When does the wax begonia bloom? How to make it bloom year-round and overwinter it safely
Wax begonia, also known as perpetual begonia, is a plant of the genus Begonia in the family Begoniaceae. Wax begonia is the most common and most widely cultivated species among begonias. So when does the wax begonia bloom? How do you make it bloom year-round? And what is the best way to care for it in winter? The details are organized as follows:
Which month does the wax begonia bloom
The flowering period is from December to May of the following year, and it is mostly used for potted plants and flowerbed decoration.
If you want the wax begonia to bloom on New Year's Day, cuttings should be taken for propagation in early to mid-April, and after getting through the summer, they should be planted out in mid-September and switched to open-air care in mid-October; if you want it to bloom at Spring Festival, sow in mid-August (from sowing to flowering takes 145 to 160 days), move them to open-air care in mid-October, and pot them for final planting in mid-November; to make the wax begonia bloom for “May Day”, sow seeds for propagation in mid-October at natural temperature; for cutting propagation (from cutting to flowering takes 120 to 150 days), do it under protected conditions in early to mid-December, and plant out in late February, but keep them warm to protect the seedlings. Using growth inhibitors can also promote flowering.
How to make the wax begonia bloom year-round
Choose suitable growing soil for the wax begonia in spring
The choice of growing soil is crucial for the wax begonia. For a wax begonia that blooms for a long time, the growing soil should be prepared from half leaf mold and half garden soil plus a small amount of river sand; of course, a small amount of bone meal can also be added as cake fertilizer, which can make the begonia grow more vigorously.
Potted wax begonia
Reasonable light and ventilation for the wax begonia in spring
In early spring, the wax begonia should be placed in a sunny spot on the balcony, and ventilation should be maintained and monitored at all times. Observe it frequently, and after some time, rotate the flower pot 180° in place.
After the late frost, the wax begonia should be moved to a position with only scattered sunlight. Do not water too much; keep it moist, and apply a dilute liquid fertilizer of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium once every 1-2 weeks.
Potted wax begonia needs to stay ventilated
Humidity is especially important for the wax begonia in summer
The wax begonia likes a warm and humid environment, and this should not be changed for it. During its growing period, it is most suitable to place it in a cool, ventilated place with scattered sunlight for care.
In summer, watering should be controlled, fertilization stopped, and yellowing of the leaves caused by sunlight should be prevented. Water should be sprayed daily on the leaves and the surrounding ground to ensure the surrounding humidity and to lower the temperature.
Wax begonia after watering
Appropriate fertilization for the wax begonia in autumn
After late autumn, place the wax begonia in a spot with partial light, strengthen the management of water and fertilizer, keep the potting soil sufficiently nutritious, and apply a fully rotted dilute liquid fertilizer of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium once every 7-10 days.
Maintaining room temperature for the wax begonia in winter
Indoor potted wax begonia
After winter arrives, the indoor temperature should be kept above 15°C, and the management of fertilizer and water should be strengthened so that the begonia can continue to bloom. At noon, it should be placed in a sunny spot on the balcony for light, which is beneficial for indoor development in winter.
How to care for the wax begonia in winter
The wax begonia is not cold-tolerant. If it can be cultivated indoors to overwinter, it will still be full of life and vitality, as refreshing as spring. After late autumn, the temperature gradually drops, and the growth of the wax begonia is also inhibited. It then enters a semi-dormant state, with no new branches or tender leaves and few flowers. When the temperature is even lower, there are sometimes continuous severe frosts. If household cultivation does not pay attention to keeping warm, there is a possibility of freezing to death. Therefore, before frost, the potted plants should be moved to a sunny place indoors.
When the indoor temperature is lower than 5°C, the potted plants should be moved at night to a table farther from the window so that the leaves do not freeze. During the day, move them back to a sunny spot on the windowsill. To make the plant grow evenly, the flower pot should be rotated frequently. If the indoor temperature drops to 0°C, cold protection measures should be taken: insert three or four thin bamboo sticks into the pot as a frame, then cover the pot with a transparent plastic film bag and seal the bottom opening. After the room temperature rises, many water droplets will form inside the bag; at this time, remove the plastic bag to avoid causing leaf rot. If there is indoor heating or a stove for warmth and the room temperature can be controlled above 15°C, the wax begonia will grow as usual and bloom continuously, but do not place the potted flowers too close to the stove or heating, so as to avoid scorching damage.