How to Care for Begonias
Begonias are very popular with American gardeners because they are very easy to learn how to care for. Originally from South America, begonias are hardy plants that will bloom profusely with red, white, pink, yellow, orange or even multicolored blossoms. Whereas most flowering plants need a lot of sunlight to bloom so exuberantly, begonias will still perform when planted in the shade. This makes them very good candidates for container gardens, hanging baskets or even house plants.
Find a spot for your begonias that is protected from the wind. These flowers perform best when planted in dappled sunlight. Avoid any spot with direct, intense sun. Begonias must be grown in soil that drains quickly. They cannot tolerate standing water. They also do not tolerate drought well, so keep an eye on your begonias if you have not been getting much rain. If you are growing your begonias in a container, you can allow the soil to dry in between waterings. If you are growing your begonias in your garden in the shade of another plant or tree, make sure that the shade tree is not sucking all of the moisture from the soil.
Begonias respond well to fertilizer. If you want your begonias to bloom to their full potential, you can fertilize them with a diluted balanced fertilizer all throughout their growing season. Gradually stop fertilizing your outdoor begonias towards the end of August to prepare them for winter dormancy.
Even indoor begonias will go through a dormant period. If you live somewhere very cold, you are probably going to have to bring your begonias indoors during the winter in order to protect them from frost. Dig up the begonias as soon as the foliage begins to yellow once the weather cools. You can cut the stems down and allow the tubers to cure out of direct sunlight in a cool, dark place.
