How Do Begonia Young Plants Differ From Mature Begonias?
How Do Begonia Young Plants Differ From Mature Begonias?
Begonias are easy to grow as long as you give them the right care. But like most tropical plants, they’re fussy about water and humidity, which can be a challenge for many gardeners.
Tuberous begonias are grown from fleshy, round tubers that produce big flowers in a variety of colors throughout summer and into autumn. They’re great for pots and hanging baskets as well as flower beds.
Young Plants
Most gardeners start their begonia plants from seeds, but they can also be propagated through stem and leaf cuttings. Both methods are simple, easy to perform and provide an inexpensive way to grow more begonias for your garden or home.
A broad range of begonia young plants can be grown outdoors in summer, while others are hardy enough to survive overwintering indoors. They’re a great addition to shady garden borders, patio gardens or containers, or in hanging baskets and window boxes.
If you’re planning on keeping a begonia in your garden for a long time, you may want to consider dividing the plant and replanting it into fresh soil. This will allow it to have more room to grow, and help you enjoy its full bloom potential for years to come.
When dividing begonias, separate them from the parent plant by carefully pulling out the old stems and leaving the new side plants intact. Plant the separated plants in fresh soil as soon as the weather permits.
Many begonias, particularly tuberous types, naturally go dormant in the fall and can be difficult to overwinter. However, you can prevent this by bringing them indoors and providing them with the proper lighting. Keep the soil of overwintering begonias damp but not saturated, and water them near the bottom to keep their leaves dry.
Most begonias are tolerant of some degree of drought, but they tend to like a high level of humidity. If you’re concerned about your begonias getting too dry, consider running a humidifier in the room or placing them on a pebble tray filled with water.
Begonia flowers can turn brown as they age, and this is completely normal. Regularly pinch out the brown/faded petals to encourage more flowers to develop.
During the winter, you should cut back begonias by about half or more to encourage growth in spring and summer. To keep them looking healthy, pinch out any new growth that appears in early summer and deadhead regularly to remove rotting old flowers.
Bedding begonias are popular for hanging baskets, pots and window boxes. They’re available in a wide variety of shades and foliage types, including some that have unusual leaf patterns or metallic markings.
Young Leaves
Young begonias often have a different appearance than mature begonias. They may have a more delicate shape or have leaves that are shorter and thinner than the ones on mature plants. They may also have a darker green or bronze color than their mature counterparts.
These differences can make it difficult to distinguish the young begonia from the older plant. They also can cause problems if they are not taken care of properly.
First, you should check the growing conditions. If the plant is getting too much sunlight, it may need to be moved indoors to get some shade. It should also be repositioned if it looks like the roots are starting to grow out of the soil.
The next thing to look at is the temperature. Most begonia varieties are very sensitive to extremes of temperature, and this can be a major cause for leaves turning brown. Fibrous and Rex varieties can take low temperatures down to 50degF (10degC), but cane-stemmed begonias are generally unable to survive below 55degF (13degC).
Another common problem for young begonias is excessive watering, which can lead to the leaves becoming soft and yellow and susceptible to bacteria. This issue can usually be solved by increasing the humidity of the air, or by allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Using a moisture meter can help you determine the right amount of water for the plant. You can also stick your finger in the soil to feel for moisture.
You can also expand your begonia collection by taking leaf cuttings. Some begonia varieties, such as Rex and angel wing begonias, can be grown from cuttings that are made by removing the leaf at its base and anchoring it to the potting mix surface with small wire pins.
This method can be a fun way to create a large selection of new begonias for your garden. The cuttings can be planted directly in the ground, and you can even plant them in a container.
It is also possible to grow Begonias from seeds, though this can be tricky because the seeds are so tiny. You can also use the seed method to create a collection of begonias that have different shapes or colors.
Young Flowers
There are many differences between young and mature begonias, mainly in the form and color of their flowers. There are also different types of begonias based on their method of propagation and leaf shape. Some are grown for their foliage only, while others flower and don’t produce leaves at all.
The flowers of tuberous begonias are usually bright in color and bloom throughout summer. They thrive in shady areas and are used as container plants, hanging baskets, or bedding plants.
Most begonias have a variety of colors to choose from including solid, bicolor, and picotee flowers. The petals are edged in a contrasting color and may be frilly or ruffled. The shapes of the flowers are sometimes round, pear-shaped, elongated, or trumpet-shaped.
These flowers are often held up on tall stalks and can grow up to 8 inches long. They are also very showy and can be a wonderful addition to the garden.
In addition to the colorful flowers, tuberous begonias have attractive foliage that can include fern-like leaves or burgundy or bronze leaves with a light tan or silver tinge. Their waxy petals make them a great choice for containers, hanging baskets and flower beds.
Begonias can be grown from seeds or tubers and will come up well if the soil is warm and well drained. They are best started indoors in March or April. Then, plant them outside when the threat of frost has passed and the weather is warm enough to allow the plants to become established.
Another common way to propagate begonias is by stem cuttings. Typically, three to four evenly spaced stems will give you the best results. Stems can be cut with scissors or a sharp knife.
When cutting begonia stems, remove the growing tip and leave at least a few inches of the stem above the soil line to allow roots to develop. This is called a basal shoot, and will help the plant produce more leaves and flowers in the future.
After the stem has developed roots, pinch off the top of the growing tip to encourage the plant to put its energy into producing new flowers. This will help the plant produce more flowers and be more productive.
Mature Plants
When it comes to begonia plants, there are a number of differences that can occur between young and mature plants. The main differences are in how they grow and the types of flowers that they produce.
For example, the leaves of a young plant will not be as large or full as those of a mature plant. The flowers of a mature plant will also be much larger and more colorful.
In addition, the roots of a mature begonia will be thicker and longer than those of a young plant. The fleshy tubers of a mature begonia will store energy for the plant during the winter and can also help it grow faster in spring.
The flowers of a mature begonia can also be more colorful, with many begonias in this group being able to produce several different colors at once. The leaves of a mature begonia can also vary in color and shape.
Regardless of the type of begonia you have in your garden, it is important to remember that all begonias require a lot of water. While they are not overly fussy about the amount of water they receive, they do prefer consistent soil moisture throughout the growing season.
To get the best results from your begonias, you should amend the garden soil with a good quality compost and add 2 to 3 inches of organic mulch around the base of the plant. It is also a good idea to choose pots with glazed pottery or plastic containers, as these retain moisture better than unglazed terra cotta.
Another way to keep your begonias healthy is to deadhead spent flowers regularly to keep the foliage looking clean and tidy. You should also pinch the growing tips of each stem to encourage new growth and fuller blooms.
When it comes to begonias, you should also be aware that they are often susceptible to pests and diseases. For example, mealy bugs and aphids can attack begonia flowers as well as the leaves. In addition, mildew can occur if the leaves are left wet overnight or if the air isn’t humid enough.