What Kind of Light Does a Begonia Need?
- Full Sunlight Locations. Bronze-leaf wax begonias (Begonia x semperflorens-cultorum) are one of the few cultivars that prefer full sunlight.
- Part Shade Varieties. Most begonia varieties prefer partial shade and indirect sunlight. ...
- Moisture Consideration. Begonias use the strong summer sunlight for their main blooming period. ...
- Excessive Sunlight. ...
Does a Begonia need more shade or sunlight?
With begonias, full sun is the most common culprit to damage, as most begonias need partial shade. Shade-loving begonias that receive too much direct sunlight may burn, according to the Clemson University Extension.
How much sunlight do begonias need?
Most begonias grow best in part shade (4 to 6 hours of direct morning sun a day), or filtered sun (as through trees). Most will tolerate full shade (no direct or filtered sun), but won't be as dense and usually have fewer flowers. A few grow in full sun. They prefer moist, but not soggy, soils.
Which are begonias tolerate hot sun?
Which Begonias Tolerate Hot Sun?
- Wax Begonias. Wax begonias ( Begonia x semperflorens-cultorum) are the best begonias for sun, heat and drought tolerance.
- Sun-Tolerant Begonias. Several of the begonia varieties with wing-shaped leaves are also very sun-tolerant. ...
- Full Sun Tips. ...
- General Care. ...
Can Angel Wing Begonias take full sun?
Keep plant away from drafts. Furthermore, how much sun does an angel wing begonia need? Angel Wing Begonias will grow well under shade cloth, lattice, or in early morning/late afternoon sun. They will burn if grown in direct mid-day sun. The flowers are edible, with a sweet tart taste.
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Where is the best place to put begonias?
Where to plant begonias. Begonias grow well in dappled or partial shade – avoid south-facing spots as the foliage can burn in direct sunlight. If you're growing begonias in a greenhouse, shading may be required. Tuberous begonias are ideal for growing in pots and hanging baskets.
Which begonias tolerate full sun?
Wax begonias (Begonia x semperflorens-cultorum) are the best begonias for sun, heat and drought tolerance. Varieties with bronze-colored foliage are the best for full-sun conditions. The cultivars "Victory" and "Cocktail" are two examples of bronze-colored wax begonias.
How often do you water begonias?
every two to four daysA good rule of thumb is to water every two to four days. When it's hot and dry you'll need to water more often than when the air cools down and the soil holds more moisture. Begonia plants in full sun will also require more water than plants in shady locations.
Do begonias do better inside or outside?
The fact that begonias like shade outdoors makes them ideal for growing inside. If you do plant them outdoors, be sure to avoid direct sunlight. Indoors place them near a window that gets bright filtered light. Early morning sun in an east facing window works well.
How do you keep begonias blooming?
For maximum blooms, begonias should be lightly fertilized every 10 to 14 days when grown in pots and containers. For bedding plants, fertilizing every three to four weeks is enough to do the trick. But the real key is to use a light dose of nutrients in place of full strength applications.
Do you deadhead begonias?
Hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 6 through 11, depending on the cultivar, begonias (Begonia spp.) do not require deadheading to thrive. Rather they self-clean by dropping spent flowers on their own, says the University of Illinois Extension.
How long do potted begonias last?
2 to 3 yearsNo begonia has a long life span. Most only live for 2 to 3 years, even with good care. Cane begonias such as angel wings go dormant if the temperature gets too cool.
What do Overwatered begonias look like?
An overwatered begonia will have yellowing leaves, beginning at the base. You may also see brown leaf tips despite the plant's location having good humidity. The leaves may start to drop off, and they will feel soft and mushy.
Should I Bottom water my begonia?
Bottom watering will not wash away salts and other minerals from the soil, so make sure to also give water over the soil every now and then.
Why do my begonias keep dying?
Overwatering and underwatering are the most common causes of a begonia wilting. Begonias wilt quickly once their soil dries out, but maintaining excessively wet soil can also result in dramatic wilting due to root rot. Temperature stress, transplant shock, pests, and disease can also cause drooping.
Do begonias come back every year?
This results in at least four months of blooms a year and if looked after properly, they will come back year after year so one purchase will give years of enjoyment in your garden. Begonias are extremely versatile and can be used in different ways.
Are begonias hard to care for?
Let's cut to the chase, begonias can be difficult plants to grow as houseplants, too often the leaves start crisping and no matter what you do, you can't stop it until the plant dies. Sometimes you end up overwatering exacerbating the problem by causing root rot leading to less water uptake.
Begonias that can Grow in Full Sun
In temperate regions with very cold winters, sunlight-loving begonias are grown as annuals in plant hardiness zones 11 and 12. In warmer climates though, they can survive the harsh growing conditions of the comparatively milder winter months.
How To Care for Sun Loving Begonias
Growing and caring for begonias in full sun is not radically different from their shade-loving cousins. The growing conditions are almost similar with some slight variations mostly related to outdoor planting issues and watering.
Tips
Take your begonias indoors to a warmer area during winter. Most varieties don’t survive frost.
Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Begonias In Sun
That depends on the variety. Most begonias thrive best in the shade. But quite a few are heat tolerant with the wax begonia (Begonia semperflorens) known as the most heat-tolerant variety.
What color are dragon wings begonias?
These begonias display bronze leaves and small blossoms in rose, red, pink or white. A good option for the home garden is the versatile dragon wings begonia (Begonia x argenteoguttata 'Dragon Wings') that thrives in either full sun or shade.
Why is full sun important for begonias?
The question of full sun or shade is so important because, beyond development, excessive sun or shade can seriously damage plants. With begonias, full sun is the most common culprit to damage, as most begonias need partial shade.
How tall do begonias grow?
Begonias are prized for their attractive foliage as well as their vivid, beautiful flowers. These plants reach a height of 8 inches to 2 feet and grow well in hanging containers as well as in garden beds, according to the Clemson University Extension. For best production of flowers, plants need appropriate environments with optimal sun or shaded conditions. For most begonias, ideal sun exposure includes partial shade. However, it is important to consider the species. There are some begonias that tolerate or thrive in full sun.
Why do begonias fade?
Shade-loving begonias that receive too much direct sunlight may burn, according to the Clemson University Extension. Additionally, too much sun exposure may cause begonias to wilt and their blossoms to fade, according to the University of Minnesota Extension. 00:00.
Can begonias grow in full sun?
Particularly with tolerant plants, a begonia that can handle full sun is often only capable of doing so provided the plant is healthy and well-maintained. Grow begonias in moist, well-drained soil high in organic content, according to the Clemson University Extension.
What is the best begonia for full sun?
Wax Begonias. Wax begonias ( Begonia x semperflorens-cultorum) are the best begonias for sun, heat and drought tolerance. Varieties with bronze-colored foliage are the best for full-sun conditions. The cultivars "Victory" and "Cocktail" are two examples of bronze-colored wax begonias. Modern cultivars with green leaves can also grow in sun so long ...
What zone do wax begonias grow in?
Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 through 11. They are grown as annuals in cooler zones.
Do begonias like sun?
Several of the begonia varieties with wing-shaped leaves are also very sun-tolerant. "Dragon Wing Red" begonia ( Begonia "Bepared") grows best in full sun to part shade, and prefers some afternoon shade in warm climates. Begonias in the "Big Series" ( Begonia x benariensis Big Series) are slightly less sun tolerant, preferring dappled sunlight throughout the day, though they will grow in full sun. Both these varieties are noteworthy for their tolerance to hot, humid summers.
Do begonias need fertilizer?
So long as the soil is fertile, begonias need little fertilization. If you amend the soil with well-rotted manure before planting begonias in the spring, they won't need supplemental fertilizer. In nutrient-poor soils, use an all-purpose plant food that contains 5 or 10 percent nitrogen.
Do begonias grow in full sun?
Image Credit: pixynook/iStock/Getty Images. Though typically recommended as shade plants, several begonia varieties ( Begonia spp.) grow well in full sun. As tropical plants, they have the added advantage of thriving in hot weather.
How to keep begonias from dying back?
Start decreasing water in late summer to early fall and trim back foliage when it starts to yellow. Dig up the tubers at the first threat of frost. Clean any remaining dirt from the tubers and dry them on newspaper in a sunny location for about a week. To prevent powdery mildew, lightly dust them with sulfur powder and store individually in paper bags or wrapped in newspaper.
What is a begonia?
Typically used as houseplants and in shaded summer beds, begonias have tropical and subtropical origins. Some are grown for their asymmetrical, patterned and variegated foliage, and others to add color to shady garden areas with their bright blooms.
How big do Rex begonias get?
A subgroup of rhizomatous, Rex begonias ( Begonia rex ), are widely available, sold by florists and garden centers year-round, and generally reach 12 to 18 inches tall and wide. Their distinct foliage makes them a popular houseplant, but they can be finicky.
How tall do wax begonias grow?
Wax begonias are typically grown as annuals, reaching 6 to 12 inches tall and wide.
What is the largest class of begonias?
Rhizomatous begonias: The largest class, rhizomatous begonias are distinguished by relatively thick stems, or rhizomes, that grow horizontally near the soil surface and sprout new roots and leaves. They also have some of the most interesting leaves and stems and are often grown as houseplants.
How big do angel wing begonias get?
They are popular and well-suited as houseplants, but can also be grown outside. Their size varies with growing conditions, from 6- to 12-inch houseplants to bushy plants up to 5 feet.
How tall do Begonia grandis grow?
Begonia grandis varieties are cold-hardy plants suitable for Zones 6 to 9. They grow 12 to 18 inches tall and wide and thrive in part shade to full shade locations. They’ll bloom from early summer until frost with clusters of slightly fragrant, light pink flowers, and they have large heart-shaped medium green leaves.
