If one considers foliage plants, vines and succulents to be the best of indoor plants, the plants that feature flowers are the at the top of the list. The flowers one grows in house are well worth up to ten times their weight in beauty and pleasure. As a general consideration, flowering plants are more difficult to cultivate than just the average plant, but the rewards in the end make it extremely worthwhile.
African violets, begonias and geraniums are the standing year-round flower house plants that will all grow well in ones home. Oftentimes, one sees a flowering plant in a floral shop or at a friends home and feels that they should be able to go the same thing at home, only to be met with a bitter result. The chances of this occurs when one has seen a plant that is mature, lush and beautiful, and then in turn it has the advantages of living in a greenhouse environment. These conditions cannot be duplicated in home and we begin to realize the limitations. The ideal thing is to realize the limitations prior to beginning and to work within these limitations. There are many flower plants that can adapt to life outside the greenhouse, these are the best plants to grow.
Beautiful Begonias
There are many different varieties of Begonia plants. A complete and varying garden can be grown using only these plants only. There is over 500 different kinds ranging in color, size and shape. There are some that are low growing, some that vine and others that hang. There are also many varieties that do not bloom and are only grown for the leaf appeal.
If all the hybrids that have ever been developed and sold, the amounts would somewhere in the thousands. These plants are some of the most versatile flowering plants to grown and next to the African violet, the most preferred.
Description of a Begonia
Since Begonias come in basically every shape, size and color, it is a bit harder to give an overall simplistic description of the plant that will make any type of sense. Several of the more preferred varieties will give a person a good idea as anything else will, of the broad range the plant entails. Do not be surprised if you are faced with a plant that appears much different from anything else you have seen and are told is a Begonia, the chances are good that it actually is.
Ideal Growing Conditions
Begonias, similar to the African violet, is tropical in origin and as such, demands an environment which is humid, not dry. The best temperature range between 60 and 70F, during the day hours and no lower than 50F in the evening. Sixty degrees is much cooler than most people would keep their home set at, but this does not need to become a problem if the Begonia plants are well humidified and placed away from spots that are exposed to radiant heat or situated near hot water piping.
Begonia plants may either be watered from top or the bottom and the leaves should be misted with water that is room temperature at least once weekly. This demand will increase the humidity exposure around the plant and keep the leaves free of bugs and dust. The Begonia is just another plant which is not very fond of direct sunlight. Placing the plant in an east or west window or location is going to be the ideal setting.
If your plant faces southern exposure, be certain there is a glass curtain to shield the plant from direct sunlight exposure. In the springtime, after the period of frost threat is gone, your Begonias would do best being moved outdoors with most other plants. The Begonias are not happy in a drafty environment either indoors or out, so one needs to make certain to put the plants in an area that is at least partially sheltered from the strong winds. It should also be partially shaded as well, because the plants do not like direct sunlight exposure indoors or outdoors.
Soil Conditions
Begonias will tolerate a wide array of soil types, however using a commercially produced soil will yield the best results and you will save time and trouble in the long run. For this plant it should not be tightly packed, because the roots need aeration. The pots used should provide ample draining holes with a considerable layer of crockery at the bottom of the pot and at least one piece set over the drain hole at the bottom of the smaller one.
What do Begonias eat?
The season of the year in which Begonias go through its growth period will vary with the type of Begonia being grown. This period is quite easy to determine, of course, during this time frame your plant will need extra doses of plant food, which will be used for maximum growth. When it starts to sprout new shoots and leaves, it is time to repot the plant into a larger container. Always read and utilize the label and directions on the food container and do not overfeed or you risk burning the roots up.
Propagation Directions
Depending upon which variety you have, your Begonias can be propagated in any number of different ways, by stem or leaf cutting, dividing and from seeds.
Insects and Sickness
Your plant can be attacked by mites and many other insects, however, if you take the care to wash them completely when they are brought back inside, you should be able to eliminate the problem completely. If your plants suffer from an infestation, treat them as necessary.
Different Varieties
As has been mentioned previously, the number of varieties available for Begonias is in unimaginable figures.
The Wax Begonia
The family is large and the flowers come in shades of red, white or pink. The entire plant is usually less than 12 inches and if it grows much taller, it is more than likely getting inadequate light and should be moved to a lesser shaded location.
The plant flowers all year round and as the flowers begin to fade, you need to pinch them off and then new buds can begin to sprout. You can increase your plant inventory by seed, and stem cutting and root division.
A Beefsteak Begonia
Another typical favorite, this plant has underleaves that are red colored and green on top, with hair along the edges. The plant is handsome enough to be grown for the leaves alone. The flowers are pink and stand high up above the mass of leaves and stem. Stem cutting is the best way to increase plant supplies.
An Angel Wing Begonia
The plant gets its name from the shape of leaves which are large, up to 6 inches long and green colored, with occasional spotting of silver can be seen. The flowers have many hybrids available, all of which are beautiful. To propagate, its best to use seeds.
Star Begonia
This plant is one of the taller Begonias used exclusively in the house and in front yard porches, it can actually grow up to 4 feet in height. The large round leaves and flowers can measure approximately an inch across and have white or pink flowers among the leaves. To propagate best, use stem cuttings. The Begonia Scharffi is another example of a beautiful plant used for exotic landscapes, with pink flower clusters and dark green-red leaves. It is one of the most beautiful in the group.
The Christmas Begonia
There are many hybrids that can be classified under this blanket name. The plants are beautiful in full color, but need greenhouse like conditions to achieve maximum growth. However, if you get one of the them as a gift, do not even waste your time trying to save it from impending doom. Once it dies, simply toss it and enjoy the new pot.
African violets, begonias and geraniums are the standing year-round flower house plants that will all grow well in ones home. Oftentimes, one sees a flowering plant in a floral shop or at a friends home and feels that they should be able to go the same thing at home, only to be met with a bitter result. The chances of this occurs when one has seen a plant that is mature, lush and beautiful, and then in turn it has the advantages of living in a greenhouse environment. These conditions cannot be duplicated in home and we begin to realize the limitations. The ideal thing is to realize the limitations prior to beginning and to work within these limitations. There are many flower plants that can adapt to life outside the greenhouse, these are the best plants to grow.
Beautiful Begonias
There are many different varieties of Begonia plants. A complete and varying garden can be grown using only these plants only. There is over 500 different kinds ranging in color, size and shape. There are some that are low growing, some that vine and others that hang. There are also many varieties that do not bloom and are only grown for the leaf appeal.
If all the hybrids that have ever been developed and sold, the amounts would somewhere in the thousands. These plants are some of the most versatile flowering plants to grown and next to the African violet, the most preferred.
Description of a Begonia
Since Begonias come in basically every shape, size and color, it is a bit harder to give an overall simplistic description of the plant that will make any type of sense. Several of the more preferred varieties will give a person a good idea as anything else will, of the broad range the plant entails. Do not be surprised if you are faced with a plant that appears much different from anything else you have seen and are told is a Begonia, the chances are good that it actually is.
Ideal Growing Conditions
Begonias, similar to the African violet, is tropical in origin and as such, demands an environment which is humid, not dry. The best temperature range between 60 and 70F, during the day hours and no lower than 50F in the evening. Sixty degrees is much cooler than most people would keep their home set at, but this does not need to become a problem if the Begonia plants are well humidified and placed away from spots that are exposed to radiant heat or situated near hot water piping.
Begonia plants may either be watered from top or the bottom and the leaves should be misted with water that is room temperature at least once weekly. This demand will increase the humidity exposure around the plant and keep the leaves free of bugs and dust. The Begonia is just another plant which is not very fond of direct sunlight. Placing the plant in an east or west window or location is going to be the ideal setting.
If your plant faces southern exposure, be certain there is a glass curtain to shield the plant from direct sunlight exposure. In the springtime, after the period of frost threat is gone, your Begonias would do best being moved outdoors with most other plants. The Begonias are not happy in a drafty environment either indoors or out, so one needs to make certain to put the plants in an area that is at least partially sheltered from the strong winds. It should also be partially shaded as well, because the plants do not like direct sunlight exposure indoors or outdoors.
Soil Conditions
Begonias will tolerate a wide array of soil types, however using a commercially produced soil will yield the best results and you will save time and trouble in the long run. For this plant it should not be tightly packed, because the roots need aeration. The pots used should provide ample draining holes with a considerable layer of crockery at the bottom of the pot and at least one piece set over the drain hole at the bottom of the smaller one.
What do Begonias eat?
The season of the year in which Begonias go through its growth period will vary with the type of Begonia being grown. This period is quite easy to determine, of course, during this time frame your plant will need extra doses of plant food, which will be used for maximum growth. When it starts to sprout new shoots and leaves, it is time to repot the plant into a larger container. Always read and utilize the label and directions on the food container and do not overfeed or you risk burning the roots up.
Propagation Directions
Depending upon which variety you have, your Begonias can be propagated in any number of different ways, by stem or leaf cutting, dividing and from seeds.
Insects and Sickness
Your plant can be attacked by mites and many other insects, however, if you take the care to wash them completely when they are brought back inside, you should be able to eliminate the problem completely. If your plants suffer from an infestation, treat them as necessary.
Different Varieties
As has been mentioned previously, the number of varieties available for Begonias is in unimaginable figures.
The Wax Begonia
The family is large and the flowers come in shades of red, white or pink. The entire plant is usually less than 12 inches and if it grows much taller, it is more than likely getting inadequate light and should be moved to a lesser shaded location.
The plant flowers all year round and as the flowers begin to fade, you need to pinch them off and then new buds can begin to sprout. You can increase your plant inventory by seed, and stem cutting and root division.
A Beefsteak Begonia
Another typical favorite, this plant has underleaves that are red colored and green on top, with hair along the edges. The plant is handsome enough to be grown for the leaves alone. The flowers are pink and stand high up above the mass of leaves and stem. Stem cutting is the best way to increase plant supplies.
An Angel Wing Begonia
The plant gets its name from the shape of leaves which are large, up to 6 inches long and green colored, with occasional spotting of silver can be seen. The flowers have many hybrids available, all of which are beautiful. To propagate, its best to use seeds.
Star Begonia
This plant is one of the taller Begonias used exclusively in the house and in front yard porches, it can actually grow up to 4 feet in height. The large round leaves and flowers can measure approximately an inch across and have white or pink flowers among the leaves. To propagate best, use stem cuttings. The Begonia Scharffi is another example of a beautiful plant used for exotic landscapes, with pink flower clusters and dark green-red leaves. It is one of the most beautiful in the group.
The Christmas Begonia
There are many hybrids that can be classified under this blanket name. The plants are beautiful in full color, but need greenhouse like conditions to achieve maximum growth. However, if you get one of the them as a gift, do not even waste your time trying to save it from impending doom. Once it dies, simply toss it and enjoy the new pot.
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