Benefits of Starting With Begonia Young Plants Instead of Seed

Getting your annual flowers started with begonia young plants instead of seed can save you money, time and effort. They are super easy-care, but they will still need your attention once they’re grown.

Begonias can be grown in a variety of ways, including as houseplants (grown year-round in cooler climates), in containers and flower beds (grown for one growing season as an annual). Tuberous begonias grow from tubers, which look like enlarged stems that store food for the plant.

Germination

begonia young plants are available as plugs or pot-grown plants and can be started from seed or sown in a sterile seedling tray. They can also be hardened off – that is, acclimatised to outdoor temperatures – before planting outdoors after all risk of frost has passed.

Tuberous begonias are grown from round, fleshy tubers that grow into large flowering plants in summer and fall. They are great for hanging baskets or planting in the ground. They are very deer resistant, and can tolerate part shade.

Start begonia seeds indoors 14 to 16 weeks before the date you want to plant them outside. Fill a seed tray with a good germination medium, such as sand, and press the seeds down gently but not too tightly into the medium. Then place the tray in a sunny spot with plenty of light to encourage germination.

The best time to sow begonia seeds is in late January when the weather is still cool but the threat of frost is past. They should germinate within a few weeks, and will need to be transplanted into larger containers as soon as they have enough root growth to support themselves.

Once the seedlings are ready to move outside, they should be positioned in a sheltered location during the day and taken back inside overnight. They will need to be protected from cold winds and rain until they are acclimatised to outdoor conditions.

Fertilize begonias as needed during the growing season, but don’t water them frequently. Watering too often can cause the soil to dry out, which is a problem for tuberous begonias, and can make the roots more susceptible to diseases such as grey rot or powdery mildew.

Mulches help retain soil moisture and keep soil temperatures even. They also discourage weeds, which compete with flowers for space and nutrients. For annuals a mulch of shredded leaves works well, as does a layer of compost.

Most begonia species can be propagated by cuttings, either from whole leaves or partial leaves. Alternatively, the rhizomes of certain begonia varieties can be divided in spring and used to grow new plants.

Transplanting

The first benefit of starting with begonia young plants instead of seed is that they can often be grown more quickly. Begonia seeds are extremely small and they take a long time to germinate. That makes them a bit of a challenge to plant from seed. But once you get the hang of it, it is quite fun to watch them grow.

When you buy begonias, select those that are growing well in a nursery and have at least one flower. They should have enough leaves and are not too spindly or too tall. Also, look for begonias that are thriving indoors and will thrive in cooler weather outdoors.

For the best results, plant them in well-drained soil. If the soil is poor, you can amend it with worm castings or compost before planting. Using a fertilizer formulated for containers is also recommended.

After transplanting, you will need to give the plants some special attention to keep them healthy. For cane begonias, pinch back new growth to encourage bushier growth and remove bare stems or old, brown canes.

Rex begonias require less pruning, but they still need some attention. Trim off spent flowers and dead or rotted canes, cutting them off about half an inch below the blossom.

Then, water the newly planted begonias frequently to keep them hydrated. Fertilize with a low-nitrogen, high-phosphorus solution after you see flower buds to promote more blooms.

Another advantage of planting begonias that are already growing is that you can save the tubers for next year’s garden. Tuberous begonias are usually available as bulbs at the local garden center. When the frost is about to kill off the foliage, dig up the tubers and store them in a cool, dry place until spring.

To keep begonias thriving, water them regularly and provide plenty of sunlight in cool areas. You can also combine them with other sun-loving annuals like impatiens, coleus, dusty miller or marigolds to create colorful color combinations. Mulches of shredded leaves help to retain soil moisture and control weeds.

Watering

Unlike seed, which require a long time to germinate and grow strong, young plants need minimal care. Watering them properly is the best way to ensure that they grow into healthy plants.

Begonias thrive in a warm, well-drained soil that is lightly moist but not soggy. They also need a light fertilizing program, particularly in the spring before they bloom. A balanced liquid fertilizer is best for begonias.

Once your begonias are established, it’s easy to make them happy with the right care. If they are growing in the sun, you’ll want to move them to a shady location if they start to turn yellow or burn, and you can also add a grow light if they don’t get enough sunlight.

Most begonia varieties like partial shade, but you can find some that are sun tolerant and will perform better in hotter climates. Some varieties even have red leaves, so you can use them in hanging baskets and pots in full sun locations.

A popular garden plant, begonias come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some have upright, arching stalks and others are pendulous. You’ll also find flowers in a wide range of colors, from white to shades of deep pink, rose and red.

If you’re planning on starting begonias from seed, start them indoors as soon as possible so that they can develop a strong root system before transplanting outside. Sow them very shallowly in a good seed starting mix and keep the soil moist until they emerge.

Once they’re established, you can transplant your begonias into their final planting spot once the weather is safe to do so. Dig a hole that’s large enough to accommodate the plant’s root ball, and fill it with soil that has been amended by adding organic matter.

You can also propagate begonias by cuttings and dividing them. Be sure to remove all the leaves before you divide them, and replant the cuttings in fresh soil.

Another benefit of starting begonias with young plants instead of seed is that they are less likely to be contaminated with houseplant pests. The biggest dangers to begonias are fungus gnats, mealybugs and other insects that can damage the leaves of the plants. However, if you do spot any of these insects on the leaves or stems of your begonias, don’t spray them with chemicals, but rather take a cotton swab and dip it in rubbing alcohol.

Light

Begonias are an excellent choice for indoor gardeners. They are a tender perennial that are easy to grow and will provide year-round color for any space. They require light, water, and good soil to thrive.

They are also very easy to propagate. They are often sown from seed, but they can be grown from leaf, stem, or rhizome cuttings.

Most begonias will grow well in filtered light but some varieties need brighter conditions and can tolerate more sun. Some can even be grown as houseplants.

If you’re a newbie gardener, starting with begonia young plants instead of seeds is a great way to get started. You can use a nursery pack or pots, and then place them under grow lights for several weeks in order to harden them off before you move them outdoors.

The main advantage of growing begonias from young plants is that you can see the plant’s growth and development before you transplant it outside. This will allow you to spot problems before they become serious, and will help ensure that you don’t transplant shock and sunburn when it’s time to put your begonias outside.

Once the danger of frost has passed, you can begin to gently move your begonias outdoors for a few hours each day until they’re out full-time. This will harden them off, and reduce the chances of transplant shock and sunburn once they’re planted out permanently.

Most gardeners will choose to plant begonias in a shaded area, where they can be protected from intense direct sunlight. There are a few new varieties of begonias that are now being sold with more sun tolerance, but most will struggle if they are exposed to too much sun.

Another benefit of growing begonias from young plants instead of seed is that they will be easier to control if you do decide to transplant them outside. Typically, you want to move begonias to a location that gets bright, indirect light (a south or east-facing window would be ideal).

If you live in an apartment or small home, you may need to place your begonias on a windowsill to receive their desired amount of light. Alternatively, you could grow them in a decorative cloche or in an indoor greenhouse for the winter. If you do grow your begonias indoors, they will need a lot of humidity to thrive. This can be difficult for some people, but if you have an indoor humidity monitor, you can be sure that your begonias are getting the proper amount of moisture they need.