All About Begonia Plant

How to Grow Begonia

Apart from the Begoniaceae family, the begonia plant can be grown from tubers, rhizomes, or long, cane-like fibers. You would have to choose the rhizomatous begonias when you want to grow them in India. The roots of this variety are extremely knobbly, with the stems growing horizontally on the surface of the soil. The leaves turn yellow, white, purple, and red in addition to green forming unique combinations with the bright begonia flower.

Popular Types of Begonia

With over 1200 known varieties, you can be spoilt for choice while choosing the right begonia plants for home. Go through some of the most popular begonia varieties before deciding.

• Charm: Alternatively known as wax begonia, this is a small-sized plant with pink flowers and multicolored leaves.

• Dusty Rose: A taller plant that grows up to a foot on mounds of soil and has mauve flowers that resemble a rose.

• Mocca Yellow: True to its name, this variety has bright yellow flowers. You may even find double flowers in the non-stop Mocca variety that grows above the dark green leaves.

• Red Tempest- You will be glad to find the plant filled with pink flowers of all possible shades

• Doublet White: Ths garden plant comes with dark green leaves and white flowers, making for a beautiful contrast.

• Rex Begonia: You cannot go wrong by choosing this variety for an indoor plant. Its leaves look like arrowheads, and flowers come in a range of colors.

Caring for Begonia Flowering Plants

1. Soil & Water: Use well-drained, moist soil that has been nourished with the addition of compost and or peat moss. Be careful of watering too much as the roots tend to rot if there is excessive water at the roots. You may sprinkle water on the plants during the dry season to rejuvenate the plants. Water the soil around the garden plants regularly, but ensure that it does not get accumulated near the roots.

2. Sunlight: It is important to plant the Begonias in a garden area that is partially shaded. Although deemed to be tropical plants for home gardens, begonias cannot tolerate harsh, glaring sunlight continuously. You may want to plant it in a bed created at the base of a big tree that provides enough cover. Planting Begonias in covered patios will beautify your deck and filter the sunlight at the same time.

3. Fertilizing: Nourish the blooming plants with a liquid fertilizer in the 10-10-10 ratio. You may dilute the fertilizer with water to use it on the freshly planted begonia. Fertilize it every three weeks to facilitate growth and encourage blooming. Pouring the fertilizer mix around its base is advisable instead of spraying it directly on the leaves.

Common Problems

Just like other plans, the begonia is prone to several problems too. You must be extremely careful about preventing and irradiating the following problems if you want to keep the garden or indoor Begonia plant thriving throughout the year.

Rhizoctonia is a disease that affects the flowering plants at its base. Removing the wilted leaves and spraying the plant with fungicides is best. You may change the soil from the pot or container when you want to grow it indoors.

Be careful about the following pest infestations, which begonia plants often fall prey to:

• Thrips

• Spider Mites

• Mealy Bugs

• White Flies

• Snails & Slugs

Don't rule out fungal infections. Check the leaves and stem regularly for the following, which might be symptoms of fungal infection:

• Powdery Mildew

• Spotty Leaves

• Scale Insects

• Sooty Mould

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Conclusion

Make your garden areas attractive by planting begonia. It is very easy to grow! All you need is plenty of sunshine, a little shade, and regular watering, and you can enjoy the colorful Begonias all through spring. In case you have limited space, you can grow white, pink, red, and yellow Begonias indoors too!