Where should I put my spotted begonia?
Your Spotted Begonia prefers bright, indirect light and lots of it, but will enjoy brief exposure to direct light. Can tolerate lower light conditions, but be sure to adjust watering and expect the plant to take on an elongated, sparse look. Extra humidity appreciated in drier spaces. The polka dot begonia prefers moist, rich soil. Since it is most often grown in containers or indoors, a good potting mix should suffice, or a sandy loam soil.Like other begonias, Polka Dot appreciates a good meal in the spring and summer. Add a dilute solution of liquid houseplant fertilizer every time you water.When young, polka dot begonia is a beautiful houseplant for desks and tabletops. As it gets older, with good care, it becomes a beautiful floor plant, reaching 4 feet tall or more.Light and position. The Polka Dot Begonia is quite relaxed when it comes to its sunlight requirements. It prefers to live in bright, indirect sunlight, but it’s also happy to live in low light. This means it’s the ideal botanical for homes and offices that don’t get too much natural sun.
Are spotted begonias hard to care for?
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! However, if you want your plant to bloom (with small pink or white flowers) then it will need a brighter light situation. Soil: Begonias prefer rich, well-drained soil. For those in pots, use a high quality all-purpose potting mix. Make sure containers have adequate drainage holes. Watering: Keep soil evenly moist but not soggy.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.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.Food: To encourage your begonias to grow more vibrant and abundant blooms, nourish them with Miracle-Gro® Water Soluble Bloom Booster Flower Food every 1-2 weeks during the growing season (late spring to early autumn). Soil: Use a well-draining nutrient-rich soil like Miracle-Gro® Organic Raised Bed & Garden Soil.Begonias prefer growing in light, rich soil with a good concentration of humus, similar to the makeup of potting soil. So it’s no surprise the plants tend to thrive in containers. Begonias planted in a pot should be spaced 4-6″ apart and with the tubers buried hollow-side up.
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. Though the Polka Dot Begonia grows fast, there are ways to control its growth through pruning branches and leaves. One of the best ways to keep begonias happy and flowering is to plant them in well-draining soil. They also need the right amount of sunlight, moisture, and nutrition.Begonia maculata, commonly known as the Polka Dot Begonia, is a visually striking houseplant that is renowned for its unique appearance and ease of care. It offers a stunning aesthetic with its distinctively spotted leaves and showy blooms.The Polka Dot Begonia likes its soil to be nice and moist, so it needs frequent and consistent watering. However, that doesn’t mean it likes sitting in excess water. You can check whether your plant’s due a drink by putting your finger into the top layer of soil. If it feels dry, you can confidently water your plant.Water your begonias regularly. Feed fortnightly during the growing season with a liquid high-potash feed such as tomato feed. Regularly check for pests like aphids and treat them promptly. Deadhead spent flowers and damaged leaves to keep the plants looking tidy and encourage further flowering.Yellowing leaves are a sign of your Begonia being overwatered, another indication of over-saturated soil is if the leaves are mushy to the touch or turning brown. This means rot has set in, causing excessive leaf drop or wilt even though the soil is moist.
Should I mist my spotted Begonia?
Begonias are prone to powdery mildew that can occur if their leaves are kept wet, so avoid getting the leaves wet during watering and do not mist the plant. It’s time to add beautiful flowers and flashy foliage to your home. Begonias are popular outdoor annuals for the garden, but they make elegant indoor plants as well.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.I let mine go bone dry and then water that prevents the crispy tips. Begonias in general are not happy when overwatered. And the polka dots really let you know! They like indirect light and stable conditions.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. Move the pots back outdoors after the frosts have passed.As you can see this begonia is full of beautiful blooms, as I understand it to keep it blooming, it’s recommended to remove the female flowers, & leave the male more showy blooms till deadheading is needed.
How often should I water a 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. Polka Dot Begonia features striking silver-spotted leaves with maroon undersides. A rare, easy-care houseplant perfect for indoor collections and display.
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. One of the best ways to keep begonias happy and flowering is to plant them in well-draining soil. They also need the right amount of sunlight, moisture, and nutrition. Read the label on your plant to determine if it can handle full sun or shade conditions before choosing a spot to plant it.Begonias are tender bulbs and require protection from frost. For best results, start them off in temporary pots in a greenhouse in March or April to give them a head start. They can then be transplanted outside in May. Begonia tubers can also be planted directly outside into borders or containers in May.Wax begonia cultivars are slightly more tolerant of frost, but won’t survive freezing. The exception is Rex varieties, which should be reacclimated to indoor climates before temperatures drop below 50°F. You can overwinter other wax begonias by digging and potting them up and bringing potted plants indoors for winter.In autumn, dig up tuberous begonias and store the tubers in a cool, frost-free spot for winter. Bring fibrous-rooted types indoors over winter, or treat as annuals and throw on the compost heap. Foliage begonias are grown as house plants but can enjoy time outdoors in summer.