The Versatile Begonia

Begonias are quite popular in Florida, both as landscape and house plants. This ornamental family offers a wide variety of shapes, sizes and colors for the home gardener to choose from. And, in addition to being excellent, showy flowering and foliage plants, begonias are rarely bothered by insects or diseases.

There are several different types of begonias. Each is suited for a different landscape or home use. The begonias which adapt well to Florida growing conditions can be divided into three types -- fibrous rooted, tuberous rooted, and rex begonias. The fibrous rooted kinds-also known as wax begonias-have a fine root system and waxy green or bronze leaves and stems. Tuberous rooted begonias are grown from underground storage tubers, and produce large flowers and foliage. Rex begonias, which have underground stems called rhizomes, come in a variety of colorful foliage types.

These three kinds of begonias have a variety of uses around the landscape and in the home. The fibrous rooted types make excellent plants for flower beds. They bloom year-round, although summer growth is not as great as in other seasons. Their white or brilliant pink and red flowers contrast with their dark green or bronze leaves, making these begonias excellent plants for display. Fibrous rooted begonias can be grown in full sun or partial shade.

Tuberous rooted begonias can be used in flower beds, but they're more often used as pot plants, or in hanging baskets. Upright growing forms are best adapted as pot or bedding plant subjects and vine forms used in hanging baskets or planters.

Rex begonias are grown mainly as house plants. Their foliage is often cut and used in flower arrangements. The variety of leaf shapes and colors make the rex begonia a highly prized foliage plant.

The best way to grow begonias is to start with young plants produced by commercial growers. Visit a local garden center or nursery, and choose disease free plants that appear to be healthy and vigorous. Such plants should produce many branches and become thick and bushy as they mature.

Since most Florida soils don't hold nutrients or water very well, you'll need to improve the soil before planting your begonias. Adding two or three inches of organic matter such as peat moss or compost to your flower beds will help the soil hold nutrients and water better. In addition to the organic matter, 2 pounds of 6-6-6 or a similar complete fertilizer should be added for every 100 square feet of soil surface.

If you're growing begonias in pots or planters, make sure the containers provide adequate drainage. If begonias are allowed to stand in excess water, roots will become suffocated. A soil mixture of one-half peat and one-half perlite will provide adequate aeration and allow good growth.

Begonias aren't heavy feeders, so apply fertilizer sparingly. Two pounds of a 6-6-6 or a similar complete fertilizer per 100 square feet of garden bed will meet your plants' basic nutritional requirements. Container grown begonias should be fertilized with a half teaspoon of an all-purpose garden fertilizer each month. Pots and hanging baskets also may be fertilized with the convenient, liquid house plant fertilizers available at garden centers. But, be careful not to exceed the recommended rates of application.

Begonias are rarely troubled with insects or diseases. However, a few problems may arise-especially if the plants are crowded or overwatered. Remove dead or diseased leaves as soon as possible, and keep plants well-spaced, to allow for air circulation. A general purpose fungicide will control most foliar disease problems, such as bacterial leaf spot, and powdery mildew. Since begonias are normally so free of problems, you should probably carefully review your cultural practices if some difficulty does develop. Cultural errors could be the key to the trouble.


Copyright by Dr. Bob's Gardening Tips