You may plant begonia tubers or develop them from seed, however if you wish to know the best way to get probably the most lovely blooms, begin with this assortment of fastidiously curated content material from the web. These articles, movies and Instagram posts have been created by those that know begonias finest – skilled gardeners and skilled lovers. With just some useful suggestions from these specialists, you’ll quickly be rising award-winning begonias in your individual backyard.
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Greatest recommendation on rising begonias from tubers or seed
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Affected person Gardener Daniel likes to give his begonia tubers a head begin indoors. He will get them stepping into March, prepared to maneuver them exterior as soon as all likelihood of frost has handed. However don’t plant them too deeply, he says, and take care to get them the fitting method up. “You need to search for slightly dip within the tuber. That is the highest.”
At Pyracantha, John Moore additionally begins his tubers off indoors. He says, “inside just a few weeks, you need to see buds rising, and when you see 3cm shoots…rub away all however the strongest three.” Because the buds proceed to develop, John steadily provides compost one centimetre at a time till it reaches the highest of the pot. At that time, he offers them a shot of liquid tomato fertilizer for a fast enhance. Learn his full rising begonias article for extra wonderful suggestions.
Adam makes it look tremendous simple as he crops begonia corms on this brief video information at Allotment Develop How. The key, based on Adam, just isn’t letting any moisture get contained in the corm which may trigger it to rot. He occasions it in order that his begonias go into their pots about six weeks earlier than the final frost, able to be hardened off and planted out on the finish of Could.
Most individuals develop begonias from tubers or purchase trays of plug crops, however some varieties may be grown efficiently from seed, as Daniel, Affected person Gardener, confirms in his article: Methods to sow begonia seeds. He recommends sifting the soil and watering it earlier than you sprinkle the tiny seeds on the floor. Don’t cowl them with compost, as they want a number of gentle to germinate.
Greatest recommendation on the best way to overwinter begonias
Based on James Middleton of The Allotment Backyard: “Though usually offered as half-hardy annuals, most begonias are literally perennials. Nonetheless, they’re by no means frost hardy.” He overwinters his tuberous rooted begonias in previous hanging baskets in his backyard shed, however he says that any cool, darkish and dry place will do. Fibrous rooted begonias, alternatively, must be pruned and brought indoors. See his full step-by-step information to overwintering begonias for extra wonderful suggestions.
“[Leafy] begonias actually do hate central heating,” says Jack of Jack Wallington Backyard Design. He’s tried to carry them indoors to overwinter as houseplants, however not many survive. As an alternative, his most well-liked methodology is to take leaf cuttings from his favourites. It’s “a enjoyable and simple methodology of rising a number of begonias in miniature type via winter, able to plant up and develop en masse in spring,” says Jack.
As soon as the frosts arrive, you have to elevate your tuberous begonias, says Peter Seabrook in his wonderful video over on The Backyard Channel. Watch how he fastidiously removes the soil from his tubers in order to not injury their skins. He takes the chance to test for vine weevil whereas he’s at it. Simply check out the massive tubers Peter shops in paper baggage till subsequent spring.
Over at Allotment Develop How, Adam helps his father save his favorite begonia corms. Merely snapping off the stems, Adam’s video demonstrates how he finds the tubers, wraps them in fleece, and shops them within the greenhouse till spring. The most important begonia corms may be divided to type two new crops, says Adam.
Greatest recommendation on begonia care and pests
If you’d like a vibrant show of blooms for your entire summer season, the perfect time to fill your hanging baskets with begonias is late spring. The Suttons horticultural staff recommends including water storing crystals to the compost. Watch this sensible video for extra high tips about caring for hanging baskets.
In case your begonia tubers get actually huge, you may divide them to create new crops, says Daniel of Affected person Gardener. “Simply bear in mind although, that new, smaller tubers won’t present as many flowers as older bigger tubers will,” he warns. If you wish to have a go, learn Daniel’s full article on the best way to divide begonias earlier than you begin.
The 2 greatest threats to begonias are vine weevil and mildew, says Peter Seabrook of The Backyard Channel. In the event you carry your begonias indoors within the winter, you would possibly get an unattractive white powdery development throughout all of the leaves. It may be handled, however to forestall it occurring within the first place, preserve your crops moist. Watch Peter’s video on the best way to deal with mildew for extra useful recommendation.
Greatest recommendation on begonia houseplants
In the event you love houseplants, Jack at Jack Wallington Backyard Design says that his personal indoor begonias had been remodeled when he moved them to bigger pots. “I switched all of my crops as much as 20cm pots and positive sufficient, they’ve grown so a lot better, creating fortunately into substantial crops over one summer season,” he says. Don’t miss his compost, feeding and watering suggestions too.
Over @tracys_tropical_plants, Tracy Walton shares a stunning picture of her lately repotted indoor begonia maculata. “The crimson leaves look lovely between inexperienced foliage crops. Brings a little bit of color into your own home,” she says. Take a look at her attractive feed for some really tropical greenery.
Within the house of simply 12 months, Geoff’s indoor begonias have grown from small plugs to good sized houseplants with a number of wholesome foliage. Exhibiting earlier than and after pictures of his begonia Rex, he explains that getting the fitting temperature is vital to success. They don’t prefer to be in direct solar both. Go to Geoff’s YouTube channel, Tropical Crops at 53 Levels North to take a look at his begonia ‘Curly Fireflush’ and different Rex varieties.
Greatest begonias to develop in hanging baskets, pots and borders
Michael Perry of Mr Plant Geek says: “If there’s one plant that’s excellent for a dangling basket…it’s Begonia Illumination.” Accessible in eight colors, and appropriate for half shade, Michael says, “it is a delightfully buxom plant with a trailing behavior that may tumble over the perimeters of your baskets in a waterfall of gorgeous begonia flowers!” What’s to not love?
In the event you’re searching for standout window packing containers, Begonia ‘Apricot Shades Enhanced’ is what Phoebe recommends over @shegrowsawildgarden. Purchased as tiny plugs, not solely did they thrive in her backyard, she left them in situ over winter they usually got here again even larger and higher the subsequent 12 months. “I believe the truth that this a part of the backyard is sheltered and retains heat due to the bricks actually helps them.” Go to her put up to see for your self.
Over at Backyard Ruminations, Jim has loads of expertise rising begonias. For one thing actually particular, he crops Begonia luxurians exterior within the borders. “This fabulously architectural plant has completely thrived on this therapy although it’s killed fully by the primary important frost.” Nonetheless, not all is misplaced, explains Jim, as “it’s very simple to develop from cuttings and small crops are simply overwintered to start out the cycle once more.”
We hope we’ve answered a lot of your begonia rising questions and impressed you to attempt some new varieties. Check out our full vary of begonia tubers right here, or add just a few garden-ready begonia crops to your basket if you need prompt affect.
Lead picture: Begonia Nonstop Mocca Combine from Suttons