves.
Do begonias like heat?
Begonia Basics Morning sun (and a little afternoon shade) is perfect. Wax begonias can tolerate more sun than other types, and the ones with bronze-colored leaves are the most sun-tolerant of all. Tuberous begonias prefer more shade and less heat, so we often see them on display in late summer.
