![]() ![]() They have either an upright growth habit (for window boxes, flower pots and garden beds) or a cascading habit (for planters and hanging baskets). These frost-sensitive plants grow from firm, round to oval tubers. The focus of this article is tuberous begonias. Begonia grandis is a hardy perennial begonia (zones 6-9) that’s often grown with hostas and astilbes. They grow from fleshy, creeping roots and are usually maintained as houseplants. ![]() Rhizomatous and rex begonias are valued for their ornamental foliage. Both grow from a clump of roots and are winter hardy in growing zones 9-11. Wax begonias and angel-wing begonias are usually grown as outdoor annuals or indoor houseplants. ![]() There are several different types of begonias. Once begonias begin flowering, they bloom continuously from summer to frost. Unlike most flowering plants, which require at least a half day of full sun, begonias actually prefer growing in the shade. It’s as easy as collecting the seed pods, drying them, removing the chaff, and storing them in a sealed envelope.Your Guide to Planning, Planting, and Growing Begoniasīegonias brighten up shady areas with their colorful blooms. However, you can make the most of your plants if you know how to collect begonia seeds and make use of the faded blooms after the flowering season. You can propagate begonias from stem cuttings, leaf cuttings, or division. You can keep the divisions in the greenhouse until they are ready for transplanting. The cut sections should also be well-buried and in contact with soil to avoid fungal diseases. You can then bury the divisions in a pot where the shoots are above the ground to help it grow easier. It would be best to let the tubers dry before planting and treat them with a fungicide to prevent diseases. Ensure that each division has at least one bud and that it is large enough to flower quicker. Therefore, consider dividing begonias early in spring, so the buds have swollen enough for optimal growth.ĭig around the plant to make it easier to lift from the ground and divide the tubers into sections. ![]() Remember that your plants will start showing fewer flowers over time but grow bigger tubers ideal for the division. You can also place them in the greenhouse and provide fluorescent lights for faster growth.įinally, those with more mature begonia plants can divide them for propagation and also maintenance. Ensure rooting by covering the container with plastic and maintain soil moisture. Secure the contact between the cuts and the medium by pinning the leaf down, but be mindful not to damage a vein. Then, turn the leaf over and press it into your medium. Some gardeners also cut every vein an inch from the central vein. Cut the leaf with some stem intact, and then remove the stem for rooting.įlip the leaf and make a half-inch cut across the largest veins with a sharp and sterile knife so that you can see where the begonia leaf will develop plantlets. Choose a healthy mature leaf with plump main veins, but don’t worry if it looks somewhat tattered as long as you have seen a healthy underside. Then, place the cutting in a glass of water or pot of moist soil to allow them to root.īesides stems, you can also root begonias from leaf cuttings. It would help if you also pruned off all the flowers to direct the cutting’s energy to root development. However, use a sharp and sterile tool to ensure a clean cut.īefore rooting, prepare the cutting by removing all the lower leaves that can rot when you stick the cutting in water or soil. This is also the perfect opportunity to rejuvenate your leggy begonias to provide the cuttings for you. Please start by selecting a healthy parent plant as your cuttings source to ensure that it won’t get stressed afterward.Ĭut sections below a node around 4 inches long, but ensure that it is free of any diseases and damages. This makes them one of the plants that are easy to propagate from stem cuttings, even if you have no experience. We all know that you can root begonia either in water and soil. More so, you may have an easier time with begonia propagation if you start in the greenhouse because of the stable and controlled conditions. These are excellent methods for those with existing mature begonias, so you can save time instead of using seeds. Finally, store the viable seeds into an envelope, seal it, and mark them for use next season.Īccording to the American Begonia Society, you can propagate begonias via stem cuttings, leaf cuttings, and division. You can do this by using two sheets of paper to make the separation easier. Let your seeds dry in this container for a week before the next step.Īfter you have dried the seeds, you want to remove the chaff so that you’ll only be left with viable seeds for planting. Fold the paper to create a funnel and pour the seeds into a sealed container for drying. Once you collected the seedpods, open them over a piece of paper so that it’s easier to pour them on a container later. ![]()
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