Begonia Care
Begonias are beautiful and easy to care for once you get the hang of it. While there are several types and groups of begonias, you can be sure that your garden will be better off no matter which kind you choose.
To be sure your begonias will do well; you should know the basics of how to care for begonias. With the right care, your begonias will grow with a flourish that will make any gardener happy. This is a simple guide for you to get started.
Soil for begonias
The best kind of soil to grow begonias is a more acidic soil. This means it has a lower pH level. Also, people may find that they prefer the use of mixed soil for their begonias. A good example of this is a mixture of heavy soil, manure, and peat moss. Light soil mediums such as sand are also acceptable to mix into your begonia’s soil.
Take your time to experiment with your soil to find out what type is best for you and your begonias. Remember to take your environment conditions into consideration when choosing the best soil type.
Watering
Your begonia roots must never be dry. Because of this, make sure to keep your begonias watered and mulched. However, you should never overwater your plants. Keeping begonias moist is most preferable. Find out how much water your begonias need and what watering increments are best in your situation.
You may also want to use fertilizer, but not very often. This will keep your plants healthy and alive longer if done properly. If you want larger leaves on your begonias, fertilizer is the way to go. For best results use a time-release fertilizer like Classicote from J.R. Peters.
Lighting
Begonias require some shading, so make sure that you don’t plant them in an area that gets direct sunlight all the time. If begonias get too much sun, the leaves may appear too thin. However, if begonias get too little sun, they get to spindly. Moderate lighting is the best setting in which most begonias thrive best.
Temperature
Begonias are a plant with origins from the tropics, but they are also highly adaptable. Most begonias grow their best in temperatures of cool to moderate settings. There are some types of begonias that can thrive in cold weather conditions; however, frost is the worst thing for begonias.
Pest Control
Although they are relatively pest free, you may have problems with insects if it isn’t treated the right way. There are several insects that love begonias, but watch out for the caterpillars. Caterpillars are very fond of begonias, especially their leaves. If you’re not careful, they can damage your plants, but with the right repellent, it will keep the insects away from your begonias.
Grooming
Trimming dead or yellowing leaves is a must when grooming and caring for your begonias. Flowers that are no longer alive and healthy will usually wash off when watered out in the flower bed. If you have potted begonias, you may want to remove old blooms to keep them looking tidy.