How do you care for begonias in the winter UK?
How do you care for begonias in the winter UK?
Overwintering Begonias is easy:
- Dig up the entire plant with foliage still attached before the hard frosts set in.
- With a sharp knife, cut away any diseased parts of the tuber.
- Leave it to dry in a frost-free and sunny place for 1 week.
- Remove the foliage by gently teasing the stems from the tuber.
Do begonias do well outside?
Begonias grown outside will be sensitive to spring cold snaps, so be careful that you don’t plant them outside too early. Ideally, begonias will grow best if they aren’t exposed to overnight temperatures below 60 degrees.
Can begonias be in direct sunlight?
Most begonias grow best in part shade (4 to 6 hours of direct morning sun a day), or filtered sun (as through trees). Most will tolerate full shade (no direct or filtered sun), but won’t be as dense and usually have fewer flowers. A few grow in full sun. They prefer moist, but not soggy, soils.
How do I look after begonias UK?
Grow begonias in peat-free, multi-purpose compost in dappled sunshine to partial shade. Plant tubers of tuberous begonias in spring. Only plant begonias outside in May, when no more frosts are forecast. Water regularly and feed weekly with a high potash fertiliser like tomato feed.
Can I leave begonias in pots over winter UK?
Tuberous begonias should be dug up and stored indoors during winter until the return of warmer weather in spring. Begonias can be dug up in fall once foliage has faded or just after the first light frost. Pot-grown begonia plants can be stored in their containers as long as they remain dry.
Can you leave begonias in their pots over winter?
Yes, you can overwinter begonias in pots. Fibrous types can be kept as a houseplant, while tuberous varieties should be stored dormant in a cool, dark location. What is this? Overwintering begonias is easy, and it’s a great way to save your favorite varieties every year.
Do begonias like sun or shade?
They do best in situations with shade or morning sun/afternoon shade. Most varieties have flowers that hang down a little, making tuberous begonias ideal for hanging baskets and window boxes rather than garden beds and borders. No matter where you grow them, make sure they have good drainage to prevent rot.
How do you care for potted begonias outside?
Outdoors, rex begonias like part- to deep shade, ordinary potting soil, and water when the top inch or so of the soil is dry. Give them a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month, or add granular timed-release fertilizer to the potting soil at planting time. Avoid misting the leaves; alkaline water just desiccates them.
Do begonias need shade?
Can begonias tolerate afternoon sun?
Begonias do best when they get this sunlight in the morning and late afternoon, with shelter from the most intense mid-day sunlight. The bronze-leaved wax begonias are the begonia varieties most likely to thrive in hot sunlight without afternoon shade.
How do you take care of tuberous begonias?
Keep plants well watered but allow the soil to dry out between waterings – this is especially important for tuberous begonias, which can rot in waterlogged soil. Feed tuberous begonias weekly with tomato feed in summer, especially pot-grown plants. Alternatively, add a slow-release fertiliser pellet to the compost when planting.
How do you plant begonias in the UK?
They can be grown in containers and window boxes or as bedding at the front of a shady border. They are usually treated as annuals and discarded at the end of the season. Hardy begonias can be left in the ground in winter in sheltered, warm locations. The most common type found in the UK is Begonia grandis subsp. evansiana.
Do you cut back begonias to make them bloom again?
Doing this will ensure that the healthy parts of the plant are free to keep growing. Cut back your begonias. Cut back bedding or fibrous begonias to 3”(7.6 cm) every 4 months in mild climates where there is no frost to renew the plants. This will ensure that they continue to grow and remain healthy.
What happens if you plant begonias in too much soil?
A pot that is too large can lead to using too much soil. When a pot contains too much soil, it can lead to soggy soil that could potentially ‘drown’ your plant roots and kill your begonia. Some people also grow begonias in wet stones or small pebbles as a top medium.