BEGONIA

The Begonias are of African origin and were first introduced by the British.

They have adapted to the Indian climate and are very comfortable both in the Southern as well as the Northern region.

Growing Habits:

The Begonias grow best is mellow sandy loam enriched with clean leaf-mould, and in the pots that are well drained. They do not like stagnant moisture. They grow fast and require rather liberal pot-room, but it is good practice to keep the plants in the smallest pots consistent with healthy growth and free development. If by chance you grow them in large pots which provide more pot-room than the roots can fill in a reasonable space of time, it will result in souring of the soil and an arrest of growth altogether. They must be shifted on as necessary requirement, and only the robust plants must be grown larger pots and the weak ones kept in small pots. The soil must always be rather light.

The Begonias grown by most of the gardeners are as under:

Common name: Wax Begonia, Fibrous Begonia, bedding begonia, perpetual begonia. Wax Begonaias are a group of cultivars developed from hybridization of several species, especially B. cucullata and B. schmidtiana.
Botanical name: Begonia x semperflorens-cultorum   

Family: Begoniaceae (Begonia family)

Wax Begonia are tough little compact garden plants, growing barely a foot high. However, they provide almost continuous color in full sun or partial shade locations for many months, and can easily be grown as a houseplant. The single or double flowers are available in various shades of red, pink, or white, and the shiny, large, succulent leaves are either green, variegated, or bronze-colored.

The beautiful coloration of the leaf attracts many people to grow Wax Begonia. The bronze-leaved begonias are better suited to full sun locations and plants will flower from spring onwards. These kinds are seen more often in the warmer regions of India.

Planting Tips:

The Plant should be planted 30-35 cm apart in a bed to form a solid mass of color. If desired, plants can be dug up and at the rate of one plant in 25 cm pots, and they will continue to bloom indoors.

 

There are a few more special Begonis which can also be grown in the garden. These are:

Common name: Hanging Basket Red Begonia
Botanical name: Begonia 'Red Cascade'   

Family: Begoniaceae (Begonia family)

 

Hanging Basket Red Begonia is a stunningly attractive cultivar of Begonia with fully double, pendulous flowers. This begonia displays graceful angel-wing shaped leaves and blooms profusely. The mature plant is about 30 cm tall with a cascading form. They commence blooming from mid summer and some times last till the beginning of the monsoons.

Soil Type:

They grow best in well drained soil type.

Common name: Begonia Fair Lady
Botanical name: Begonia sempeflorens   

Family: Begoniaceae (begonia family)

These Begonias are normally grown as Bedding begonias. They  are neat, compact plants that prefer shade but will adapt to full sun. They require protection from frost.

Soil Type:

Theses Begonis grow best in moist, well-drained soil. Watering needs:

They need regular watering in dry weather, especially if planted in a sunny locations. Begonias will last a second season, and can be cut back after winter.

Common name: Ruffled Yellow Begonia family)
Botanical name: Begonia tuberosa 'Ruffled Yellow'   

Family: Begoniaceae (Begonia f

Ruffled Yellow Begonia is a cultivaer of Begonia with vivid, large, fully-double flowers. The flowers provide a strong contrast with deep green leaves for an eye-catching display. The Flowers are large, measuring 5-10 cm and yellow in colour. The commence blooming  from mid summer the beginning  of monsoon season.

Common name: Konkan Begonia • Marathi: Gajkarnika
Botanical name: Begonia concanensis   

Family: Begoniaceae

These Begonias of family Konkan Begonia is an annual herb characterized by rosy flowers. The plant has tuberous roots and grows up to 25-50 cm tall. Ovate leaves, 5-15 cm long, have heart-shaped bases and serrated margin, and are covered with short, thick hairs. The leaves are pink and hairless on the underside. Lower leaves can have stalks up to 15 cm long, while the upper ones have up to 6 cm long, pink, watery stalks. Flowers are 2-3 cm across, pink, carried on stalks. Male flowers have 2 pinkish white sepals and 2 rosy pink petals. There numerous stamens with yellow anthers, clustered in the center. Female flowers have 5 rosy pink tepals. Flowering: August-September.

Common name: Frilly bergenia, Hairy bergenia, Winter begonia
Botanical name: Bergenia ciliata   

Family: Saxifragaceae (Saxifrages family)

These Begonias are deciduous perennial with 30 cm round hairy leaves with undulating edges. The stems are 12 cm long. The flowers are 15 cm and Pale pink in colour, flushed with rose in spring and summer. The large, fuzzy leaves, 30 cm wide, feel like African violet foliage. The prefer a sunny location but can be grown in semi shade locations.

 

Soil Type:

Prefers a good fertile soil but tolerates heavy clay soils.

Common name:Tuberous Begonias (B. x tuberhybrida):

Tuberous begonias grow best in partial shade. The plants need frequent watering and light fertilization, but excess of either causes flower bud drop. Tuberous begonias will grow best in cool locations. They do poorly in very hot and humid locations.

Tuberous begonias have 2-to 4-inch wide flowers in white, yellow, orange, rose, red and pink. They are available either in upright varieties or with trailing stems 12 to 18 inches long. The trailing types are nice to plant in hanging baskets.

Remove the first flower buds that appear so that the strength goes into the young plant. Remove the single female flowers before seed forms to keep the plant blooming. The female flowers are smaller and are on either side of the showy, double male flowers.

Tuberous begonias must be dug up and replanted each year because they will not survive winter cold. Dig tubers before frost. Cut tops back to within a couple inches of the tubers. After drying, pack the tubers in cardboard boxes between layers of vermiculite, peat moss, or wood shavings and store at 10 to 15 °C.

Start tuberous begonias in early spring by setting tubers into shallow flats. Keep out of direct sunlight. When the roots are established and shoots are about 1 or 2 inches high, move them to pots 4 to 6 inches wide.