Growing Beautiful Begonias

The begonia is a genus of flowering and frost-tender plants that can be grown in most regions of the country. The perennial can be found with show pink, white, scarlet or yellow flowers. Due to the plant's ability to cross hybridize, the begonia literally has thousands of cultivars available; there's no doubt you'll be able to find one for your garden. The best way to grow begonias depends upon whether you grow them outdoors.

Outdoor Begonias

With outdoor growing, you'll want to start out near the end of spring. Fill individual pots with potting soil or peat moss and press a healthy begonia tuber into the surface. Water deeply and don't let the plant dry out. Feed it liquid mare weekly once growth starts to appear, and keep giving it more until it starts to yellow. Plant them outdoors in May in cooler regions, or slightly earlier if you live in a temperate climate. Add some compost to the soil and pick a spot with partial shade and no direct sunlight. Feed an inch of water weepy and lift the tubers in the fall once they've withered, keeping them in a frost free environment through the winter.

Indoor Begonias

If only growing begonias indoors, use a soilless potting medium and a self watering pot, as too much water can quickly kill indoor begonias. Put the pots near a window with lots of indirect sun exposure. Watch them carefully. if they begin to stretch, it's likely an indication that they need more light, but if they start to get a bit burnt, you need to provide more sun protection. You can also just use artificial light through the day if you have trouble finding the right mix. Mist the plants daily or keep a humidifier nearby, and feed them a 20-20-20 fertilizer weekly to keep them growing strong!

Follow these tips for your begonias and these perennials will do the rest.