Large Spotted Begonia

November 16, 2024 Post a Comment

Large spotted begonia

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.

What are large begonias called?

Tuberous Begonia Tuberous Begonias have large, bright flowers; one popular series is called Non-Stop due to the consistent blooming. Boliviensis begonias are also tuberous and have very different look, with long narrow leaves and long blooms.

Why is my Polka Dot Begonia so tall?

Polka Dot Begonia Maculata Light Requirements Without proper sunlight, Begonia Maculata will grow tall and spindly, and will not produce flowers. In order to keep their stunning foliage, give it the correct amount of bright indirect light.

How do you take care of a spotted begonia?

The Begonia Maculata loves bright, indirect light, but can also survive in slighter lower light situations. Never expose it to direct sunlight, because that will burn the leaves and dry them out. Water it once per week and add liquid fertilizer once every two weeks in the growing season.

Do spotted begonias grow fast?

They're a fast grower plant. Given ideal growing conditions, this begonia species will easily grow well. Although, there are ways to keep the plant's size down through judicial pruning of leaves and branches. A plant that gets leggy needs more exposure to light.

How long do polka dot begonias live?

Polka dot begonias don't live awfully long compared to many houseplants; on average they'll last for approximately three years. Even with the utmost proper care, polka dot begonias won't live much longer than two to three years.

How do you make spotted begonia Bushy?

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.

Do begonias like to be in bigger pots?

Begonias like to be root-bound, and can struggle if repotted too often. When it's time for repotting begonias, be certain to choose a container that is only one size larger than the current one. They can start to suffer if they're planted in a pot that's too large.

Can you cut back begonias when they get too tall?

Cutting back large, overgrown begonias may be necessary to restore them to their usual shape. Use clean, sharp shears or a knife to cut the stems back to a leaf node. Begonias can be cut back to within 3 inches of the soil to revitalize them, if necessary, but pinching and pruning is not the end of the story.

How long do begonias last as houseplants?

Most only live for 2 to 3 years, even with good care. Cane begonias such as angel wings go dormant if the temperature gets too cool.

How often should I water my spotted begonia?

Your Polka Dot Begonia will do the best bright indirect light. It will tolerate medium light but watch to make sure your plant does not become leggy and stretch for the sun. However, do not place in full sun, as the leaves can burn and dry out. Water when the top 50%-75% of the soil is dry.

Do begonias do better in full sun or shade?

They do best in situations with shade or morning sun/afternoon shade. Most varieties have flowers that hang down a little, making tuberous begonias ideal for hanging baskets and window boxes rather than garden beds and borders. No matter where you grow them, make sure they have good drainage to prevent rot.

Do begonias do better in pots or in the ground?

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.

Do begonias stay alive all year?

Many plants from tropical areas, such as most begonias, can live for years, but are often treated as annuals because they won't survive freezing winters outdoors. However, if you brought frost-tender begonias indoors, they would continue to grow so they aren't technically annuals.

How long does it take begonias to get big?

Expect to see growth in 3-6 weeks' time, depending upon your overall growing conditions. (Note: In zones 2-8, if you do not start Begonia tubers ahead of time indoors, you may only see minimal blooms late in the season.)

Where should I put my polka dot begonia?

The polka dot begonia needs a warm, bright spot and a constant temperature of no less than 15°C – more if possible. It does best in a humid environment, so growing it in a kitchen or bathroom is ideal. Alternatively, stand on a tray of moist pebbles.

Should I let my polka dot plant flower?

Polka dot plants bloom sporadically, typically during the summer, with small lilac or pink-colored flowers on spikes. Pinch off these flower spikes to keep the plant's energy focused on growing its vibrant foliage.

Do polka dot begonias go dormant in winter?

They can be a little tricky to water in the winter. Just water less and less often. The Polka Dot begonia doesn't go dormant, but it will slow down significantly over the winter.

Why is my polka dot Begonia leggy?

If the polka dot begonia gets too much sun, the leaves can burn and dry out. If your plant gets too little light, growth will slow down and get leggy.

Should I trim a leggy begonia?

Cut back the growing tips on begonias branches every 2 to 4 weeks or if your plants become leggy. The plant will produce new branches from the pinched point. Additional stems provide more opportunities for the begonia to create flowers.