Wax Begonia in Hanging Baskets

Begonias are great for both hanging baskets and hanging planters alike.

Two popular types of begonias are tuberous begonias and the wax, or semperflorens begonias.

While wax begonias could be considered less flamboyant than tuberous begonias, they are so easy to grow and flower for such long periods that they have become one of the most popular garden annuals grown in the U.S. These Begonias feature attractive succulent foliage from greens to bronze and small bright waxy-textured blooms – in red, white or pink.

New double varieties are now also becoming available – one of these new varieties that we think are just superb is the Gum Drop™ series from Proven Selections.
 

Wax begonias are ideal in planters and hanging baskets as they tolerate both full sun and part shade. These bushy, compact tender perennials have fibrous roots and are usually treated as annuals except in Zone 10 and warmer. Wax begonias will tolerate hot humid conditions well.

While you can grow these begonias from seed – their seed is so fine, it is almost dust-like. Seeds also need to be started 5-6 months before transplanting – so unless you are an avid seed raiser, it may be better to purchase your wax begonias from your local nursery or garden center. Plants can be propagated fairly easily from cuttings.

Seedlings and young plants grown in greenhouses will not tolerate any amount of frost – so give them time to harden off before planting your hanging basket,  hanging planter or window box.

Use a good rich soil that contains lots of organic matter. Soil should also be amended with Angel Moss Marbles or Moisture Crystals so as to help your basket or planter retain moisture.

Wax begonias in hanging baskets and planters require good drainage. For ideal growing conditions, daytime temperatures should be between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. As outlined wax begonia will not tolerate frosty conditions – they will turn brown, rot and collapse. So set your basket or planter out after the last frost in the spring and bring them inside in the fall – yes they can be over-wintered – see below. In non-frost areas, wax begonias can be left outside and grown as a shrub

Depending on the variety, Wax Begonia can grow up to a foot tall with a six to 12 inch spread. The plant's waxy leaves are more than just decorative - they actually service reduce water loss in hot weather, making Wax Begonia more tolerant of drought.

How to Grow an Wax Begonia Hanging Basket

You'll need:  Organic Compost, Spray or Misting Bottle, Angel Moss Marbles, Pruning Shears, your trowel, your hanging basket or planter, and some good slow release fertilizer.  Then

1. Select a site where your begonia basket will receive bright, indirect light or diffused sun and will be protected from strong winds.
2. Then take your hanging basket or planter, fill with a good potting mix. Then amend the soil with Angel moss marbles or another soil moisture amendments – like crystal rain.
3. As begonias are shallow rooted, your soil amendments only need to be incorporated into the existing soil to a depth of 8 to 10 inches – so just gently mix them into the topsoil of your basket by hand.
4. Now it’s time to plant your begonias. Look for rooted cuttings or plants in 4-inch pots – these can usually be found at any good garden centre. Plant your plants about 6 inches apart.
5. Using an Angel Moss Lined basked and then side planting it is a good way to achieve a ball or color – for more on side planting click here.
6. Water immediately after planting to settle the soil around the roots and let your hanging basket or hanging planter settle for a few days. By this we mean place it in a warm and sunny spot sheltered from all wind so that the roots can get themselves established – this is particularly important if you have side planted your hanging basket.
7. Ensure you keep the soil evenly moist throughout the growing season (spring - fall); reduce water in the winter. While they will tolerate drying out – it is best not to place this stress on your plants.
8. Fertilize with a slow release product for best results. Slow release products vary in application rates, so read the label carefully. Begonias thrive on a continuous source of nutrients.
9. Protect your begonias from any frost. Cover or bring indoors until the danger of frost is past. Unlike tuberous begonias, there is nothing below the ground except roots - no tuber or bulb to support the plant over the winter. If the foliage freezes to the ground, you will lose the plant.

You can propagate begonias from stem cuttings in the spring. Cuttings should have at least 4 leaf joints, two of which will be planted underground. Remove the bottom leaves and add a rooting hormone to encourage new roots to grow from the leaf joints.
Place cuttings in a clean pot filled with loose, rich soil and cover with a clear plastic bag to retain moisture. Mist inside the bag once a week, or when the soil feels dry to the touch.
 

Begonias worth considering for hanging basket and planters include:
Begonia convolvulacea – Climber or drooper with strong stems thickly covered with light-green pointed leaves; white flowers.
Begonia glabra (scandens) – Will dangle or climb a totem. Plentiful small, shiny green leaves; small white flowers.
Begonia limmingheiana – Moderately large green leaves, coral-red flowers in tight clusters.
Begonia macrocarpa (secreta) – Slim, tough, dark leaves with pointed tips; clusters of pale-pink flowers.
Begonia manni (emini) – The “rose begonia,” with roselike leaves and nontypical pink flowers more like a fuchsia than begonia.
Begonia sanguinea – Leathery, waxed, red-lined leaves with a masculine look; white flowers. A handsome basket plant.

Over-wintering Your Hanging Basket of Begonias

When bringing plants indoors from an outdoor garden area there are some basic do’s and don’ts to consider. The first priority is to make sure your plants are free of insects or disease before bringing them in for the winter. Indoor conditions are very stressful to most plants and when plants are stressed they are more susceptible to insects and diseases.

So before you bring your hanging baskets in for the winter you may want to give your begonias a good looking over, it will save you problems later in the winter when you may not want to use chemicals indoors. Indoor conditions are generally lower light than outdoors, so your begonias will have to adjust to lower light levels, sometimes they can do this easily and sometimes they must drop their outdoor leaves and grow new leaves that are better adapted to interior conditions.

Plan for some leaf drop until plants become established again. All Begonias need bright filtered light when brought indoors and can sometimes be grown in full sun but be careful not to burn plants by exposing them to bright sun if they were grown in the shade previously. T he inside of your house is also very dry due to your heating system which removes water from the air as it heats the air in your house.

You can make life a lot easier for your plants if you provide a source of humidity for your plants. Many people mist their indoor plants and while this helps it only lasts for a short period. A better long term solution is the use of a pebble tray under your hanging basket where water can be added as it evaporates to keep the humidity higher. A pebble tray is simply a container that holds water filled with pebbles so that your plants sit on the pebbles and not in the water itself, water evaporates around the plant a creates a small “greenhouse” effect.

In addition to Wax Begonia’s another type of begonias ideally suited for growing in hanging baskets or planters are the dragon and angel-wing begonias with linger arching stems then wax begonias, stems that will drip with outrageously large clusters of brilliant flowers.

Angel wing begonias' spotted foliage adds texture and color baskets and planters and their pendulous clusters of flowers delight gardeners everywhere.

They can be planted directly into hanging baskets or planters and grow easily from seeds or cuttings.

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