Yes, begonias can be successfully transplanted so long as a few basic guidelines are followed. First, it’s important to note that mature plants will be more difficult to transplant than younger plants, so if you’re considering transplanting an older begonia, try and do so when the plant is in an active growing stage.
The roots of begonias don’t grow large and expansive, so they do best when transplanted in a shallow root-zone. When transplanting, gently remove the begonia from its pot, and shake off as much of the existing soil as possible, as begonias don’t appreciate having old soil mixed in with fresh.
When planting, use a mixture of well-draining soil and some local compost, and avoid packing the soil in too tightly. Finally, when you’ve finished planting, give your begonia a thorough watering, and then avoid watering it again until it’s settled and the surface of the soil is dry.
In this way, your begonia should transplant successfully, and with a bit of careful attention and love, you should have a thriving plant in no time.
How do you transplant potted begonias?
Transplanting potted begonias is a relatively easy task to accomplish in a home setting. Here are the steps for transplanting potted begonias:
1. Begin by preparing the new pot for the transplant. If the pot already has soil in it, you can use it. However, if the pot has no soil, fill it with a suitable soil mix applicable for potted plants.
2. The next step is to carefully remove the begonia from its current pot. Place one hand on the top of the pot and the other hand underneath. Gently wiggle the pot while using upward pressure with the hand underneath to slowly lift the begonia out with its root ball intact.
3. Once the begonia is out of the current pot, you will want to lightly loosen the roots and add some of the new soil to the root ball while doing so. This will help ensure the Begonia has plenty of dirt around the roots to help it adjust to its new pot.
4. Now in its new pot, add some of the soil mix to the base, about halfway up. Then carefully place the begonia in the centre of the new pot. Fill the rest of the pot with the soil mix, lightly pressing around the edges so that the soil is securely in place.
5. Once the soil is in place, give the begonia a light watering and make sure it is in a warm, sunny area.
And that’s it! Transplanting potted begonias is a relatively easy task to complete in the comfort of your own home. With the right steps and proper care, your begonia should adjust to its new pot and flourish for many years to come.
Can I leave my begonias in pots over winter?
Yes, you can leave your begonias in pots over winter. However, to ensure they survive, the pots must be moved into a protected spot where the temperature stays consistently above freezing, such as a sunroom or greenhouse.
Keep in mind that begonias are tropical plants and do not fare well in cold temperatures.
You should also remove the spent flowers and leaves from the begonia in preparation for winter, and water it sparingly. When the soil is dry for approximately one inch below the surface, you can give it a quick drink.
If your pot has drainage holes, make sure to dump out any excess water that accumulates in the saucer so that the begonia isn’t consistently left in standing water. It’s also a good idea to cover the soil with mulch to help the soil retain moisture in the winter months.
Lastly, make sure to give it enough light. Begonias tend to need bright, diffused light which will ensure it stays healthy and survives the winter.
How do I save begonias for next year?
Saving begonias for next year does require a bit of effort, but it’s worth it for the beauty they bring to your garden! To save your begonias for next year, you’ll need to take them indoors and begin the process of digging up the entire collar of soil and roots.
Cut the stems just above the ground and store the pot, soil, and roots in a warm, dry place.
In the fall, pot your begonias and store them in an area with a temperature of no less than 55℉ and no more than 75℉. You’ll also want to make sure your begonias are receiving bright and indirect sunlight.
Water your begonias sparingly.
In the spring, prepare your begonias for planting. Soak the root ball in room temperature water for about 12 hours, then gently remove them from the pot and divide them into multiple sections to replant.
Plant your begonias in rich, well draining soil in an area of your garden receiving plenty of sun and water them regularly.
With proper care, you can enjoy your begonias year after year!
Should begonias be cut back?
Begonias should be cut back for several reasons. It helps the plant maintain its appearance from years to come. Pruning back helps to reduce pests and diseases, increase air circulation, promote new growth, and make the plant look neater and more attractive.
Pruning back old woody stems and foliage can help the plant stay healthy, invigorate blooming, and keep it vibrant. It also helps to train plants, promoting strong hanging stems and healthy growth habits.
Cut Backing, which is the removal of dead, diseased, damaged and overcrowded stems, encourages the bushier and longer-lasting growth of the Begonia.
What is the potting soil for begonias?
When choosing the right potting soil for begonias, it is important to look for a soil that is light and well-draining. This is because begonias do not like to sit in soggy soil and their roots are very sensitive and need to be able to breathe.
While begonias will tolerate most kinds of soil, it is always best to use a soil blend that is specifically formulated for begonias. Such blends often contain components such as peat moss, coco coir, perlite, or vermiculite to make sure that the soil has the right drainage and air properties for the plant.
It is also important that the soil blend is well amended with organic matter and fertilizers to provide the right mix of nutrients that the plant needs to thrive.
What kind of soil does begonias like?
Begonias prefer an acidic, nutrient-rich soil with a pH of between 5.5 and 6.5. You should use a well-draining, moist soil with a high organic matter content. A good blend would include amended topsoil or potting soil with peat moss and perlite.
Ensure the potting mix is evenly moist but not wet, as begonias can be sensitive to overwatering. If it is too compact, mix in some sand or gravel to provide more room for the water to drain away from the roots.
Finally, fertilize your begonias about once a month with a fertilizer that is balanced for acid loving plants, such as a 10-10-10 fertilizer.
When should begonia tubers be repotted?
Begonia tubers should be repotted in the late winter or early spring, just before new growth begins. Wait until you start to see signs of new growth emerging from the tuber before moving it, typically in late February or March depending on your region and climate.
You will also want to be sure that the soil and container are thoroughly cleaned before repotting. This is because begonia tubers are very prone to fungal and bacterial rot and need to be kept in clean, disease-free soil.
When repotting, carefully remove the tuber from its old pot and add fresh, sterile potting mix to a clean, new container. Place the tuber in the center and cover with more fresh potting mix. Be sure to water the tuber thoroughly before and after repotting.
Can begonias be rooted in water?
Yes, begonias can be rooted in water. To do this, you should take a stem cutting from your begonia plant and remove any leaves that are below the water level in the vessel. Then place the stem in water, making sure that it’s stable, and make sure to change the water at least once every three days.
After about a week, roots will begin to appear. When the roots are about 1” long, you can pot up the cutting in damp soil and fertilize as needed. It’s important to acclimate the cutting to the soil before exposing it to full sunlight or it may suffer from sunburn.
Begonias rooted in water may take several weeks to adjust to the transition and not all cuttings survive.
Can you put begonia cuttings in water?
Yes, you can put begonia cuttings in water. It is easy to propagate begonias from stem cuttings, and one of the simplest ways to do this is to place the cuttings in a glass or jar of water. To do this, choose healthy stems that have several sets of leaves on them, then cut them just below a node or joint where a leaf is attached.
After snipping the stems, place them in plain water and be sure to change the water every few days. The cuttings should form roots within a month or two, at which point you can transplant them into soil.
Be sure the pot that you place them in has good drainage and is composed of soil that is light and airy to promote root growth.
Where do you cut begonias to propagate?
When propagating begonias, it is best to take cuttings from growth that is not in bloom. This ensures you get lots of healthy stems and leaves. You should cut stems that are healthy, not too soft and not too woody, so that the cutting has a good chance of taking root and growing into a healthy plant.
Make sure the cutting is several inches long and has several nodes (where the leaves meet the stem) and at least two sets of leaves. Make the cut just below a node, at a 45 degree angle. Dip the stem cutting into a liquid stem rooting hormone and insert it into a well-draining, sterile potting medium.
Keep the potting medium consistently moist until roots start to form. Once roots have formed, then the begonia can be moved to a larger pot in regular garden soil.
How do I tell what kind of begonia I have?
So there are a few different methods you can use to identify the begonia you have. The first step is to observe the type of leaves it has. Begonias can have either pointed, oval-shaped, or paddle-shaped leaves.
The leaves may also be either scalloped, creased, or smooth. Additionally, you should look at the color of the leaves and their veining. The veins will either be light or dark, and the leaves may have a marbled pattern or a solid color.
You should also inspect the stems of the begonia—they should be thick and fleshy and range from green to purplish-red in color.
Next, you should look at the flowers of your begonia for further identification. Some begonia varieties will produce small or no flowers, others will produce large blooms. These blooms can be either single or double, and they may come in shades of pink, white, red, yellow, or orange.
Lastly, you should research the different begonia varieties and narrow down your options based on the characteristics you have observed. A quick online search should be able to help you find out more information about the type of begonia you have.
What does a begonia tuber look like?
A begonia tuber looks like a small fleshy root, with a bumpy and fibrous outer skin. Depending on the variety of begonia, the tuber may be small and round or long and spindle shaped. The tuber may have a few eyes—the dormant, dormant buds found on the root—though not all grow from eyes.
The tuber is usually light in color and may have a small amount of reddish-brown to purple in spots. The tuber root grows more as it matures and should be planted at least 4 inches deep in the soil for germination.
Can you use orchid mix for begonias?
No, it’s not recommended to use orchid mix for begonias. Orchid mix is formulated for orchids, which require unique and specific growing conditions, specifically related to moisture, air flow and dampness levels.
Begonias require different conditions, so a nutrient-rich potting soil made for general houseplants would be a better option for them. Additionally, orchid mix can contain chemicals and fertilizers that are too strong for begonias and could lead to root burn or other types of damage.
Therefore, it is best to stick with potting soil when growing begonias.
How can you tell if a begonia is tuberous?
The most obvious being its large, swollen, underground stems or “tubers. ” They may be visible depending on the type of begonia, with some species such as the dragon wing begonia having tubers that protrude just above the soil line.
Additionally, tuberous begonias will usually produce large and more abundant blooms with bigger flowers that other begonia varieties. Foliage on tuberous begonias also tends to be more robust and waxy.
In order to help identify tuberous varieties, you can look for symmetrical rose-like flowers with winged leaves, which are both common characteristics of tuberous begonias. Lastly, tuberous begonias tend to bloom for a longer period of time in comparison to other begonias, usually from early summer all the way through to the first frost.
With these tell-tale signs in mind, you should be able to tell if a begonia is tuberous.
Is Miracle Grow good for begonias?
Yes, Miracle Grow is a great fertilizer for begonias. Begonias thrive in slightly acidic soil that is rich in nutrients, and Miracle Grow helps provide just that. It is a balanced, slow-release fertilizer that delivers just the right amount of nutrients to your begonias over several months, which helps encourage strong and healthy growth.
However, as with any fertilizer, be sure to follow the instructions on the label to ensure that you are not over-fertilizing your begonias. Too much fertilizer can actually end up harming your plants and can saturate the soil, which can cause your begonias to suffer from too much water and can even lead to root rot.
Ultimately, Miracle Grow is a great option for providing nourishment to your begonias, and will help keep them healthy and growing strong.
When should I repot tuberous begonias?
Tuberous begonias should be repotted after the period of dormancy, usually in late spring or early summer prior to new growth. The plant will typically require more frequent repotting than other plants, as it has a tendency to quickly exhaust all the nutrients in the soil.
Preparing the new pot with fresh potting soil is important for the health of the begonia. Prior to repotting, you should gently remove the existing soil from the roots and remove any dead or dying tubers from the soil.
Add a small amount of balanced fertilizer to the new potting mix and then replant the tuberous begonia in the larger pot. If necessary, add additional potting soil to bring the level of the new potting mix just below the rim of the pot.
After the repotting process is complete, you should water the tuberous begonia thoroughly and then allow it to establish in the new environment.
