Is begonia elatior indoor or outdoor?
Elatior Begonia is a low-maintenance plant that thrives with minimal care. Its vibrant blooms, glossy foliage, and ability to bloom year-round make it an excellent choice for both indoor and outdoor spaces. Watering: Water regularly but avoid letting the plant sit in water. Elatior begonias prefer evenly moist soil that does not dry out between waterings. Check the soil often to determine the best routine for your plant. They may require daily watering during hot spells — especially if summered outside. To check the soil, insert your finger into the soil to a depth of 1 inch.Begonias thrive in soil that is neither dry nor saturated. Your goal is to find a moisture level and watering schedule that is justttt right. A good rule of thumb is to water every two to four days. When it’s hot and dry you’ll need to water more often than when the air cools down and the soil holds more moisture.Ideal for containers, hanging baskets and window boxes, these easy-care plants grow best in the shade or partial shade, though some varieties may tolerate some sun. Begonias can also be planted in flower beds and borders. Their blooms are a welcome sign of summer—and they continue flowering until frost in the fall.Zone: The plants will not survive winter outdoors except in zones 8-11. In cooler climates (zones 3-7), tuberous begonias are usually grown as annuals for flowers from summer through fall. To check your growing zone, use the USDA Hardiness zone map here.
What is the common name for begonia elatior?
Begonia × hiemalis, the elatior begonia or Reiger begonia, is an artificial hybrid species of flowering plant in the family Begoniaceae. Its parents are Begonia socotrana and Begonia × tuberhybrida (itself a hybrid of multiple species). Let’s cut to the chase, begonias can be difficult plants to grow as houseplants, too often the leaves start crisping and no matter what you do, you can’t stop it until the plant dies. Sometimes you end up overwatering exacerbating the problem by causing root rot leading to less water uptake.Elatior’ An evergreen, bushy perennial usually grown as a houseplant with glossy green leaves, to a height of up to 30cm. Available in red, yellow, pink, orange and white forms, it flowers throughout the year indoors and in summer and autumn when grown outdoors as an annual.Comments: Rieger begonias (Begonia × hiemalis), which are often called Elatior begonias, are in fact hybrid begonias, originally created from a cross between summer-flowering tuberous begonias (Begonia × tuberhybrida) and a rarely cultivated winter-flowering species, Begonia socotrana in 1883.The Short Answer. While most people classify Begonias as an annual flower, they can be grown as tender perennials under the right circumstances. Growing them as an annual flower is a much easier process, but you have to buy and replant them if you want them every year.
How do you care for an elatior begonia?
Water begonias at the base to avoid leaf spot and the possibility of fungal diseases on flowers. Allow the top 20 cm or so of soil to dry out before watering again. Protect from powdery mildew by supplying adequate ventilation. Begonias are best treated as annuals and discarded when flowering has finished. The lifespan of begonias can vary depending on the species and the growing conditions. Generally, begonias grown as annuals will last for one growing season before dying off. However, some perennial begonia species can last for several years with proper care.Begonias should be fed a general purpose fertilizer every other week during spring and summer. Because these plants store water in the rhizomes, which are their thick, fuzzy stems, it is important not to overwater them. Only water these plants when the top one-inch of soil feels dry.Fresh-cut begonia flowers in a vase usually last around 5 to 10 days, while potted begonias can bloom for weeks or even months with proper care. Some types even bloom off and on throughout the year. In short, these lovely flowers give you plenty of time to enjoy their beauty, especially if you treat them well.In warm climates where the winter frosts are rare to nonexistent, you can leave begonias to go dormant on their own and they will come back as annuals every year. The changing season will usually force dormancy, especially in tuberous varieties.
Is begonia elatior an indoor plant?
Caring for Elatior begonias They like temperatures between 16 and 22 °C, so Elatior begonias do not do well outside. A place inside the home suits them just fine. These temperatures are also optimal over the winter because as tropical plants, these begonias are accustomed to consistent temperatures throughout the year. Can begonias take full sun? Begonias can tolerate full sun in northern climates, but do best with partial shade.Elatior begonias prefer evenly moist soil that does not dry out between waterings. Check the soil often to determine the best routine for your plant. They may require daily watering during hot spells — especially if summered outside. To check the soil, insert your finger into the soil to a depth of 1 inch.Top tips for growing begonias Begonias need a moist soil that is free draining. Soggy or waterlogged soil is particularly troublesome for begonias with tubers or rhizomes underground that will quickly rot if they are too wet.Begonia thrives in bright filtered light and outdoors in dappled shade, if your plant is receiving too much light the leaves will either yellow or look washed out, too little light and the plant will look sparse and stretched out, relocate your Begonia to a more optimal position but avoid low light or direct sun.Begonias are tropical plants, but their foliage and flowers can be damaged by too much sun, and they will not grow in hot, dry weather.
Do begonias need sun or shade?
Begonia light requirements can vary, from full sun to shade. Provide shelter from hot afternoon sun. Follow these steps and space plants 6 to 18 inches apart, depending on the variety. Loosen soil in the planting area. Begonias will benefit from regular feeding throughout the growing season to keep them looking their best. Feeding will promote both healthy root growth and plenty of flowers. Use a liquid feed such as Miracle-Gro Performance Organics Liquid All Purpose Plant Feed or Neudorff Organic Multi Purpose Liquid Plant Food.Begonias prefer to be planted in a moist, semi-shaded area out of the midday sun. Feeding is usually started once the first flower buds have formed and a liquid feed like Miracle Gro, Phostrogen or a small amount of liquid tomato feed can be given regularly, to give good leaf growth and lots of flowers.Begonias bloom continuously from their first flowering until the first frost. Give them adequate water, some shade, and regular fertilizer to keep them blooming. Deadhead the blooms to encourage more flowers.When Will They Flower? Most tuberous varieties will flower from mid-summer, often June. They will then provide you with months of floral charm for the summer garden, lasting until the early autumn (September/October). Begonia tubers and corms can be watered once planted as often as is needed.Keep soil evenly moist, allowing it to dry only slightly between waterings. Reduce water in winter (stop watering tuberous begonias in fall). Always avoid wet or waterlogged soil. When plant is in full growth, fertilize with balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength at alternate waterings.