bloom
Are you adding some begonia to slew or container this season , but are n’t quite certain where to start ? Begonias can grow amazingly well in both pots and containers , if you leave them with proper care . In this clause , certified master gardener Laura Elsner takes you through her top tips for beautiful begonias in containers this time of year !
Contents
Begonias are the perfect plant life for growing in umbrageous areas of the garden . Sometypes of begoniashavegorgeous blossom , others have striking leaf . They are quite audacious , and make the perfect container flush , depending on the type of begonia you ’ve decided to uprise .
Interestingly enough , begonia are often cerebrate of as garden flowers . I fancy a large garden bed filled with wax begonia . But as I grew as a gardener and commence get a line more about the different varieties of begonias , I ’ve realized there is room more to them the the small waxy garden flower .
Begonias growquite beautifully in containers , and many gardeners do n’t take reward of the portability that container gardening allows ! So if you are short on space , or if you desire to bring their brilliant efflorescence closer so you could really relish their elaborateness , here ’s some of my top wind forplanting your begonia in container this season !
Pick The Right Container
The container you design on planting your begonia into makes all the difference . check that , make certain , check that , it hasdrainage holes in the bottom . If it does n’t , utilise a plastic liner pot that has drainage . Begonias do not wish being in soggy conditions . They will molder .
A big container mixed with other flora and bloom is great . A small mess that is sate with only a begonia looks great too . Keep in judgement that larger potsneed less frequent wateringthan modest pots .
The eccentric of deal does n’t matter . Plastic , terracotta , ceramic , metal , etc . are all fine . Have funchoosing a container , pluck what you like . peradventure make for with a color of lot that will toy off the colour of the begonia .
Use Proper Soil
Begonias likelight fluffy free draining soilin the garden . This is the same grease they will take in containers . The good news is that potting dirt will work great for begonias , no particular blend are needed .
Do not buy black earth from the garden snapper . It is cheaper , but it is signify for in the garden . It is too heavy and does not drain well in containers . You ’ll finish up with soggy and molder begonias in your containers .
Water Regularly, But Not Too Much
I in reality like begonia because they canhandle a piece of drought . Take lobelia for object lesson , if you leave to water it before you go to work there is a good chance it will be brown and crispy when you get home . Begonias wo n’t go tenacious stretch without water supply , but if you draw a blank a day , they should be hunky-dory .
When watering I like to completely soak the container . If it is a small-scale container I will put it in a dental plate or tray of weewee and let it imbue up from the bottom . The less water you get on the foliage , the less chance of disease and gadfly getting onto them .
Pick The Right Location
When it come to in ground gardening I usually tell a node to purchase a plant life or flower you love , then we can find a place to put it . Most garden havepockets of Dominicus and shadeand everything in between .
But when it comes to a container , the localisation is usually set . Like at the front door for curb collection . Or on the patio so you’re able to baby-sit and revel them . There is n’t much wriggle room for where it makes sense for your container to be .
Begonias like to be in sheltered location . A cover deck of cards , a front porch , and under a pergola are all great places for containers of begonia to be . begonia do not resist a lot ofwind whippingat them , harsh pelting / hail , or harsh Lord’s Day . So if these are the status your containers are in , you may have to rethink your planting plans .
Pick a Variety For Sun or Shade
begonia are mostlythought of as shade perennial . Which they are . If they are plant in the right hardiness zone with adequate ghost , begonias do come back each yearwithout replanting . However , some varieties can stand more sun . Here is a quick break down of begonia and their spook & sunlight requirements .
A lot of sort of begonias actually do n’t wish full specter . This is less than 4 hours of sunlight a solar day . If this is the condition your containers are in , try rex begonia varieties . These are the begonia that are experience for their beautiful intricate foliage colors and design .
Flowers are what require sunshine to bloom . While rex begonia do flower , they are n’t special and therefore restrain them in shady conditions where they do n’t prime is n’t really a trouble . They wo n’t grow very tight , but that is n’t usually a trouble in a container either .
This is really the sweet smirch for begonias . Tuberous begonias , the single with the large flowers , like part spook . Too much sun will depart them crispy . Too much shade and they will fight to bloom . All varieties of begonia will live happily in a part shadowiness / sun containers .
There are actually a few varieties of begonias that will deal full sunlight . Wax begonia , particularly the darker colored leafage ones , will take full sun . Cocktail mix begonias will take full sun , and they look great in a container .
Plant Them Properly
How you plant begonia into containers can make all the difference in their winner . verify tocrack the rootson a begonia before planting them into a container . If the plant is rootbound it is specially significant . When the begonia come out of the container if it has a thick-skulled matt or antecedent make certain to break up the roots before planting . If the stem are n’t broken up the begonia will clamber .
Also , make indisputable theplanting depth is right . Do not sink them down below the flange of the pot . This leaves them prostrate to mould and root putrefaction . On the impudent side , do not mound them above the rim of the commode . This will lead to their stem Lucille Ball being exposed which they do not like . It will also make irrigate a container irritation .
The water will run off and leave dirt and mud all over . Also , the water wo n’t soak in . Plant your begonias in contrast with the brim of the pot . I will advertise down the soil around the very edge of the pot to make a little dip so water does n’t talk over .
Use Fertilizer (Sparingly)
Do n’t lowball the baron of fertilizing containers . Garden pots are a contained country , the roots of plants do n’t have much sphere to draw nutrients from like the would in the ground . Feeding them is everything . You do n’t have to overthink the fertiliser . An all design 20 - 20 - 20 fertilizer is hunky-dory . Or a bloom supercharge 15 - 30 - 15 is good too .
I fertilise every two weeks . First water the container , thenmix the fertilizer and water with the plant food mixture . Never fertilize dry plant , it will burn them . Also , try not to get the diluted fertiliser variety on the leaf . point for the grime .
Don’t Sleep on Basic Maintenance
No plant is upkeep complimentary . Begonias are actuallyfairly fuss costless . But they do require a but of maintenance to keep them looking dandy in containers . The thing about container plants is that they have a small-scale grow space and they are ordinarily planted in areas where you are likely to look at them up close . So putting a bit of clock time into maintaining them really makes a departure .
Start by remove any jaundiced leaves and any crispy leaves . Only if they are seeable . I do n’t spend much time lifting plants to find yellow leaves . I mean the risk of damage you’re able to do from abstract and rummaging through a plant is swell than having some yellow leaf hiding in the plant life . But definitelyclip off any unappealing bitsthat are in aspect .
Also , piece off any bloom that are turning brown . I will also cut back plant to keep thing in their place . Begonias are n’t really bully plants ( i.e. they do n’t take over ) . But if you have senecio ivy , for example , planted with your begonia it may want to be pruned away from the begonia or it will bury them up .
Watch For Pests and Diseases
I think the most vulgar pestilence to affect begonia arespider mites . The best thing you’re able to do to for spider pinch ( this applies to mealy bugs , scale and aphid too ) , is to prevent them in the first place . The good mode to prevent them is to keep your begonia healthy .
verify they are in well potting grime , getting nice even water , and are getting adequate , but not too much sunlight . Also fertilize them to verify they are healthy and strong .
If you do end up with wanderer mites , however , the bar advice does n’t really facilitate when you ’re presently in the throes of an infestation . Spider mites seem on plant life as little webs . If you look closely at the weber web of tiny gross wanderer - comparable bugs ( they are n’t actually arachnids ) are belt along around through the webs .
begonia are sore to insecticidal liquid ecstasy . adjudicate ahorticulture oil ( neem oil ) spray . I would essay this spray on a few leaves to see if it damage the begonia before spraying the entire plant . Do n’t spray in the heat of the twenty-four hours when the container is in the Lord’s Day . hold off until the corporation is shaded before spraying .
The most common disease to get container begonia is powdery mildew . Again , bar is key . Watering your container from the bottom by using a tray filled with water and letting the soil suck up the water is good than spraying the foliage . If your plants do getpowdery mildew , which appears as Zane Grey powdery debris all over the begonia , purchase a copper fungicide and apply .
If you do get any pesterer or diseases in your containers make indisputable to throw out that pot dirt and start fresh the next time of year .
Sometimes if pests or disease start taking over a container , I will pull it and start up the saucy mid - time of year . Orremove the touched plantsand supersede them .
Keep in brain that different begonia type , also have unlike plague and diseases . Reigers have different problem , but all begonia varieties should be monitored regularly .
Troubleshoot When Needed
if your begonias are not thriving in container it may be an easygoing fix . I am going to run through some of thecommon trouble begonia have , and what could be going faulty .
This is usually because of one of two things . Too much sun . Check the Dominicus consideration of your container . If it is get 6 hours or more of direct sun , it could be too much . It could also be a sign of underwatering . Stick your finger into your container . check that it is not bone wry .
It should be moist , but not marshy . In rare instance it could be fertiliser combust . If you think this is the case , blush the mess with H2O . For all causes , trim down off the crispy leave and then work on solving the problem ( water more , provide shade ) .
Yellowing leaf is often a sign of the zodiac ofover watering . The soil should not feel soggy . Evenly moist like a wrung sponge is best . It can also be a star sign that the territory is too ponderous . This is actually probably an overwatering problem . weighty soil does n’t run out . Make certain your containers have pot soil rather than garden soil .
No prime on your begonia is often a foretoken that they arenot stick enough sunshine . Try moving rhe container to a more sunny position if possible . It can also be a sign they need to be fertilized . specially if they are in a small container with less soil to draw nutrients from .
Overwinter in Cold Climates
The last thing I will discuss for the car-mechanic of growing container begonias is overwintering . Many people keep begonia in the house as houseplant year round . Angel offstage begonias arehouseplants with beautiful clean flowers , that are quite commonly kept indoors . So it is entirely possible to bring your favored begonia inside for the wintertime .
If you have a begonia in a small pot simply bring it into abright collateral gay locating . Do n’t fertilize and ease up on the body of water in the winter months .
For a container with a begonia in it , you will call for to dig up the begonia and place it into a smaller pot . Usefresh potting soiland give it good water . Then pose it inside in a bright collateral sun localization .
Be very careful when decide to over winter your begonias . Do not fetch them in if they , or any plant near them , show any sign of pests and disease . Trust me , it is not deserving it bestow them into the house .
Also , I do n’t spill much about pot ground quality for outdoor container . But for indoor plants , I recommend bring forth a high timbre indoor potting mix ( high quality = more expensive ) . I cheaped out one class and my whole house was infested with petty annoying fungus gnats .
Make Design a Priority
Now that all the mechanics on how to produce begonia in container has been covered , let ’s move on to the fun part , design .
A keen container has 3 element . Athriller , which is a turgid center price that our eye is immediately drawn to . Thefiller , which is the bulk of a container , this is the fun part where you may play with combinations of texture , semblance , physical body , and sizes . Then thespiller . This is the flora that overflows out the side of the container .
Begonias can jibe into all of those rolls in a container . Though most often it will be used as a filler industrial plant . The incision below on prefer a variety will get into which begonias can satisfy which perspective in a thriller , filler , trawl line container .
This is probably my best-loved , and most versatile begonia . I ’m always humming Scarlet Begonias when I ’m planting them . It is a tuberous variety of begonia . They have bombastic blush wine - like flowers of an acute scarlet color . They are the utter option for a filler plant in a container intent .
This is avariety of rex begoniaknown for its gorgeous foliage . It has swirls of mystifying burgundy , pink , and white-hot . This is another begonia that form a statement as a makeweight industrial plant , or it can be a stand alone in a potentiometer .
The Amstel Blitz begonia is a bright yellow rieger variety . Rieger begonias are a loan-blend of a wax and tuberous begonia . It feature the soft fleshy leaves of a wax begonia , but the bigger size of a tuberous begonia . These make great filler plant as well . But since their flower are on top of the plant they could also act as a thriller in a pot , with some low-down growing industrial plant tucked in underneath .
This is a hanging motley of begonia . Belleconia Soft Orange has delicate peach colored flowers that hang gracefully like ballerina tutus . They look great in hanging baskets , or as a trawl line in a container . I often use them as a setline in a container in place of fuschias . I come up they are audacious and easier to grow than fuchsia , but give the same look .
The ambassador white begonia is a Hellenic wax motley . They are low and low - grow overweight plants cover with white flowers with bright yellow eyes . They make a wonderful filler plant . I love doing a thoroughgoing green and white pile . examine planting a grandiloquent emerald cedar with ambassador white begonia underneath wind up off with some simple ivy to spill out .
Pick Your Colors Wisely
This is really the fun part when it number to designing consummate container arrangements .
Think of the aim elements in your home . For instance , do you have a brilliant yellow front doorway ? Then consider making that popping byadding nonstop yellow begoniasinto your front container arrangement .
conceive of the color or main feature of your thriller plant . Asilver pansy sansevieriawould look outstanding with a silvery swirled escargot rex begonia for a monochromatic feeling . Or rival or counterpoint to the other makeweight plants . I love the classical look of blue lobelia paired withnonstop red-faced begonias .
Think of the people of color of your flock . A aquamarine colored pot fill up withnonstop bass rose begoniaswould really stand out .
Now that I ’ve consecrate you some ideas , you’re able to also fuddle out all those rules and just bribe what you wish and put them together andmake a tropic punch . Have play and create something that catches your eye .
Plant Complimentary Companions
While I do love a small terracotta potbelly overflowing with a single begonia works , I more often establish begonia aspart of a container design . There are some plants that mold great with begonias . Here is an object lesson of a few of my ducky . But there are many , many more possibility and combinations .
I love majesty palm tree that can be purchased at almost any hardware store or garden nerve centre . They are usually jolly cheap . I love using them as a thriller works and planting begonia underneath .
Elephant spike are like to medal in that they make a great thriller works . They are beautiful large arrow shaped leaf . Plant begonias underneath for a tropic container design .
Coleus and begonias are the unspoilt of admirer . The acute and unique color patterns on some flame nettle really commingle and down when unite with begonias . Coleus is also very easy to develop .
Try immix Wizard Rose flame nettle together with Ontop Fandango begonias for a mythic pink and white color combining . Add a palm or an elephant’s ear as the thriller , and golden genus Lysimachia to slop out and you have a gorgeous container .
This has to be one of my favorite trawl plants . It has bright golden foliage and spill attractively out of container . Tuck it underneath begonias for a professionally finished pot .
Get Creative With Hanging Baskets
Begonias are ideal campaigner for hanging baskets .
Of course thehanging varieties of begoniasare the no brainer choice . These varieties have flowers that drape downwards . Some varieties include , Dragon Wing Red , Angelique , and Bossa Nova Rose .
Tubberous begonias also fill out and look great in a hanging basketful . They have large rosettes of flower that have an impact from afar .
Wax begonias also make great hanging baskets . Grab a wire - hanging basket and acoconut coir line drive . Then fill it with soil . lightly dress piddling holes through the bottom of the Cocos nucifera coir and push in the wax begonia . Then fill the top of the container with more wax begonias . It will develop and fill into a beautiful compact formal of hang begonia .
Final Thoughts
begonia are one of my all time favorite container blossom . There are almost infinite change and they all seem tothrive in a container surround . So if you are determine to shade conditions container , you are not really limited at all . run with all the varieties of begonias and pair them with other shade loving plants for a container design that is sure to turn heads .
