Begonias are always very popular with gardeners because they are easy to grow and because of the beautiful colors. Whether you want a new houseplant for your collection, or something to add to your hanging pots, or to the garden, consider begonias. Even if they are plants that must be replanted every year, it is really worth it.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Part 1: Preparing for Planting
Step 1. Choose a type of begonia to plant
There are two types of begonias: those grown from seeds and those grown from tubers / bulbs. Seed-grown begonias tend to be a little smaller and harder to grow, while bulb-grown begonias are larger, more robust plants. Both varieties come in many color choices, including shades of pink, white, purple, yellow, and red. Begonias are annuals, although the bulbs can be stored and replanted for years to come. If you don't want to put up with the hassle of bulbs and seeds, go to a local nursery to get a small potted begonia to transplant.
- In rare cases, one type of perennial begonia can be found, but these aren't really common.
- You can choose to grow begonias from cuttings as well.
Step 2. Choose where to put them
Begonias are one of the many common flowers that can be successfully grown both indoors and outdoors. They like shade, and are the perfect addition to your houseplant collection. If you plant begonias in a pot, place them on an east, west, or south facing window. You can also arrange them on a shaded porch that receives abundant sunlight. If you plant them in the garden, place them in a shady spot under other larger plants, or on the northern side of the garden.
- Begonias can stand the sun, but avoid exposing them to direct sunlight.
- If you don't have a window available indoors for potted begonias, you will need to use a lamp to provide them with some light.
Step 3. Prepare the ground
Or rather, do not prepare the soil at all, because begonias grow better in the mixed soil of the garden, rather than in the typical 'soil'. Make a mixture of ⅔ of peat moss and ⅓ of regular potting soil (available at garden supply stores and nurseries). Begonias prefer acidic, well-draining environments characteristic of the peat moss mixture. If you need to grow outdoors, mix lots of peat moss and organic matter with the soil to create the best environment for the begonias.
- If you are using a peat moss mixture, soak the moss in boiling water and allow it to cool before planting begonias.
- You can use a 20-20-20 liquid fertilizer in addition to the mixture to supplement some nutrients for the begonias.
Step 4. Know when to plant
Begonias are annuals, so they don't grow back every year. Therefore, you will need to replant them every year, usually in the middle of spring. Begonias can't stand cold temperatures and frosts, so wait at least a week after the winter frost ends to plant them. At the very least, plant them in a pot indoors and then transplant them outdoors when the weather is warmer.
Method 2 of 2: Part 2: Planting Begonias
Step 1. Prepare the soil / container for planting in the garden
If you plant begonias outdoors, dig a hole a few centimeters deep for the seeds and bulbs, or large enough to cover the roots of a potted plant to be transplanted. Begonias to be placed in raised beds or containers need a space only slightly larger than their roots, or a larger space only if interspersed with other plants. Begonias don't need a lot of space, so feel free to plant them near other plants in your garden, or near the edge of the container / bed.
Step 2. Plant the begonias
Take the bulbs, seeds, or seedling to transplant and place them in the hole you dug. Each begonia plant needs its own hole, even if they can be placed close by. Cover the top of the root, bulb or seeds with a few inches of soil / mixture. If you are planting a small begonia plant, remove the sod a little before placing it in the hole.
Step 3. Water the plant
Most plants need a little extra water after planting to avoid what is known as 'transplant trauma'. Give the begonias adequate watering, so that the soil moistens, but does not get soaked. The flowers will need to be watered frequently, manually or with a watering system. Begonias don't tolerate abundant watering, so don't worry about keeping the earth constantly wet. And if it rains heavily in your area, you should move them to a porch or indoors to keep them from getting soaked.
Step 4. Do maintenance in the garden
If you plant begonias in a pot on the porch or indoors, you won't have to fight much with weeds. However, if the plants are in an outdoor garden, check often for weeds and eliminate them. Add a 20-20-20 liquid fertilizer about once a month, or mix in some compost and peat to add nutrients. You can mulch the garden if you want, as this will retain moisture (which means less frequent watering) and prevent new weeds from sprouting.
Step 5. Cut the begonias
Over time, you will notice that the flowers on the plant begin to darken and die. At this point, you should sever them. That is, cut or pull off the end of the dead flower, in order to encourage new growth and direct nutrients to other parts of the plant. At the end of the flowering season, take out all dead shoots and leave the green plant. In this way, the nutrients the plant absorbs will all be stored in the bulb to be used for the following season, instead of being destined for the flower buds that are now dead.
Step 6. Protect the plants from pests
While outdoor plants are always at risk, houseplants can also be infested with pests. Keep outdoor begonias safe from slugs and snails by crushing egg shells and arranging them around the base of the plant. Indoor begonias are often infested with cochineal, which can be killed with the regular use of sprays with a little alcohol. Other pests can be eliminated with light garden insecticides. Speak to a local nursery attendant for advice on the best methods for begonias.
Step 7. Collect the begonias
Begonias are typically not used in flower arrangements because they don't have long stems, but you can use the flowers for decoration. Pick the flower near the top, avoiding getting too many leaves or too long a part of the stem. You can take as many as you like during the growing season, as they should grow back after a few days.
Step 8. Protect the plants from the cold
If the plants aren't dead when it gets too cold outside, you can save them by bringing them indoors. This only works for outdoor potted plants though. Place the pots on a window that gets plenty of sunlight. In the first 1-2 weeks indoors, begonias will drop a lot of leaves, but this is normal. They should recover after acclimating to their new environment.
Step 9. Store the bulbs
At the end of the year when the plants are preparing for winter, begonia bulbs can be stored for replanting the following spring. Wait until the plant has completely browned, and then pull all the main stems / leaves off the bulb. Place the bulbs on a wire rack or mesh in a cool, dry area to dry for 5-7 days. When they are completely dry, you can store them. The bulbs then need to be placed in a cardboard box filled with dry peat moss until they are replanted in spring.
Advice
- If you tear off begonias, you can put them in water indoors so that they form roots. Once the roots have developed well, place them in a pot to grow a new begonia.
- Begonias can be started from seeds, but it takes about 4 months for them to be set up outdoors. The seeds are very delicate, so it is difficult to start plants this way.
