The leaves may have bold shapes or striking, often silver markings. Lack of plant vigor and browning leaves are good indications that a compact begonia species needs to be thinned to expose the center of the plant to air and sunlight. As such, they’re often used in garden beds. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. For more tips from our Gardening co-author, including how to propagate begonia cuttings, read on! Q. Pruning angel wing begonia. Semperflorens begonias, commonly called wax begonias, are one of the most popular bedding plants in the Western world. This plant has been popular since the Victorian age, and it is still popular in gardens and homes today.Depending on the species, this plant can grow anywhere from six inches tall up to … Clean your scissors or pruning shears by soaking them in a diluted bleach and water solution. Soil – rather rich, well drained. Begonias such as Begonia Rex and Begonia metallica are popular houseplants grown for their attractive foliage or flowers. Use pruning shears or sharp scissors to cut the main stem of the begonia back to a length of 4 inches (10 cm). Carry out this practice any time during spring or early summer when your begonia is in its active growth cycle. You can also pinch off a few of the largest healthy stems to help the rest of the plant grow more evenly. 3 Store tuberous begonias over the winter. The seeds are tiny – like particles of dust – and have a very long germination period. You can also pinch off the young flower buds of tuberous begonias. Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Deadhead flowers as they expire to keep the plant looking fresh, either by picking the flowers off by hand or clipping the stem just below the flower. Use liquid fertilizer weekly at quarter strength or biweekly at half strengt… https://www.chicagobotanic.org/plantinfo/begonias_angel_wing, http://homeguides.sfgate.com/trim-begonias-64007.html, https://newengland.com/today/living/gardening/how-to-prune-houseplants/, https://www.doityourself.com/stry/pruning-a-begonia, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. Wax Begonia and Candelaria pruning is done as follows: Wax Begonia pruning: Cut back the foliage when the plants die back naturally . The Right Time to Prune During the growing period, it’s only necessary to prune begonias if they start to become overgrown or to encourage new and more bushy (as opposed to tree-like) growth. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 39,292 times. Cut the stems off at 45-degree angles to help them grow back. Answered by shelley on May 8, 2015 Certified Expert . Remove any diseased plant parts promptly, following the same procedure, and disinfect the pruners after cutting diseased plant material. The wax begonia is a very popular plant because they are typically very easy to care for, but they still need to have special attention before winter hits so that they can survive the cold. This is because it is easy to grow and care for. Pruning helps to grow the plant with a faster rate. This step is particularly important if you have perennial begonias, which come back year after year. The group contains some of the hardiest members of the 1800+ army of Begonia species. In zones 8 and 9, you can dig up tubers from tuberous begonias such as "Go Go Yellow" (Begonia "Go Go Yellow) and store them in a bag of moist peat moss in a cool, dry place. % of people told us that this article helped them. Planting and care are major factors ensuring better growth and flowering for the plant. Shrimp begonia (B. limmingheiana), for example, is commonly grown in pots and may require trimming if stems hang too low. It needs full sun and dry conditions. If you're growing your begonias as a perennial, they need more pruning. The cheerful Wax Begonia (Begonia x semperflorens-cultorum) has been popular since the Victorian era. Begonias make a great addition to the shaded areas of your garden or your house, but they need to be pruned to control their spread, keep their foliage thick and avoid an overgrown look. Additionally, begonias grown as annuals often don't have time to grow too tall before dying back to the ground. It never stops flowering and lasts one season. This will protect the begonia during the winter. This diverts energy toward the production of new flowers for an extended blooming period. The reasons for this heavy use are obviousthey're a durable, ever-blooming plant that provides sweeping color in single or double blooms. Some, but not all varieties are fragrant as well. Replant the stored tubers at the beginning of spring to enjoy new begonia plants. This type of begonia grows to a height between 6 and 12 inches with a width spanning between 18 and 24 inches. Wax begonia (Begonia Semperflorens) are very popular because of their blooming ability, durability and good looks. Plant in free-draining soil in a … Her work has been published in the San Francisco Chronicle and on other websites. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. The advice given here will help guide you to growing success. Wax begonia can be very tricky to grow from seed. Cut tall, leggy stems or long, trailing stems back to keep a uniform shape throughout the begonia plant. Most begonias grow naturally in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 through 11; common species such as wax begonia (B. semperflorens), available at most garden retailers, are widely grown as annuals in colder climates. Don’t prune more than 1/3 of a begonia at any 1 time as this stresses the plant, which may kill it. If you have tuberous begonias (such as the Go Go Yellow variety) and are growing them outside, dig up the bulbs after you have cut them back. Only cut off the tops of the few tallest stems. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. Wax Begonia and Candelaria Pruning. 2 Cut … Most variegated plants have white markings on green leaves, but the Charm variety of begonia has vivid yellow splotches on bright green leaves, giving it a psychedelic effect. If your begonias start to get overgrown, cut up to a third of the stems at a time to thin them out. Growing from seed also requires careful attention to lighting and temperature requirements, and use of very particular soil. Thin out as much as one-third of the total stems from compact, bushy begonias if the plant becomes too crowded and overgrown. Common varieties of begonia include tuberous, cane, semper florens, rex and winter-flowering begonias. Tuberous begonia s should be pruned or cut back in the late fall before the … Home > Begonian > Volume 43 (February 1976, pages 485 - 488). Use clean, sharp shears or a knife to cut the stems back to a leaf node. 5 Water the plant so that only the top half of the soil stays moist. For more tips from our Gardening co-author, including how to propagate begonia cuttings, read on! © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Don’t cut the tips off all of the stems as this may damage the plant. ‘Charm’ is a particularly pretty variety, ... Begonias need regular care, including food, water, and some pruning to keep them looking their best and healthy enough to fight off disease. This small-growing ‘bright as a button’, old-fashioned wax begonia (Begonia semperflorens) is making a little comeback as a hardy bedding plant for borders and pots. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Your support helps wikiHow to create more in-depth illustrated articles and videos and to share our trusted brand of instructional content with millions of people all over the world. includes about 1,000 species of semi-tropical and tropical plants, ranging in size from short, compact plants to cane-like plants that grow several feet tall. The genus begonia (Begonia spp.) Remove a new leaf as it forms, allow the plant to branch out and grow, and pinch another new tip to force branching again. Begonia ‘Dragon Wing Red’ falls between the cracks: it behaves and is used like a wax begonia, but has leaves like an angel wing begonia. Most common begonias are succulents that perform well in low-moisture environments and require relatively little pruning, especially when trained properly at planting time. This will make the plant produce additional blooms. Wax begonias are gorgeous plants that you can grow in your garden or your home. Cut the stems back to a leaf node using clean, sharp sterilized pruning shears or a knife. Flower color can be white, pink or red and some varieties even have double blooms. Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. Wax … Wax Begonia (Begonia Semperflorens) Plant Care Guide Read More » Beds and borders, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Hanging baskets, Underplanting. How can I keep my plant to a bushy shrub like appearance? If you have winter-flowering begonias, cut them back in the spring after they have finished flowering. Select each stem carefully to maintain a uniform shape throughout the plant. Watering is one As such, there are lots of colors to choose from including pink, yellow and white. Pinch off new stems when the newly-planted cane begonia is about 6 inches (15 cm) tall. By using our site, you agree to our. This helps the plant concentrate its energy, which is reduced during the winter, on the healthier stems, leaves, and blooms. A former cake decorator and competitive horticulturist, Amelia Allonsy is most at home in the kitchen or with her hands in the dirt. Most begonias like moist soils and dappled shade. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Cut back to just above a healthy leaf set to conceal the cut or cut the stem back to the parent stem if an entire branch is dead. You can prune your begonias severely both above and below the soil line. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. How to Care for an Escargot Begonia Plant, North Dakota State University Extension: Questions On: Begonia, North Carolina State University Extension: Begonia Semperflorens, Clemson Cooperative Extension: Growing Begonias Indoors, University of Minnesota Department of Horticulture: Tuberous Begonias, American Begonia Society: Tips for September. Pinch back new leaves from the tips of each stem to promote full, bushy growth in favor of tall, leggy growth. Foliage may be green, red, bronze, variegated or white, depending on variety. Winter-flowering begonias bloom from late autumn to mid-spring. Fertilizer. These begonias are usually produced by seeds and treated as annuals, but you can also multiply them by division or stem cuttings. Name – Begonia Family – Begoniaceae Type – annual, tuber or perennial. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. Wondering what are the properties of Wisteria and Wax Begonia? Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. References. Wax begonia tolerate more shade than tuberous begonia. Cut the stems back to the ground after the foliage begins to die back at the advent of cold weather. My few questions are; Is this the proper time of year to prune?, There are six or seven stems coming from the pot and all the leaf growth is at the very top and I see no leaf nodes on the stems to guide my pruning. I have several stalks that just grow straight up to five feet. Cut or pinch off any dead leaves or stems as they occur to maintain the appearance of the begonias. Throughout the growing season, regularly check your begonias for any discolored leaves and stems, and remove them with shears or scissors. Begonia venosa is a species from the South American desert. If a lot of your begonias’ leaves go brown, it may be a sign that you need to thin out the foliage to allow the plant to grow properly. Perennial begonias come in many varieties, from wax begonias to tuberous root begonias. A. Always make your pruning cuts above a leaf or flower node. Make sure to remove the dead leaves and stems from the floor immediately as they may spread disease into the healthy plant. For proper watering, first find the type of soil and type of soil drainage favorable for the plant. Choose the longest begonia stem and notice there is a bump, or node, where a leaf or flower will grow. Cutting back wax begonia. You can grow many of the varieties outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 9 and 10, but you can grow them as annuals or indoors in colder climates. We provide you with everything By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Begonia offers magnificent blooming, abundant and spectacular.. Key Begonia facts. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. This step is particularly important if you have cane begonias, such as Angel Wings. Begonia Semperflorens-Cultorum Group (Begonia Semperflorens-Cultorum Group) will reach a height of 0.2m and a spread of 0.2m after 1-2 years.. Upright, cane stem begonias, such as "Angel Wing" begonias (Begonia "Angel Wing") tend to grow much taller than compact, bushy wax begonias, so they are more likely to require this type of pruning. This will make the plant produce two branching stems, rather than a single stem growing straight up. Pluck off brown, wilted, and dry blooms and leaves with your fingers, and use pruners to snip off stems that look similarly lifeless. Common name: Bedding begonia Botanic name: Begonia x semperflorens-cultorum. 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