Wax Begonia Care

November 14, 2024 Post a Comment

Wax begonia care

One of the best things about wax begonias is that they grow well in sun or shade and thrive equally well in landscape beds and borders as they do containers. Most wax begonias stay a foot tall or less and bloom nonstop all spring, summer, and fall.

Should wax begonias be cut back?

Cut back the growing tips on begonias branches every 2 to 4 weeks or if your plants become leggy. The plant will produce new branches from the pinched point. Additional stems provide more opportunities for the begonia to create flowers.

Do wax begonias come back every year?

Because wax begonias are not frost tolerant, they won't come back each year unless they are overwintered indoors. You will need to start new plants in the spring.

Is wax begonia an annual or perennial?

The wax begonia group, categorized as Begonia x semperflorens or Semperflorens Cultorum Group, comprises varieties used primarily as bedding annuals, though they are technically warm-weather perennials.

Do begonias do better in pots or in the ground?

Begonias prefer growing in light, rich soil with a good concentration of humus, similar to the makeup of potting soil. So it's no surprise the plants tend to thrive in containers. Begonias planted in a pot should be spaced 4-6″ apart and with the tubers buried hollow-side up.

What is the difference between begonias and wax begonias?

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.

Will wax begonias survive winter?

If your begonias are in a container, you can overwinter them right in the pot. Just make sure to bring them indoors before the temperature drops below 60°F. What is this? Fibrous varieties like rex, angel wing, and wax, can be kept alive as a houseplant through the winter.

Do wax begonias go dormant?

In warm climates where the winter frosts are rare to nonexistent, you can leave begonias to go dormant on their own and they will come back as annuals every year. The changing season will usually force dormancy, especially in tuberous varieties.

Can you leave begonias in pots over winter?

You should also be overwintering a begonia grown outdoors in containers. Pot-grown begonia plants can be stored in their containers as long as they remain dry. They should also be relocated to a protected area that's cool, dark, and dry. Pots can be left in an upright position or slightly tipped.

How many years will begonias last?

The lifespan of the average cultivar in begonias is most likely around 10 years.

How do I keep my begonias for next year?

Put them on screen trays or pack them in dry peat, sawdust, sand or other insulating material. Store tubers in a dry, dark, cool (above freezing) area. In the spring, start begonia plants by placing the tubers on damp peat moss in a warm environment.

Do you deadhead wax begonias?

Water Carefully. Begonias don't require a huge amount of care. You'll want to deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers, and if you want compact plants, pinch them back regularly.

Do wax begonias reseed themselves?

Most begonias are self-fertile, meaning that you can have one plant providing both the male and female flowers to create viable seed. In other groups of plants, like kiwis, you need separate male and female plants if you want to get fruit.

How often do wax begonias bloom?

These flowers bloom all summer long until the fall comes around. They are often referred to as everblooming. Wax leaf begonias are deer resistant and can grow to be as large as two feet tall.

Do wax begonias like to be root bound?

The best time to repot is in the spring, but only do it once they've outgrown the container. Begonias like to be root-bound, and can struggle if repotted too often.

How long do begonias last in pots?

No begonia has a long life span. Most only live for 2 to 3 years, even with good care.

Do coffee grounds help begonias?

Begonias benefit from an acidic soil, which the peat moss gives it. Adding some used coffee grounds to the soil will work wonders for begonias.

Where is the best place to put a begonia?

Culture: Flowering houseplant begonias should be located in a bright spot and receive some direct sunlight. Early morning sun in an east window works well. Many of the cane and shrub-types flower best with some direct sun. Several hours of winter sun are beneficial.

How do you make begonia wax bloom?

For maximum blooms, begonias should be lightly fertilized every 10 to 14 days when grown in pots and containers. For bedding plants, fertilizing every three to four weeks is enough to do the trick.