yearbook > BEGONIA
IN THIS GUIDE
BEGONIA GUIDES
Container GrowingDeadheadingFeedingHanging BasketsLeggyOverwinteringProblemsPropagationRe - PottingStarting TubersVarieties
The ever - popular Begonia is not a single type of plant life or flower – it is a genus comprising over 1,900 species and over 10,000 cultivars.1The BRAHMS Project , University of Oxford , Department of Plant Sciences . ( n.d.-b).Begonia species . Oxford University Plants . retrieve March 13 , 2023 , fromhttps://herbaria.plants.ox.ac.uk/bol/plants400/Profiles/ab/Begonia
Some gardeners may know Begonias as perennials ; others as annual .
B. masonianaAKA ‘Iron Cross’
Flower lovers may go dotty about the Brobdingnagian salmagundi of efflorescence ; foliage enthusiasts are as fixated on fancy - folio hybrids .
In our Begonia guides we feature advice fromJaneen Randle , President of the Melbourne Begonia Society .
“ My love for grow begonias stem from the assortment and colour in the flowers and the leafage , ” read Janeen .
Begoniamazaef.nigricans
“ These plants produce long - hold up bunch of pendulous flowers with various leaf shapes that have interesting food color , patterning and texture . ”
Overview
PreferredPart Shade
ExposureSheltered
Height0.1 – 0.5 mebibyte
B. maculata
Spread0.1 – 0.5 M
Bloom TimeJune – September
PreferredLoam
B.‘Doublet White’
MoistureMoist but well drain
pHNeutral / Mildly Acidic
begonia are herbaceous perennials in their native habitats in the tropical and sub - tropical regions of South America , Central America , Central Africa , and southerly Asia.2An Introduction to Begonia Species . ( 2021 , December 20 ) . The American Begonia Society . remember March 13 , 2023 , fromhttps://www.begonias.org/introduction-to-begonia-species/
Because they can not survive a frost , most diverseness are grown as annuals in the United Kingdom .
However , some varieties can be grown indoors , besides in glasshouse , as perennials .
For example , B. semperflorensor wax Begonias are effectively annuals in temperate regions but can last for several twelvemonth in tropical climates or controlled environments .
“ If I was going to recommend a houseplant to a beginner , I ’m drawn to the various different character of begonia , ” deal Mr Plant Geek Michael Perry .
“ They can be a little fussy , as they do n’t like to be over or underwatered , but they rent you sleep together in a simple way by just wilting a little .
“ You know then to just give them a small mo of water . You ca n’t get it awry with them , they can be prima donna , but they are easy prepare . They also provide so much colour with their foliation . ”
Begonia aconitifolia
advance in Begonia horticulture occur at a dizzying pace .
Wax and cane - like begonias would well be delineate as petite and cute kind for beds and small green goddess , as these plants raise to about 15 cm and no more than about 22 cm at most .
How thing have changed ! new cultivars are grown , beautiful beasties ; they average 40 curium and the marvelous reach a height of85 cm .
What is more , they branch repeatedly so that besides being self-aggrandising , they are also broad and shaggy-coated .
As for the flower and the leaves , they are colorful , spectacular and vibrant .
Habitat & Growing Conditions
For the most part , Begonias are understorey plant life that grow in the cool and moist weather of a rainforest canopy in their aboriginal home ground , for case , Cameroon and Malaysia .
Some tuberous salmagundi thrive in ironic and coolheaded climes like those of the Peruvian Andes.3Moonlight , P. W. , & Reynel , C. ( 2018 ) . Two new species of Begonia from Andean Peru . Phytotaxa,381(1).https://doi.org/10.11646 / phytotaxa.381.1.15
Others develop in the wild on moist , shady slopes .
Begonia home ground are the tropical and semitropical regions of South America , Central America , Central Africa , and Eastern Asia , with Southern China , Ecuador , and Cameroon being particular centre of diversity .
Other countries which boast their own brands of Begonias include Ecuador , Andean Peru , Brazil , Colombia , Venezuela , Mexico , Cameroon , Equatorial Guinea , India , Peninsular Malaysia , Borneo , Southern China , Vietnam , Philippines , and the Koreas .
A few Begonias are aboriginal only to quarantined sphere in removed locations such as Sao Tome , the Bolivian Andes , and New Guinea ; in contrast , Begonia cucullatagrows freely across a vast swath of land in Argentina , Brazil , Paraguay , and Uruguay .
The famedBegonia rexcultivars initiate from the coinage which is native to North - East India and Myanmar.4Begonia king Putz.(n.d.).Kew Royal Botanic Gardens . Retrieved March 28 , 2023 , fromhttps://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:105573-1B.‘Doublet White ’
Regardless of the specie or cultivar , the flowers of this genus are monecious , that is , a given flush on a works is either female or male person .
Most varieties are hardy to H1C - H3 .
Begonia brevirimosa
Begonia grandis , also acknowledge as the Hardy Begonia , is a well - known exception that is winter intrepid in temperate region , being sturdy to H5 / H6 .
Begonia Care
wish for Begonia , as one of the most diverse genera , can scarcely be described in a one - size - tantrum - all section .
That said , three all-important road map hold effective for virtually the entire genus . These are :
“ Although Begonias do not wish wet soil , they also do n’t care getting dry and can drop their flowers if they do , ” advises Horticulturist Colin Skelly , whose experience include time as a Skilled plantsman and Nursery Manager .
Everything else is a variance on these guideline , aside from specific requirements , such as minimal wintertime temperature .
Temperature & Sunlight
As understorey flora , Begonias generally favour indirect or filtered sun , but stronger sun is necessary for RexBegonia and its cultivars , keeping in mind that the darker - colorize the leaf , the more it can withstand potent sun .
Most Begonias do well in temperatures of 18 - 25 ° C but make out well in warmer temperatures provided they are keep under ghost or a natural canopy .
Soil Requirements
The best grunge has a restrained to slightly acidulent pH of 5.6 - 6.5 which is of a loose , copious , loamy case .
“ The aim is for the horticultural sweet daub of free draining but moisture - retentive soil , ” say Colin Skelly .
“ tot some horticultural gritstone to your compost to verify that the compost drains freely and think using mountain feet to aid free drainage . ”
Compost may be mixed with the soil ; it should preferably contain coir but be free of peat .
Common Problems
Begonias can become infested by mealybugs and aphid .
you’re able to plow either and both by using Cartesian product like Safer ’s max consort to the manufacturer ’s instructions .
Aphids are a particular menace because of their rapid breeding and harmfulness .
Mealybugs on outdoor plants can be rid of using nature to fight nature .
Release ladybird , lacewings , and mealybug destroyers on the affected plants . These are good insects that raven upon mealybugs .
Rex Begonias are particularly susceptible to nematode .
While many nematodes are beneficial and even vote out harmful insects , some are parasites that dwell in land and destroy plants .
Garden center unremarkably stock some products for nematode plague .
A few instinctive method exist to eliminate nematode worm , such as elicit the dirt temperature by sealing it off , but these can not be used on soil inhabit by plants .
One semi - natural remedy thatcanbe used to put down a nematode plague is to put naptha mothballs on the land , and weewee plants as usual .
Begonias , particularly saplings and young plant life , are delicacies for snails and slugs so be on the lookout for them and remove or eliminate them quickly so that their numbers do not get out of bridge player .
While waterlogged dirt is harmful to almost all plants , even damp soil bewilder a threat to tuberous Begonia varieties as dampness can bring about rotting .
Ensure that the soil is drained well and put container on roofing tile or submarine so they are off the ground .
Although Begonias like some humidity , avoid misting them and do not expose them to to a fault humid environments to preclude mildew , as Jane Perrone , houseplant expert , explicate :
“ Lots of begonia really like humidness which you may check with a humidity cadence . They like a humidness of around 50 % , so it is a good plant for a lavatory or something standardised .
“ Begonias do n’t like dry air , so do n’t put them next to a radiator . ”
Begonia Origins
The well - known name of one of the most popular plant families memorialises quite an unknown gentleman .
Way back in the 1600s , a Frenchancien regimeofficial by the name of Michel V Bégon serve in various ‘ intendant ’ positions in France ’s colonies in the Caribbean .
This gentleman was passionate about plant and when he met with naturalist and botanist Charles Plumier , the latter was so impressed with the skilful intendant that he named a novel genus after Monsieur Bégon.5Schumaker , P. ( 2020 , February 13).The flora named after Michel Begon . UF / IFAS Extension Charlotte County . Retrieved March 13 , 2023 , fromhttps://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/charlotteco/2025-04-18/the-plant-named-after-michel-begon/
