![]() ![]() This is a great plant for gardeners on a budget, because the cuttings root so easily! You can start plants on a sunny windowsill in the fall and winter. Wax begonias can be grown from seed, but are most easily increased by cuttings. The genus Begonia is unusual because all 1500+ species can be hybridized with one another, even those that originated on different continents. Set plants out in spring after the last frost date. ![]() They will tolerate cooler and warmer temperatures, but they cannot tolerate frost. These begonias are at their best when daytime temperatures are between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Frequent pinching results in fuller plants and heavier bloom. Regular fertilizing will encourage all-summer bloom. The soil should be kept evenly moist for the best flower production, but the plants will tolerate dryness once they are established. They are not fussy about soil pH, but they do need good drainage. Their tolerance for shade makes them suitable for use as houseplants as well as in the garden. Most varieties can tolerate heavy shade, and a few varieties have been developed to do well in full sun. Wax-leaf begonias prefer dappled or bright shade. The genus was named in honor of Michel Bégon (1638-1710), a French amateur botanist who collected begonias from while he was stationed in Santo Domingo with the French navy. The common name, wax begonia, refers to the waxy sheen of the leaves. It’s quite easy to keep begonias over the winter, but different types need a little different attention: Fibrous-Rooted Begonias: These include the semperflorens (or wax begonias), cane-like begonias, dragon-wing, and other varieties. The genus Begonia is unusual because all 1500+ species can be hybridized with one another, even those that originated on different continents.īegonia semperflorens-cultorum was named for its long bloom period, from semperflorens, meaning 'everblooming'. The differences in begonia types really becomes important if you decide to grow them year-round. This group probably originated from a cross between Begonia cucullata var Hookeri and Begonia schmidtiana. How to Deter Rabbits With Plants and Other RepellentsĪ group of hybrid cultivars, Begonia x semperfloren-cultorum, is the most widely planted.It has been popular in gardens since the Victorian era, and it is one of the most common plants in commercial cultivation today. In cooler climates, it is grown as an annual. In tropical or subtropical climates, the wax begonia is a perennial plant that can grow to the size of a small shrub. ![]()
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