Latest Prices for Wax Begonia Seeds and a Detailed Guide to Growing Them

Wax begonia, also known as perpetual begonia or fleshy begonia, is a succulent herbaceous plant of the genus Begonia in the family Begoniaceae. It is very likely to become one of the most important bedding flowers in our country, with advantages such as a neat, rounded plant shape, abundant and dense flowers, great ease of combining with other bedding plants, and a long ornamental period, and is therefore becoming more and more popular. Now let us take a look together at the price of wax begonia seeds and how to grow them!

How much do wax begonia seeds cost?

The price of wax begonia seeds is about 0.6 to 1 yuan per bag, with each bag containing 20 seeds, but prices vary slightly depending on seed quality, variety, market and purchase quantity. The wax begonia has a graceful plant form, glossy dark green leaves and exquisite, delicate flowers, and is widely loved by the public. It has been grown as a potted ornamental for a thousand years. Placed on a table in the cold season, it can fill a room with the feeling of spring, and placed on a balcony or under the eaves in spring and summer it shows even more lively vitality. Begonias are propagated by sowing, cuttings, division and other methods.

How do you sow wax begonia seeds?

1. Substrate selection: For sowing wax begonia, choose a shallow pot with strong air permeability and water permeability. The substrate should be loose and fertile, and can be mixed from leaf mold, rice husk ash and garden soil, then exposed to strong sunlight or sterilized at high temperature, and after screening the coarse and fine parts should be separated.

2. Pre-sowing treatment: The sowing container for wax begonia should be washed clean, the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot should be covered with a clean tile, coarse substrate should be placed in the lower half of the pot and fine substrate in the upper half, then the pot should be placed in a water reservoir, and sowing can be done once the potting soil is moist.

3. Sowing time: Wax begonia is generally sown from September to March of the following year, and sowing from December to January of the following year is ideal, because at this time the temperature is low, room temperature is easy to control, pests and diseases are not easy to breed and spread, and the seedlings grow vigorously.

4. Sowing method: Mix wax begonia seeds with fine garden soil and scatter them evenly over the surface of the pot. No soil covering is needed. Cover with glass to keep in moisture and place in a cool, ventilated place. At 15 to 22°C, they will germinate in a week.

5. Seedling management: About one month after wax begonia seedlings emerge, when they have two true leaves, carry out the first pricking out, using the same soil as for sowing. Later, a second pricking out can be carried out according to growth. For final planting, the potting soil should be mixed with dried manure or fertile soil.

How to grow wax begonia

1. Potting soil: The ideal potting soil for wax begonia is a mixture of river sand, leaf mold and tree fern fiber. A potting soil made by mixing equal amounts of humus soil, rice husk ash and garden soil, with an appropriate amount of barnyard manure, bone meal or superphosphate added, will also do.

2. Temperature: In the hot midsummer season, wax begonia should be protected from strong direct light and measures should be taken to lower the temperature, creating a small environment below 30°C for its care. In winter, as long as the temperature is kept above 10°C, it can overwinter safely.

3. Watering: Wax begonia likes a moist environment, but in the hot summer it is better for the potting soil to be slightly moist. Do not fix a schedule of watering several times a day or once every few days. Always observe the wet and dry condition of the potting soil, and water as soon as the potting soil turns pale.

4. Light: Wax begonia likes a mild climate and a moist environment. In hot periods it needs to be placed in a place with light shade and coolness. In winter, when temperatures are low, it needs sufficient light. In early spring it can receive direct sunlight, and as sunlight intensity increases it must be shaded appropriately.

5. Fertilizing: During the growing season, apply a dilute liquid fertilizer about once every 10 days to wax begonia. In summer and winter, when growth is slow, apply less or stop fertilizing, to avoid rot caused by tender stems and leaves and reduced heat and cold resistance.

6. Pests and diseases: Wax begonia diseases include leaf spot and bacterial diseases, which should be controlled with thiophanate, chlorothalonil, jinggangmycin and the like. Pests are mainly various pests that harm leaves and stems, including slugs, thrips and leaf miners, and should be treated with targeted pesticides.

7. Pinching: Like jasmine, Chinese rose and other flowers, wax begonia must have spent flowers trimmed and be pinched in time after blooming to encourage more branching and more flowering. Otherwise the plant tends to grow thin and long, the plant shape is not very attractive, and it blooms less.

Notes on wax begonia

1. Commercial cultivation of wax begonia all uses sowing for propagation. When buying seedlings, choose seedling plants with large, complete basal leaves and buds or branches in the leaf axils. Such seedlings have characteristics such as strong growth vigor, many branches and abundant flowers.

2. Wax begonia is sensitive to cold. Before Frost's Descent, move the pot indoors to a sunny spot facing south. When a cold wave arrives, it can be covered with a plastic bag, and the next day after the sun comes out the cover can be removed. It must not be placed next to a heater, otherwise the leaves will be scorched.

3. In summer, wax begonia pots should be placed in a cool, ventilated place, with the temperature controlled below 30°C, and must not be exposed to strong direct light or suffer sunscald. Keep the potting soil appropriately dry and moist; too wet makes roots rot easily, and too dry makes leaves wilt

4. When wax begonia flower buds form, apply additional quick-acting phosphorus and potassium fertilizer to make the flowers vivid. For watering, master the rule of watering thoroughly when dry, and pay attention to maintaining humidity. Frequently spray water on the leaves, especially in hot summer and dry winter. In summer and winter, slightly drier conditions are better.