Any of the about 1,000 species of primarily succulent plants in the family Begoniaceae that belong to the genus Begonia, many of which have colorful blooms or leaves and are used as indoor pot plants or outdoor garden plants. They come from tropical and subtropical regions. The three wings on the female flowers’ ovaries and their typically four-colored tepals (petals and sepals combined) in two pairs of various sizes are distinguishing characteristics. Pink, red, yellow, or white flowers might have an ovary that is the same color. The frequently lopsided, alternating leaves are varied in shape and in colour on different varieties.
The more than 10,000 reported cultivated begonia varieties—the majority of which are hybrids—present a dizzying variety of shapes. The majority of types fall into one of three major categories: fibrous-rooted, rhizomatous-rooted, or tuberous-rooted.
How are begonias categorized?
Begonias can be divided into three primary groups, however, according to criteria set forth by the American Begonia Society: fibrous-rooted, rhizomatous, and tuberous begonias. Classifying begonias can be difficult due to their diversity and the prevalence of hybrids.
What kinds of plants are succulents?
Any plant that has fleshy, thick tissues that can store water is considered succulent. Some succulents, like cacti, only store water in the stem and have no or few leaves, but other succulents, like agaves, primarily store water in the leaves. The majority of succulents are endemic to deserts or areas with a semiarid season and have deep or wide root systems. More than 60 plant families have succulent species, with the Aizoaceae, Cactaceae, and Crassulaceae having the highest proportions. Aloe, Echeveria, Kalanchoe, and other plants are among those that are grown as ornamentals and indoor plants.
The timing of the opening of stomata, which are tiny mouthlike structures on the surface of plant leaves and stems, is one adaptation shared by many succulents. Stomata enable the exchange of water and oxygen with the environment as well as the uptake of carbon dioxide from the environment. The stomata of many succulent plants are closed during the day and open at night, in contrast to those of most plants. As a result, less water loss (transpiration) happens during the hot, dry daylight hours, while carbon dioxide (CO2) uptake takes place at night. As a result, these succulent plants display crassulacean acid metabolism, a modified form of CO2 fixation and photosynthesis.
Where do begonias thrive in nature?
Begonias are a difficult plant to beat if you’re looking for something with both lovely flowers and amazing foliage. The flowers range in color from white to pink to red to yellow to orange, among many other colors, and they come in an amazing variety of sizes, shapes, patterns, and colors. Learn how to cultivate begonias, whether it’s a cane begonia with a sinuous, statuesque shape or a multitude of tiny waxy beauties that transform your garden beds into riots of color.
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While many species prefer shaded areas of the yard, others flourish in full sunlight, and yet others are suitable for pots, tubs, garden beds, and hanging baskets. These tropical or subtropical beauties have been bred to thrive either indoors or outdoors.
How to grow begonias
While some begonia varieties adore full sun, others like complete shade, so it’s crucial to check the plant’s label or do your own study before choosing a location in your garden.
Begonias prefer warm, humid weather; the best are tropical or subtropical. They can also function as summer annuals, potted indoor plants, or in a greenhouse.
Choose a soil that is enriched with organic matter or compost since these vibrant beauties enjoy their nutrition. The soil must also be able to drain properly because poor drainage will result in root rot. Give the soil of your begonia in a container a frequent spritz or light watering to keep it hydrated.
Begonias need moisture to thrive since they like humidity. To do this, spray or softly water the soil on a regular basis, but avoid going overboard. Mulch can be added to the process to aid it.
Feed your begonias every growing season long (spring and summer). You should aim to use a liquid fertilizer once every week.
Begonia varieties
Choose the appropriate begonia for your garden before you start planting. First, there are the flamboyant elatior or tuberous begonia hybrids, which rival roses in terms of floral exuberance. Then there is the rex covered in mosaics of vibrantly colored leaves with fascinating patterns.
These types are tall-growing, reaching heights of up to 1-2m, and bloom from mid-summer to mid-autumn with fleshy flowers that like miniature chandeliers in hues of pink, red, orange, and white. B. coccinea, which has pendulous heart-shaped leaves with scarlet undersides and edges, is one of the most well-known varieties.
The tall-growing cane begonia (B. coccinea ‘Alba’) can be used in your garden as a screen or even a hedge. Some stems choose to grow horizontally, thus they require stakes and training. If necessary, use lengthy ties and gradually tighten them each week to ensure a moderate training session. They are regal plants that are perfect for adding vertical elements to bare spots in the yard. You may also try growing them in big pots as specimen plants on a balcony or in a courtyard.
These hardy plants come in a variety of sizes, hues, and leaf shapes, and they bloom for several months. They enjoy semi-shade and can tolerate being a little on the dry side.
Begonia venosa, with its spherical, silver-grey velvety leaves, B. metallica, with its purple-veined leaves, and the magnificent B. luxurians, with its leaves that resemble palm fronds and are green on top and scarlet underneath, are a few of the group’s standouts.
Shrub begonias will branch unlike the cane-stemmed species, so prune in the late winter to encourage new growth.
Tuberous begonias, also known as begonia tuberhybrida, are renowned for their stunning glasshouse displays and have stunning double flowers that bloom in the late spring and summer. They create lovely window boxes or pot displays.
In cooler climates, they prefer some early sun and do best in filtered shade. Between waterings, let the potting mix dry out, and keep the pots someplace dry for the winter.
Eliator begonias (Begonia x hiemalis) are short-lived yet flower profusely and come in wonderful colors, from scorching reds and oranges to gentler sherbet-like pinks, lemons, and apricots. Eliator begonias make exceptional indoor plants or in hanging baskets.
Any space will be made more cheerful by a cluster of two or three pots of these tiny beauties. They dislike soggy feet and prefer rich, well-drained soil for growth. Keep the potting soil for African violets uniformly moist when growing them. To revitalize the plant and promote new development, trim spent flower stems to 510 cm in length.
Elatiors enjoy being inside, but they prefer a damp environment, so keep air conditioners away from them. They’ll give a bathroom’s hard, shiny surfaces a gentle touch. Just make sure they have access to light that is bright but not direct.
Rex begonias are also referred to as king begonias, and for good cause. Their foliage looks like a royal gown, splashed with stunning combinations of purple, pink, maroon, pewter, silver, and tones of green, while their blooms are inconsequential.
They thrive in bright, filtered light and do well in hanging baskets and pots. They require high humidity but detest damp roots, so only water when the soil is dry.
These are the hardiest of the lot, growing in full sun in temperate regions or in shade in warmer climates. They are also known as bedding or wax begonias.
Throughout the summer, each plant produces an enormous amount of single or double, open-faced flowers in stunning white or a variety of delectable pinks and reds.
They protrude from ring-shaped, waxy leaves that are fat, spherical, and striking hues of black, deep purple, copper, gleaming grey, or a variety of brilliant greens.
Mass Plant them in a garden bed or a pot that can be brought inside during the winter. To stimulate more blooms as the season goes on, prune spent flowers.
Begonia diseases
Although begonias are fairly hardy, you still need to watch out for and deal with these issues if you want to keep your plants in good condition. The best place to begin is to thoroughly examine the plant after purchase for any indications of illness or insect damage. Don’t buy it if it appears weak and leggy or if the leaves or stems have any holes, stains, or discoloration since it won’t survive.
Powdery mildew, another fungus that afflicts begonias, forms a greyish-white covering on the undersides of the leaves and eventually causes them to wither and die. Avoid splashing the leaves when watering the soil surrounding your begonia in the morning to get rid of this problem. Additionally, you should cut off any damaged leaves with sterile, razor-sharp secateurs or scissors. Sprays that are sold commercially can be used to treat this condition.
Finally, low humidity is typically the source of dark brown, crisp-looking marks on the leaf edges on your begonias. To solve the issue, set your potted begonia on a tray filled with pebbles and water, being careful to keep the pot base out of the water to avoid root rot. As an alternative, the entire leaf may have a pale brown or yellow scorch mark; this is effectively a sunburn. Move pots into a more protected location, remove the leaf, and give garden plants a new location that is out of the direct midday sun.
Begonia pests
Slugs, snails, and green lopper caterpillars enjoy feasting on their leaves, as do other insects. Use bait on the snails and slugs, and remove the caterpillars. Scale, white flies, and mites can also be an issue, but you can treat them with a suitable chemical spray. Just make sure to read the label for the recommended application rates.
How to grow begonias in pots
Both in the garden and in containers, begonias thrive. You must allow for growth while growing begonias in containers, so be sure to use a container that is twice as wide and deep as the plant. Begonia is taken out of its container, the roots are carefully teased apart, the begonia is placed in the pot, and soil is backfilled around it.
How to propagate begonias
Enjoy begonias? Invent more! A begonia can be easily cultivated from cuttings. A leaf is cut into wedges, coated with a cutting powder, and arranged on a tray filled with moist seed-raising mixture. Keep the tray moist and place it in a location with lots of natural light. It should take 6–8 weeks to complete the treatment. As an alternative, you can submerge a stem cutting in water to develop roots, which you can plant once they grow to a length of 4-5 cm.