Avalanche begonias in pink or white are rangier, suited for containers and hanging baskets, where their arching growth habit is handsome. Good green-leaved varieties are found in the Lotto and Pizzazz series. Related varieties: Popular, dark-leaved kinds are the Cocktail series: Brandy, Vodka, Whiskey, and Gin. They're also suitable in front of summer annual borders and combine well with other cool-colored flowers in mixed plantings and containers. Uses: Wax-leaved begonias lend themselves to large, formal plantings because of their uniform size and shapeliness. Cuttings root readily, so an easier way to start plants is on a sunny windowsill during fall and winter. Germination temperature is 70 degrees to 85 degrees Fahrenheit and requires 14 to 21 days. Dustlike seeds (two million per ounce) must be sown in December or January for large, husky plants by May. Propagation: Most hybrids are grown from seed, but great patience is required. Most hybrids will grow six to nine inches high and spread as wide. They'll form tight, compact plants in full sun, with increasingly looser form and fewer flowers as you move them deeper into the shade. How to grow: Fibrous begonias perform well in rich, well-drained soil, but the soil must be allowed to dry between waterings. There are also varieties with double flowers that resemble fat little rosebuds and others with variegated foliage. The deeper-colored or bronze-leaved varieties offer especially eye-catching contrast with flowers. All four flower colors are available with your choice of leaf color: chocolaty-red or shades of green. They are widely available in market packs.ĭescription: Uniformity is the trademark of most wax begonias: tight mounds of closely packed leaves covered with blossoms. Virtually untouched by bugs or blight, their only shortcoming is a relatively narrow color range. From first setting them out until they are laid low by frost, they'll be packed with white, pink, rose, or red blossoms. These brightly colored bedding begonias are equally at home in full sun (except where temperatures stay above 90 degrees Fahrenheit for days on end) or full but bright shade (where trees are pruned high). Wax begonias, or fibrous begonias, are annual plants. Wax begonias, also called fibrous begonias, are tall. To make a mini greenhouse, cover the pot with a plastic bag and keep the soil moist until the cutting roots.©2006 Publications International, Ltd. Place a 3-4 inch cutting from a healthy stem in a moist potting mix pot. Wax begonias can be propagated through stem cuttings. In the spring, repot with new potting mix and a slightly larger pot. Wax begonias should be replanted every 1-2 years or when the roots outgrow the pot. Humidity:īecause wax begonias prefer high humidity, consider placing a humidifier near the plant or placing the pot on a tray of pebbles filled with water. Use a fungicide or insecticidal soap to address these issues. Wax begonias are relatively pest and disease resistant, but they are susceptible to powdery mildew and mealybugs. Remove any yellow or dead leaves as needed. To encourage bushy growth, pinch back the tips of the stems. Fertilizer:ĭuring the growing season, feed the wax begonia a balanced fertilizer every 4-6 weeks. Place them away from cold drafts and heating vents. Dig your finger down a few inches into the soil, and if at least the top few inches feel fairly dry, then underwatering is the most likely cause of the problem. If you see your begonia wilting dramatically, just feel the soil. Wax begonias prefer temperatures ranging from 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 24 degrees Celsius). Wax begonias (Begonia semperflorens) tend to be much more tolerant to drought. Place them near a window that receives bright, filtered light or, if necessary, use artificial light. Wax begonias prefer indirect, bright light. Overwatering can cause root rot, so avoid it. Wax begonias prefer moist soil that is evenly moist, so water them when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Plant the wax begonia at the same depth it was originally in its container. Choose a pot with good drainage and fill it with a potting mix that drains well.
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