Begonia Time in Florida

Many gardeners don't use the begonias in their landscapes. At one time this was a prized plant but then they sort of lost favor. Maybe it is because they are cold sensitive or maybe they have not been available. Some just got tired of the wax begonias but there are many more types.

Begonias are a great plant for the warm to very hot weather. Only the wax begonias seem to survive the sunny spot but I don't think they even like it that much -- Often they brown around the edges and get very red to bronze in color. Most begonias do well in the filtered sun to shady locations. Here are a few tips to get the most from the many great begonias at your garden center.

Most seem to grow best in a container. This makes them mobile and they can be moved during the cold
Use a good potting soil in containers. Try to avoid soils that are mainly peat.
Keep the soil moist but avoid wet conditions.
Use a slow release fertilizer. This stretches the time between feeding so we don't forget.
Groom plants as needed to keep them compact and with many branches.

Begonias have few pests. Sometimes chewing insects stop by to feed but seldom need control. One chewing pest that may be an exception in the snail or slug. If needed, try one of the natural baits available from garden centers.

Lastly shop around. There are lots of begonias but you have to look for them. Plant shows are often a good place to find them. Try some of the different types in a shady spot to have summer foliage and color.