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Wax begonias can be grown from seed, but are most easily increased by cuttings. Set plants out in spring after the last frost date. They will tolerate cooler and warmer temperatures, but they cannot tolerate frost. These begonias are at their best when daytime temperatures are between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Frequent pinching results in fuller plants and heavier bloom. Super Olympia Series: These varieties have glossy green leaves and are known for the bright colors of their large flowers, which appear early in the garden. This type is a common weed (it has naturalized in Florida and Hawaii), as well as a lovely cultivated flower. Regular fertilizing will encourage all-summer bloom. This category of begonias includes the common wax begonia ( Begonia cucullata ). The soil should be kept evenly moist for the best flower production, but the plants will tolerate dryness once they are established. They are not fussy about soil pH, but they do need good drainage. Their tolerance for shade makes them suitable for use as houseplants as well as in the garden.
#Wax begonia varieties full
Most varieties can tolerate heavy shade, and a few varieties have been developed to do well in full sun. Wax-leaf begonias prefer dappled or bright shade. The genus was named in honor of Michel Bégon (1638-1710), a French amateur botanist who collected begonias from while he was stationed in Santo Domingo with the French navy. The common name, wax begonia, refers to the waxy sheen of the leaves. The genus Begonia is unusual because all 1500+ species can be hybridized with one another, even those that originated on different continents.īegonia semperflorens-cultorum was named for its long bloom period, from semperflorens, meaning 'everblooming'. This group probably originated from a cross between Begonia cucullata var Hookeri and Begonia schmidtiana. Rhizomatous begonias are characterized by rhizomes that grow horizontally near the surface of the soil where the plants sprout new growth.

These plants have white, red, or pink colored flowers on green or red. Plants are compact, 6 to 12 inches tall and wide, and are commonly grown as a bedding plant. Fibrous, rooted begonias or wax begonias are probably the most common to gardeners.
#Wax begonia varieties how to
How to Deter Rabbits With Plants and Other RepellentsĪ group of hybrid cultivars, Begonia x semperfloren-cultorum, is the most widely planted. Wax begonias have waxy green or bronze foliage and white, red or pink flowers.This attractive, compact flowering plant.

It has been popular in gardens since the Victorian era, and it is one of the most common plants in commercial cultivation today. Begonia Wax White Begonia Semperflorens is a tender herbaceous perennial, which is mostly grown as a garden annual. In cooler climates, it is grown as an annual. In tropical or subtropical climates, the wax begonia is a perennial plant that can grow to the size of a small shrub.
