Begonia plant is the easiest and most convenient plant to grow in containers. This group of plants loves the warm environment. They were found in the tropical and subtropical areas in the forest understory.
Rex Begonias, which is foliage are grown for their beautiful leaves and fancy colors. The colors are in the form of markings and swirls which are highlighted by unusual markings. Their growth gives a sensational statement, especially on a partially sunlit windowsill. Begonia boliviensis hybrids, which are the type of flowering, are grown as summer annuals in the garden. Many new verities are found, some are non-stop bloomers and others may perform well in sunlight or partial shade. Here are some plants which are most popular and receive a lot of love from customers:
Begonia hybrids are famous due to their unusual markings, color, and leaf shapes. Shortleaf stalk bears the leaves, developed from the underground rhizome. Short red hairs are found on the edges and undersides of leaves.
Leaves
Usually, the leaves are Asymmetrical and 4-9 inches in length and they vary in the shades of pink, red, purple, green, silver, and brown.
Flowers
Flowers are pink in color and usually small and incidental. It’s recommended that you should cut the flowers and allow the energy to consume in the growth of leaves. In the same way, stalks of flowers are usually removed and plant energy is diverted to focus on the growing leaves.
How to grow Begonia?
Rex Begonia demands basic inputs like water, food, and humidity just at the right amount and time. The plant varies in its features. Its demand may vary from one place to another. Do you want to know the wants of your plant? you should observe its adjustment to new surroundings. If the plant is flourishing, continue with what you were providing to the plant. If it looks gangly or droopy, you adjust the water and light. Eventually, you will observe the right balance.
Make sure that containers and garden beds meet the requirements of the plant. If your area is too cold, you should definitely grow it as a houseplant or in any outdoor container that can bring you indoors in cold temperature.
Light
It requires full sunlight to partial shade. It’s better to avoid the plant from direct sunlight. Indirect and bright light is best because they need some light to maintain coloring.
Soil
Rex Begonia’s plant prefers light and rich soil. A moist and well-drained location is best to get optimal conditions of soil and mulching will provide shade to roots. Make sure to provide a hole for the drainage of water in pots. In containers, use a potting mixture of peat-based material.
Water
You should provide water when you feel the pot or soil dry, but do not wait otherwise plant will begin to wilt. During their dormant period in the winter season, you can cut back on the provision of water. Provide water only when you feel dry pot. It’s crucial to provide humid conditions to feel your plant happy, but spraying water can lead to spotting of leaves. To create an internal humid environment, it’s better to cluster your plants or may use a pebble tray.
Humidity And Temperature
Begonia shows sensitivity to changes in temperature or below (16 Celsius). They will feel happy as houseplants or store them as dormant plants in winters as we would do with other tender bulb plants. These plants demand high humidity (50% or more), So it can be difficult to manage the plants indoors during the winter season.
Fertilizer
Any good indoor or house plant food should feed to your potted plant on monthly basis. The scraggly plant may appear by provisioning too much food, so give attention to your plant and adjust feed according to variety. This plant can be unpredictable and you should find the perfect conditions and right balance for your plant. Give a managed feed during the winters.
Repotting
Repotting should be done during every spring season will make sure that they have too much soil for growth but a little bit of pot bounding is liked by plants. Pruning is better for gangly and large plants to give them a proper shape. Rotating potted will benefit the the plants to keep them full and stocky.
Suggested Varieties
Read More: Dracaena Plant Complete Care And Growing Guide
A number of hybrid verities are very charming, but on the other hand, they are mislabeled or unlabeled, so make sure to ask questions so it will help to know correctly what you are going to buy.
Begonia Maculata: It’s my favorite I have this in my garden and it’s having dark green leaves with small white dots over this or it also known as polka dot.
Begonia Rex Boston Cherries or Chocolate: In this variety, dark leaves show silver and red spots.
Begonia Rex Escargot: Spiraling markings appear. The leaves bend inward and each leaf gives a snail-like appearance.
Begonia Rex Fireworks: Silver color wing-shaped leaves snd they are etched with purple.
Begonia Rex Snow queen: Leaves are silver and have resistance to many diseases.
Design suggestions
It shows really unique qualities when we pair them with green plants through the variety of forms and textures. Their appearance is really amazing in shady and outdoor tropical gardens. The most known way to show the begonia is to assemble and collect them together, each plant in its own single pot.
Pests and Problems
In wet conditions diseases like bacterial leaf spots, botrytis and mildew can attack leaves. So it is better to select well-drained soil for your plant and irrigate them sparingly. It can save your plant from many problems. If you are living in any flooding or rainy area then grow your begonias plant in pots, it will help you to bring your plant under shelter in adverse weather.
Insect pests like aphids, mealybugs, and caterpillars or slugs can cause a problem for our plants. A pesticide spray can take care of your plant by solving the issue. Take care in handling the snails and slugs by keeping the slug bait close to your plants.
How Longer Begonia Plant Can Survive?
Begonia Plant can survive about 24-36 months but its life span will totally depend on your care.
