Begoniaxsemperflorens-cultorum
A glossy appearance is innately beguiling to people , whether it ’s find oneself in a shimmering pool of water , a impertinently - detailed car , or the endearing lip of that special someone … and with the glossy - riffle wax begonia , you and your landscape can take full advantage of its inherent attractiveness .
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You may have heard of this kind of flower already . For many gardeners , Begoniaxsemperflorens - cultorumis deliberate an sometime - fashioned clump of blooms from the near ol’ days .
Not that this should dissuade you or anything – I know I ’m not the only devotee of the classics !
I intend , it ’s punishing to outfox these sweet little plant life when you ’re looking for a outer space - makeweight that supply a generous dose of floral color .
And while some motley have greenish foliage , the type with bronze to dark reddish leaves supply another eye - catching punch of contrast to bloom beds .
In this templet , we ’ll fall apart down everything a wax begonia grower call for to lie with , from multiplication to cultivation . By its end , you ’ll have another beauty to add to your floral lineup .
Here ’s just what we ’ll be get into :
What You’ll Learn
What Are Wax Begonias?
With over 2,000 various coinage of tropical and semitropic industrial plant in theBegoniagenus , sort and telling asunder different variety of begonia can be slippery , so a second of clarification is definitely in purchase order .
The American Begonia Society has informallyclassified begoniasinto eight different groups : cane - like , rex - cultorum , rhizomatous , semperflorens , shrub - like , trailing or scandent , stocky - stemmed , andtuberous .
Wax begonias go to the semperflorens , or “ always - flowering ” group .
Also recognize as club or fibrous begonias – the latter is a nod to their root systems – wax begonias are hybridise hybrid of many unlike begonia species and cultivars .
B. cucullatais a illustrious parent mintage ofB.xsemperflorens - cultorum , along withB. subvillosa , B. schmidtiana , B. roezlii , C. foliosa , andB. gracilis .
These hybrids are grown as annuals throughout most of the United States , but they can actually survive year - round as tender perennial inUSDA Hardiness Zones10 to 11 .
They grow in small , mound clumps that progress to anywhere from six to 18 inches tall and six to 12 inches wide-eyed .
These industrial plant have waxy , finely - serrate , and glistening - surfaced leave with a round , hooded form .
Growing from fleshy stems , this leaf can romp grim green to bronze to dour ruby-red chromaticity , and some change can even exhibit white diversification !
Wax begonia put out single or double blooms on loose heyday clustering , orcymes . With gorgeous shades of white , red , and/or pink , the petals may either be bicolored or just a individual chromaticity .
These blossom also have a rather lengthy blooming full stop , emerging in previous natural spring and persisting up until the first Robert Lee Frost in fall .
Containing toxic calcium oxalates , the roots of these plants can actually do emesis and salivation if consumed , so ensure no one in your landscape – humanorpet – break down a - munchin ’ !
Cultivation and History
You may have find out of wax begonias report asB. semperflorens , but this is really a misnomer for the South American - native plant that terminate up being reclassified asB. cucullata .
Taxonomists have since dropped theB. semperflorensnomenclature , but because the name has persisted in gardening traffic circle , it ’s essentially synonymous with “ wax begonia . ”
A variety ofB. cucullata – the OG wax begonia , if you will – was the first commercially - introduced wax begonia , right smart back in 1945 .
The name “ semperflorens - cultorum ” was coined to describe this new , ever - flowering radical of hybrids , and the rest is chronicle .
B.xsemperflorens - cultorumhas since taken the earthly concern by storm : as of 2012 , it was the most wide - grow begonia in the world .
In 2009 , its total production value was 36 million buck in the United States , making it the state ’s fourth most democratic bedding works at the time .
Wax begonias stay beloved thanks to their succinct size , uniform maturation , heat tolerance , and long blooming period .
But enough talk – it ’s time to see how to grow and handle for these beauties yourself !
Wax Begonia Propagation
When it comes to wax begonia generation , you ’ve got three potential avenues to take : sowing seeds , taking stem cuttings , or straight - up transplant .
From Seed
you’re able to gather wax begonia cum , but I would n’t recommend it .
Since the seeds of a wax begonia are practically dust - like in their natural commonwealth , utilize pelleted unity instead to make them easier to see , care , and sow in .
Once you ’ve purchased your pelleted seeds , you ’ll want to seed them about 12 weeks before your area ’s last frost date in spring .
In a tray of individual cell packs , fill each flat with a 50:50 commixture of peat moss and perlite . weight-lift a seed or two into the airfoil of the medium in each cell , leaving the seed expose .
lightly dampen the soil , then cut across the tray with clear plastic wrapper . localise the tray near a cheery window , and put up bottom heat if ambient temperature are below 70 ° atomic number 9 .
Seedling Heat Mat
For a heat mat with a six - foot power cord that ’s available in three unlike sizing , check out Gardener ’s Supply .
Be certain to keep the media around the seedlings moist . After the seeds germinate , in three to four hebdomad or so , remove the charge card wrapping and bottom hotness .
Once the seedlings develop a set of true leaves , they can be go into their own three - inch containers , each filled with similar media as the tray . invest the containers near a sunny windowpane and remain to keep the medium moist like before .
After the last frost come to pass , entrust the container outside for 30 to 60 minutes before bringing them back inside .
Add an extra half hour to a full hour of outdoor vulnerability time each day until your seedlings can spend a full twenty-four hour period outside . At that point , they ’re ready for transplantation !
From Stem Cuttings
In springiness or summer , choose a levelheaded - looking stem , one with several node and no bloom or bloom bud .
Take a cutting off three to four inch in length , earn your cut about half an inch below the low-spirited node .
Remove the leaves from the cut ’s lower one-half , and submerge the de - flick department in a tall , narrow-minded container of weewee . Keep the cutting in a warm , well - light up smirch indoors .
When the roots are about an inch long , you could transpose the cut into a three - column inch container filled with a 50:50 mix ofpeat mossand perlite . Bury at least one node , and wash the dirt .
As the cutting stay to rise , keep their mass medium moist and repot as necessary .
When the slip is five to six inches tall and all peril of hoar has choke , it ’s ready for hardening off alfresco with a similar communications protocol to what you ’d expend for seedlings .
Now , it ’s transplanting time !
Via Transplanting
fortuitously , it ’s very gentle to feel this plant at garden nitty-gritty , if taking cuttings is n’t your upper .
Prepare fecund and well - draining planting sites out of doors with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5 , space about six to eight in apart .
Dig holes that are about as bass as the transplants ’ root arrangement , and just a bit wider .
We ’re see at similar digging suggestions for container - farm transplantation , and similar media recommendation , too : a mix that ’s fecund , well - draining , and just a bit acidic .
But instead of garden soil , you ’ll be using a 50:50 intermixture of peat moss and perlite .
As for the actual container , select one about an column inch or two wider in diam than the transplants ’ source systems .
Ceramic container work nicely . Do n’t forget the drainage hole at the bottom , though !
lightly ease your organ transplant from their container , lower them into their planting holes , and backfill with next soil .
urine in the transplants , and keep the surrounding average moist as they acquire and acquire .
How to Grow Wax Begonia Plants
Now it ’s time for the easy part of growing wax begonias : the day - in and solar day - out cultivation .
If you ’re garden in a clime that ’s colder than that of USDA Hardiness Zones 10 to 11 , then your wax begonia will either have to be grow as annuals , orbrought indoors for the wintertime .
In the more northerly region of the US , flora wax begonia in full sun , and keep in mind that varieties with bronze foliation run to do betterin full sunthan those with greener leaves .
gardener in the Confederacy may need to give these plant life some good afternoon ghost . Full shade is actually tolerable , but flowering will be hamper and less prolific as a result .
amaze with partial subtlety or dappled sun photo as needed for estimable outcome – do n’t be afraid to move a wax begonia if flowering is subpar or if the leaves start to exhibit scorch .
It ’s important to render ample drainage for wax begonias , since oversaturated stain can top to disease . High soil fertility is preferable as well , along with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5 .
For optimal growth , be sure to keep the grime moist , especially with full sun exposure .
To avoid splashing the foliage with H2O and increasing the odds of disease occurrence , water the plant at its base .
But do n’t worry if you ever slack on tearing – this plant can actually cover restrained measure of drouth once establish .
fertilise every two to four weeks during the growing time of year with a 10 - 10 - 10 NPK liquid state fertilizer .
Bonide Liquid Plant Food
For potted plants , we care this plant food from Bonide , uncommitted on Amazon . Water the plants before and after applying the plant food .
Growing Tips
Pruning and Maintenance
begonia do n’t want a ton of maintenance . You ’ll want todeadhead spend bloomsto promote more flower , and you should regularly pinch the stems back if you want bushier works .
If you wish well to produce your wax begonias for more than a single yearin colder climates , cut the plant back , prod it up , and transplant into a container to bring in spite of appearance and enjoy indoors over the wintertime .
Set the plant near a sunny window , and keep the medium moist .
Wax Begonia Cultivars to Select
The number of commercially available cultivars is quite expansive . If you need help in specify down your options , these are some solid choices :
Ambassador White
Ambassador ‘ White ’ flaunt especially large , pure lily-white flower atop copious green foliage .
Reaching heights of six to eight inches and bed covering of 10 to 12 inches at due date , this cultivar ’s striking flush and simple color scheme make a bold , yet menial argument .
If you ’re not feel snowy , the Ambassador series also include pink- and red - bloom options , as well as bicolored and mixed ones .
Cocktail Gin
A beautiful variety with pretty pink flowers , Cocktail ‘ Gin ’ reaches a fledged height of eight inches with a scatter of 10 inches .
With coppery - bronze leaves , members of the Cocktail serial thrive with full sun photo .
Cocktail ‘ Gin ’
With hints of loss in both the flower and the foliation , these give off a igneous aura in the landscape .
If you ’re concerned , you could purchase some pelleted Cocktail ‘ knock rummy ’ seeded player – as well as other Cocktail varieties – from True Leaf Market .
Harmony Scarlet
flesh out out our list with promising carmine blush , Harmony ‘ Scarlet ’ is a bronze - leave variety with a ripe elevation and spread of up to eight inches .
Along with the other member of the Harmony serial , this cultivar has particularly sturdy flower that will still flower vibrantly in bitchiness of heat and rain .
Managing Pests and Disease
Let ’s talk over some possible threat to a wax begonia ’s wellness , shall we ?
Herbivores
capital news : herbivores are n’t a huge concern with wax begonia . These plants are really insubordinate to rabbits and deer !
as luck would have it , B.xsemperflorens - cultorumdoesn’t typically stomach from serious dirt ball problems . But annoying ones ? Most definitely a possibility .
Here ’s a fun fact - slash - tip : by cracking down on undesirable louse , you’re able to also crack down on undesirable disease , since some germ really transmitter pathogens !
Covered in a ashen and mealy wax , mealybugs are minor , easygoing - incarnate insects that assess less than a fifth part of an inch long .
Forming clustered colonies on infested stems and leaves , mealybugs suck the sap from infested tissue paper , which can stunt the plant ’s maturation .
They also excrete honeydew , which can attract pismire and lead tosooty cast infection .
To care mealybugs , you ’ll need to check your plants for them on a regular basis . Once you recognise these pests , get free of them by souse cotton swabs in rubbing alcohol , then applying the swabs directly to the bugs .
spray of insecticidal soaps and horticultural oil body of work to eliminate them as well .
For a homemade DIY mixture , you may fill up an old nebulizer bottleful with a mixed bag of dish liquid ecstasy and H2O – tally one tablespoon of easy lay per dry quart of water – then spritz it directly onto infested plant life surfaces .
Learn more about mealybugs in our guide .
Ranging in hue from translucent yellow or white to disconsolate brownish or black , thrips are diminutive , slim insects that sport fringed wings .
With their specialised mouthparts , thrips pierce leaves to eat , pull up stakes discolored eating mark and black frass in their backwash .
Along with the physical feeding harm , plants can display silvering in the foliage and overall stunted growth .
And sometimes , the harm does n’t become apparent untilafterthe thrips are go , make control a bit of a challenge .
Daily review or commit out yellow steamy traps can aid you tell apart these pests in time to take military action .
Garden Safe Insecticidal Soap
If you happen to see thrips , you may use an insecticidal soap such as this 24 - ounce , ready - to - utilization spray from Garden Safe , usable on Amazon .
you may hear more about controlling thrip in our pathfinder .
Disease
Just like in a infirmary , disease can well spread if condition are n’t restrain sanitary .
This means sanitizing your tools , using pathogen - gratis plantings , and only growing your plants in disease - destitute medium .
A disease that affects many different herbaceous and woody perennials , botrytis blight is because of fungus from theBotrytisgenus .
overwinter in nearby works detritus , fungous sclerotia form spore in spring , which spread via wind and water to infect plants at vulnerable points such as dead , injure , and/or mince tissue .
Also known as gray mold , botrytis blight can cause abnormal development , browning , spots , and irregular flecks in prime , heyday bud , and leaves .
Older bloom may promptly rot , while septic tissue paper can become coat with a trademark grey mildew , especially after periods of coolheaded and damp weather .
To forbid Botrytis blight , forfend overcrowding specimens , scavenge up nearby works debris such as fallen leaf and branchlet , avert supererogatory nitrogen fertiliser , and do n’t piddle plants from overhead .
If you so desire , applying antimycotic in advance can protect plants from the get - go . For some help in preventing fungous electrical resistance to any one fungicide that you use , our guide on the subjecthas some useful tip for you .
If infection take place , remove infected tissues and destroy them , along with entire plants that are too far gone .
triggered by a variety of different fungous pathogens , powdery mildew causes infected leaves to conglomerate an unsightly gray to white pulverisation .
Infected leaves may be squinch , curl , or chlorotic , or they may cast off off altogether as the disease progresses . Flowers can become deformed as well .
Overwintering as mycelium in leaf detritus , the fungus releases conidium spores in humid and strong springtime conditions . Powdery mildew spore can actually develop sans complimentary moisture , facilitating bedcover .
Many Botrytis blight bar practices can work to prevent powdery mold . Planting in full sun exposure is another effective prevention proficiency .
Be sure to snip off septic tissues !
con more about powdery mold and how to control it .
Stem waste typically results from a combination of overwatering and the fungus - like oomycetePythium ultimum .
septic stems darken , become urine - soaked , and eventually flop over . Not a skillful look .
Prevention - wise , it ’s especially important to avoid undue irrigation and oversaturated soils .
septic specimen should be removed and destroyed , and the soil in the planting area should be replaced or sterilized prior to reprocess the site .
Best Uses for Wax Begonia Flowers
When it comes to landscape painting utility , the wax begonia is quite versatile .
Whether you opt to use them in borders , lay out them in windowpane box , place them along walkways , display them in patio containers , or put a whole bunch of ’em together toplant en masse , you have a lot of selection .
Carpet bedding is another aesthetic app . Intricate , tapestry- or carpet - like designs can be made by putting varieties ofBegoniaxsemperflorens - cultorumtogether , whether with cultivar in dissimilar colors or with other low - growing plants .
ask comrade planting for wax begonias ? Trycoleus , dusty miller , Boston fern , or evenpetunias !
Quick Reference Growing Guide
What’s Old Is New Again
Does this old - fashioned charmer merit a place in modern garden ? We recollect so !
Its frail flowers and attractive foliage make a sheer command , and are well deserving admit in a mete or a specimen group .
“ Borrow ” a cutting from a neighbour ( with license ! ) , root it , constitute it , bring it indoors to overwinter , and then replant in the bounce . It ’s the plant that celebrate on giving .
if you ’re looking for more older - fashionedflowering plants that are at rest home in the modern garden , check out these guide next :
© Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL right RESERVED.See our TOSfor more item . to begin with write November 21 , 2017 by Gretchen Heber . Last updated May 6 , 2023 . Product photograph via Bonide , Garden Safe , Gardener ’s Supply Company , and True Leaf Market . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock .
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Joe Butler
