Do spotted begonias like sun or shade?
Spotted Begonia plants prefer bright, indirect light. They can tolerate some direct sunlight, but too much can cause their leaves to burn. An east-facing window that receives filtered sunlight is an excellent spot for these plants. If you don’t have access to a window with enough light, you can use artificial lighting. All begonias can be propagated by rooting stem cuttings, sometimes called tip cuttings. The basic idea is that a plant will clone itself by sprouting roots on a piece of stem that is in a moist growing medium. Many begonias root easily, and one can use the similar technique of rooting them in water.To propagate your begonia, cut off about 10 cm long shoots without flowers below a leaf node. Put the polka dot begonia cuttings in a glass of water and place in a warm, light spot at a temperature of about 20 °C. Once the cuttings have grown plenty of strong roots, plant them into a pot with high-quality potting soil.The best route is to water your plant regularly, allowing the soil to remain nice and moist without pools of water gathering. Make sure your pot has drainage holes. Lighting: An easy-going plant, the polka-dot begonia loves bright indirect light but will still grow alright in low light!Re-Potting: Check if the roots are poking out of the drainage holes of the pot. For the Polka Dot Begonia, annual repotting (in the spring) is generally needed. Propagation: Begonias are easy to propagate so don’t throw away those pruned off stems!
Why is my spotted begonia dropping leaves?
Reviving a Leaf-Dropping Begonia Assess the lighting; Begonias need about 8 hours of bright, indirect sunlight. If the light is too strong or too weak, adjust the plant’s position. Check the soil quality; it should be well-draining and aerated. If it’s compacted or soggy, consider repotting with fresh soil. You’ve Over Fertilized You can end up with lots of leaves and leggy growth but no blooms. Or you can even burn a plant with too much fertilizer. Stick to fertilizing one every 10-14 days. Don’t fertilize newly planted begonias, give them a week or more to establish roots.Water and humidity This is where things go south for many new Begonia enthusiasts, as these plants are a bit more finicky about soil moisture levels than many others. If you tend to overwater, which is the case for most people, you may into issues with leaf loss.The best fertilizer for begonias is one that is high in phosphorus, as it promotes flower production and helps the plant to develop a strong root system. A fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 5-10-5 or 10-10-10 is ideal for begonias.Your Begonia prefers a humid environment but does not tolerate misting. Use a pebble tray or humidifier, instead. Your Begonia will do well in average room temperatures between 65-80°F. Feed once a month during the spring and summer with an all-purpose fertilizer for indoor plants.
How fast do spotted begonias grow?
The Begonia Maculata is a fast-growing plant that can add up to 12 inches of growth every season. In total, this plant can reach between 1-2 feet in height and 4 inches wide. Watering: How Often Should I Water My Begonias? Generally, every two to four days. Keep your begonias happy with a moist environment but beware of soggy soil! These plants like to stay damp, and not dry out completely, but they hate having their roots sitting in water.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.You can leave begonias in pots over winter, provided you move the pots into a dark frost-free place before the first frosts. Stop watering over winter. Once new growth starts in spring, move the pots into the light and start watering.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.
How to make spotted begonia bushy?
Regular pruning of the new growth (up to a third of the whole plant) will promote a fuller, bushier appearance. New leaves will emerge from the cut stem. Pruning can also help make your plant bushier if your plant is getting leggy and you want it to grow more leaves, closer together. To do this, trim the branches just above a node to encourage more branching and leaf growth. You can also pinch off the ends of growing stems to get the plant to branch out in that area!Pinching and pruning your Begonia will help create a fuller and bushier plant. New stems will grow from where you prune. If your plant grows too tall, the best time to prune and maintain height is in late autumn. This is the end of the active growing season.Which begonias can grow in full sun? Many begonias will do just fine in full sun. The bedding plant fibrous begonias, Dragon Wing Begonias and Bonfire Begonias handle full sun best.Used in containers, hanging baskets and bedding schemes, begonias provide continuous colour throughout the summer until the first frosts. They are easy to care for and all grow well in partial shade.Begonias generally take from 12 to 15 weeks to bloom and will then will keep blooming until the season ends. For earlier blooming, plant your tubers indoors in pots about six weeks before the last frost date in your area. Begonias need warm, well-drained soil and a spot that is shaded and out of any drafts/wind.
How often should I water spotted begonia?
WATERING. The polka dot begonia prefers her soil to dry out before she is watered again. In the summer a weekly water is adequate and in the winter she will need much less. Always let the first few inches of soil dry out for watering again. Deadheading begonias is important [because] it encourages the plant to produce more blooms, helps maintain a neater appearance and helps prevent disease by removing old blooms before they rot, says Penny Merritt-Price, Project Development Manager for Young’s Plant Farm.Begonias in containers don’t need mulching. Trimming & Pruning: To encourage fuller, bushier growth, pinch back newly-formed growth tips when they are about 3-6 inches long. Repeat monthly until mid-summer. For fewer, larger flowers, pinch off new young stem growth while leaving new buds to grow into flowers.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.According to McEnaney, polka dot begonias are indoor plants for much of North America. If you’re in Zones 10 to 12, you can grow them outdoors.Pruning and deadheading begonia is recommended to promote a bushier plant with more flowers. Also, prune if your plant becomes leggy. This will help the plant have healthier looking growth and helps encourage the plants to put energy towards producing more flowers.