Tuberous Begonia Care - How To Grow Tuberous Begonias

Tuberous Begonia Care Water the plants regularly to keep the potting soil slightly moist. Provide a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer monthly during the growing season. Be sure to provide plenty of air circulation to prevent powdery mildew. Use a sharp knife to cut spent blooms as soon as they fade.

How do you take care of tuberous begonias?

Summer care

Tuberous Begonias thrive in soil that is evenly moist but well drained. ...
Fertilize plants once a month with a balanced (20-20-20), water-soluble fertilizer mixed as directed.
Keep plants tidy by removing spent flowers; cut the flowers off close to the stem using a sharp knife.

How do you grow tuberous begonias?

Tuberous begonias prefer the filtered light beneath high trees, or at least 4 hours of morning sun. If you are planting your begonias in a garden bed, make sure to choose a spot with the right amount of light and well-drained soil. If you are growing them in pots, use a high quality, humus-rich growing mix.

Do tuberous begonias come back every year?

The flowers and stems above ground will die but if it is a tuberous begonia it will have gone dormant during the winter and should flower again in the spring.

Do tuberous begonias like sun or shade?

Though they need to be shaded from hot sunlight, they do need some sun to flower best. Morning light or light that is filtered through leaves or a lattice roof is best. It may take up to three months from planting the tuber to full bloom, so tubers should be started indoors at least a month before the last frost date.

How often should you water tuberous begonias?

If it feels dry, insert your finger just under the surface of the soil, about one-half to 1 inch deep. If this soil also feels dry, water your plant. Water once or twice a week to keep the soil slightly moist.

Can tuberous begonias be grown from cuttings?

A common way to propagate tuberous begonias is to root cuttings. If you thin out the stems when they are about 3 inches tall, you can use those cuttings. ... Cut the stems to be rooted and insert them into the moist vermiculite. Put the whole assembly into a clear plastic bag.

How do I know if I have tuberous begonias?

Begonias with tuberous roots are a large group of complex hybrids involving many species and years of breeding and development. They can often be identified by their prominent flowers, which can be single, double, ruffled, scented or multicolored, and range in size from 1/2-inch diameter to the size of a dinner plate.

Can tuberous begonias be grown indoors?

Generally, fibrous and rhizomatous begonias make excellent houseplants while tuberous begonias can be grown as houseplants but have a harder time surviving due to the need for higher humidity and light than the other two kinds. ... Begonias grown indoors are especially susceptible to root rot and overwatering.

How long does it take for tuberous begonias to sprout?

It takes 12 to 14 weeks for a tuberous begonia to bloom after the tubers are planted, so most gardeners like to start their begonias indoors eight weeks before the last frost date or even sooner. You can grow tuberous begonias in any pot that has drainage holes and is large enough to fit the bulb.

What month do you plant begonias?

April - planting begonias

Begonia tubers can be started off indoors in a light room, conservatory or greenhouse.
Plant the tubers in trays or pots with the hollow side up.
Cover with no more than 1cm (1/4in) of soil or potting compost.
Begonias prefer partial shade but do ensure they have plenty of light and air.

Can I save my begonias for next year?

The tubers can be saved over the winter and planted again the next spring for another year of showy color. Take the following steps to save your potted tuberous begonia tubers: ... Place in a dry, cool storage area (a basement or garage) and allow the tubers to cure for several weeks.

Is Miracle Grow good for begonias?

Once a week apply half strength (1/2 T Miracle Grow or other soluble plant food per gallon) fertilizer solution in place of regular watering, being sure to give the basket enough so that liquid seeps from the bottom of the pot. Tuberous begonias are not heavy feeders, so don't overdo it.

Can I plant begonias in the ground?

Tuberous begonias can be grown in the ground under trees or in shady parts of your garden, or in containers placed in shady areas of your porch, patio, or yard.

Should you deadhead tuberous begonias?

do not require deadheading to thrive. Rather they self-clean by dropping spent flowers on their own, says the University of Illinois Extension.

Where is the best place to plant begonias?

Where to Plant Begonias. Wax begonias do best in part shade, particularly during the summer months, but will do well in full sun when planted over the winter as a perennial. Use these compact plants in borders and/or to mass plant in a flower bed. For best results plant begonias in rich, moist, well-drained soil.

Do begonias like coffee grounds?

(soil free is best) Outdoors, growing begonias means adding lots of organic matter to the soil. 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.

What is the best fertilizer for begonias?

For healthy plants and abundant blooms, apply 10-10-10 liquid fertilizer (view example on Amazon) diluted at a ratio of three parts water to one part fertilizer when you first plant (or transplant) your begonias and approximately every three weeks thereafter.

Do begonias like to be misted?

Begonias also require high humidity to thrive, a challenge when growing them indoors. ... You also should not spray begonias with water, especially rex begonias. Misting does create humidity, but begonias are prone to powdery mildew, so it's better to keep the leaves dry.

Can you root tuberous begonias in water?

No need to use a soilless mix and rooting hormone, these plants want to grow. You can start them in a glass of water. Keep the begonia cut stems cool and moist until you get them into a clear vase or jar of water. ... Make sure you know which way is up since the cuttings will not root if you put the tops down in the water.

Can you take cuttings of begonias?

All begonias, however, can be propagated by rooting stem cuttings, sometimes called tip cuttings. The basic idea of this kind of propagation is that a plant will clone itself by sprouting roots on a piece of stem that is put in water or a moist growing medium.

How do you encourage the roots to grow from cuttings?

To promote root growth, create a rooting solution by dissolving an aspirin in water. 3. Give your new plant time to acclimate from water to soil. If you root your cutting in water, it develops roots that are best adapted to get what they need from water rather than from soil, Clark pointed out.