Learn how to prune your begonias for full, healthy blooms with these tips!
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Pruning Begonias
Begonias are one of the most popular flowers that people love to have in their garden. They are known for their beautiful blooms and vibrant colors. however, many people do not know how to properly prune their begonias in order to achieve full, healthy blooms. In this article, we will go over the proper way to prune your begonias so that you can enjoy beautiful blooms all season long.
Pruning during the blooming season
Pruning during the blooming season can be done to shape the plant, remove spent flowers, or to thin out the begonia if it is getting too dense. To shape the plant, simply prune away any unwanted growth. To remove spent flowers, cut off the stalk just below the bloom. If you are thinning out the begonia, remove several of the oldest and largest stalks from the center of the plant.
Pruning after the blooming season
Once your begonia has finished blooming for the season, you’ll want to prune it back to encourage new growth and full, healthy blooms next year. You can cut back the plant by one-third to one-half its height. Be sure to make your cuts just above a leaf node (the point where a leaf is attached to the stem).
Begonias and Pests
Be sure to check your begonias regularly for pests, especially if you notice the leaves turning brown or yellow. Aphids, whiteflies, and mealybugs are all common pests that can attack begonias. If you see any of these pests, you’ll need to take action to get rid of them.
Dealing with pests
As with most flowers, begonias are susceptible to a variety of pests. The most common are aphids, whiteflies, and mealybugs. These pests can cause damage to the leaves and blooms of your plant, and can also lead to disease.
To get rid of pests, start by spraying your plant with water to dislodge them. You can also try using a soap solution or an insecticidal soap. If the infestation is severe, you may need to use a pesticide. Be sure to follow the directions on the label carefully.
Begonias and disease
While begonias are strong, healthy plants that can resist most pests and diseases, they are not indestructible. If you notice your begonia’s leaves turning yellow, developing brown spots or wilting, it is likely suffering from a disease. Below are three of the most common diseases that affect begonias and how to treat them.
Powdery Mildew
Powdery mildew is a white or gray powdery fungus that appears on the leaves of affected plants. While powdery mildew does not usually kill the plant, it can cause the leaves to turn yellow and drop off. To prevent powdery mildew, water your begonias at the base of the plant rather than from above. If powdery mildew does appear, treat it with a fungicide specifically designed for powdery mildew.
Botrytis Blight
Botrytis blight is a gray mold that affects both the leaves and stems of begonias. This disease is most common in humid weather and can cause the leaves to turn brown and wilt. To prevent botrytis blight, make sure your begonias have good air circulation and are not too close together. If this disease does appear, cut away any affected parts of the plant and destroy them. You can also treat botrytis blight with a fungicide specifically designed for this disease.
Leaf Spot
Leaf spot is a fungal disease that affects the leaves of begonias, causing them to develop brown or black spots. This disease is most common in wet weather and can eventually kill the affected leaves if left untreated. To prevent leaf spot, water your begonias at the base of the plant rather than from above. If leaf spot does appear, treat it with a fungicide specifically designed for this disease.
Begonias and Watering
Begonias are one of the best houseplants for blooming indoors all year long. They’re relatively easy to care for, but there are a few things you should know about watering begonias to ensure full, healthy blooms.
Watering Begonias
The frequency of watering needed for begonias depends on the type of begonia, the size of the pot, the climate, and other factors. In general, however, begonias need to be kept moist but not wet. Water begonias when the soil surface feels dry to the touch. Begonias that are grown in pots will need to be watered more often than those grown in the ground.
If you live in a hot climate, you may need to water your begonias twice a day during the summer months. If you live in a cool climate or if your begonias are growing in shady conditions, they will require less water.
Over-watering is one of the most common problems when it comes to growing begonias. Begonias that are overwatered will have yellow leaves and stems that are soft and mushy. If your begonia is overwatered, reduce the frequency of watering and make sure that the pot has good drainage.
Begonias and humidity
The Begonias genus (Begonia spp.) contains more than 1,300 species of perennial, evergreen and deciduous flowering plants that provide color in shady areas of the landscape. Many species have colorful leaves as well as blooms, and all are easy to grow and maintain. Most begonias require little pruning, but deadheading — the removal of spent flowers —
