|
Though many of us consider begonias to be outdoor plants, they also make excellent
indoor houseplants; and, under the proper conditions, will bloom all year long.
There are hundreds of varieties to choose from depending on whether you are looking for begonias with colorful and unusual
leaves such as the Begonia Rex or the Iron Cross Begonia
or ones with beautiful flowers such as the Rieger Begonia. There are some begonias,
like the Angel Wing Begonia, that have both unique leaves and stunning flowers. You
can find a begonia that will look great in a hanging basket or a more upright begonia to use as a table plant. They all share
certain characteristics such as asymmetrical leaves, thick succulent stems, and flowers that grow in clusters.
Houseplant 411 for the iPhone & i Pod Touch
|
CARE OF BEGONIAS
Light: Although certain varieties can adapt to lower light, most begonias will do best in a medium to bright location.
The brighter the light, the more flowers the plant produces.
Water: Begonias
should be watered well and then allowed to dry out before being watered again. Over-watering, resulting in permanent root
damage is the major reason why begonias die. Try to avoid getting water on the leaves as this may result in ugly spots.
Temperature: Begonias do best in cool temperatures, 65-75 degrees.
Humidity: The higher the humidity, the happier a begonia is.
Fertilizer: Fertilize monthly with a plant food high in phosphorous; use the food at ½ strength.
Soil: These plants are succulent like and grow best in African Violet soil.
Diseases: Powdery mildew is a major problem for begonias. A commercial fungicide
is the best solution to this problem. To help prevent the mildew give your begonia plenty of space so air can circulate around
it and avoid wetting the
leaves.
Propagation: Begonias are easily
propagated from stem tip or leaf cuttings.
 |
| Begonias |
|
|
| Photo by Raffi Kojian (GNU) |
BEGONIA FAQ’S
1. My begonia was really doing well and then one day it dropped about 25 leaves. What causes this?
Massive
leaf droppage is usually caused by sudden changes in the environment or in the care of the plant; for example, temperatures
go from cold to hot, soil goes from very dry to very wet, light goes from very bright to very dark.
2. The leaves of my begonia are getting white marks on them and some are shriveling up. Does it need more water?
No, it doesn’t need water; it needs less light. The sun is burning the leaves. Move your plant to an area where the
sunlight is less intense.
3. How can I get my Rieger Begonia to bloom more often?
Begonias, like peace lilies, bloom better when under stress. Cut down on your fertilizer and let the soil dry
out, this should encourage it to bloom.
4. The leaves of my begonia have a gray
powder on them. It looks like soot, but my plant is nowhere near the fireplace.
Your plant is infected with powdery
mildew. Take off the diseased leaves and spray the rest of the begonia with a commercial fungicide.
|
