How to Grow, Propagate and Care for Wax Begonias

Begonia Semperflorens

Wax Begonias area unit fibrous frozen, mound forming, tender perennial plants that area unit most frequently full-grown as annual bedding plants.
Dwarf sorts of begonia grow from 6"-8" tall. Tall varieties grow from 10"-12" tall.
They have succulent stems and waxy, deep inexperienced to dark mahogany coloured foliage, and that they manufacture loose clusters of single or double, white, pink or red flowers from might till October.
Wax Begonias is full-grown within the garden, in planters, or as a house plant, if their cultural necessities area unit met.

Growing Requirements for Wax Begonia Plants

Wax Begonias area unit solely hardy in Agriculture zones September 11, elsewhere they're big as annual plants or inside.
They should be planted in wealthy, well-drained garden soil that has been ready by adding
generous amounts of compost or alternative organic relate facilitate retain wet.
Depending on the range, they'll be big fully sun to shade,
but most cultivars can grow o.k. in partial shade.
Bronze leafed varieties area unit additional tolerant of full sun.
Other sorts are developed that thrive fully shade also.
Wax Begonias can tolerate short periods of drought, except for the most effective results
you should water often and completely, keeping the soil equally wet.
Container big plants may be crop within the fall and overwintered inside in a very cool location.

Growing Wax Begonias as House Plants

With correct care, your Begonia semperflorens can live and bloom for 4-5 years once full-grown as a house plant.
Indoors, Wax Begonias grow best in bright indirect daylight returning from a south, east or west window.
Fluorescent grow light-weights are a wonderful various to natural light for these plants.
They should be planted in an exceedingly porous, slightly acidic planting combine that contains some sphagnum and mold.
African Violet potting mixes work well for Begonias.
Allow the soil to dry before watering, then water completely. Overwatering will cause root rot!
Always use temperature water once watering house plants.
Feed actively growing plants monthly with a decent, general-purpose fertiliser.
Wax Begonia plants thrive with daytime temperatures of 70°-75° and 60°-65° at nighttime.
Begonias fancy a damp surroundings and appreciate periodic mistings.
Provide extra wetness by setting the plants on shallow trays stuffed with moistened pebbles,
especially throughout the winter months.
Pinch back leggy growth to take care of a compact kind and induce branching.

Propagating Begonia semperflorens Plants and Growing then from Seed

Wax Begonias ar terribly simple to propagate with 3"-4" tip cuttings taken from a mature plant and affected 2" deep in growing medium, once removing the lower leaves.
Place the cuttings wherever they'll receive light-weight sun or bright light-weight and keep the growing medium dampish whereas the roots ar developing.

Begonia has extraordinarily little seeds that need light-weight for germination,
so don't cowl them!
Start seeds inside twelve weeks before your last killing frost date.
Maintain a temperature of 70°-75° at intervals the growing medium till germination, that takes 15-20 days.
Set plants within the garden once last frost date, spacing dwarf varieties 8" apart and tall varieties at 12".