The begonia genus includes a fantastically varied cast of thousands, but none catch the imagination more than the cane-stemmed group with their their tough, bamboo-style canes, dappled leaves and lovely flower clusters. The extra height provided by the cane stem makes these begonias useful background plants in the garden. Some generations back, cane begonias were called "angel wing" because of the recognizable, wing-shaped leaves. These lovely plants appreciate dappled sunshine and, given a location with good indirect light, can bloom all year long in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 10.
Pinch the tips of angel wing begonias during the growing season. Tip-pinching stops a branch from growing too long rather than cause it to branch. This encourages growth of new canes from the base of the plant. The canes rarely branch out, according to the American Begonia Society.
Prune your shade begonias for size and maintenance in spring during its third growing season. Using clean garden clippers, remove the three largest canes at ground level. Opening the plant structure allows in air and light to the center of the angel wing begonia.
Remove several other begonia canes at ground level. Do not concentrate on any one side of the plant, but select canes to remove in a natural pattern. Include any diseased or damaged stems. Prune up to one-third of the total canes of the plant.
Things You Will Need
- Garden clippers
- Most begonias need good-draining, fertile soil and some shade or sun protection during the hot afternoons.
- Powdery mildew can afflict the angel wing begonia plant in winter. An attack makes the begonia look terrible but does not usually prove fatal. Spray the begonia on a weekly basis with a solution of 1 tablespoon of baking soda and 2 1/2 teaspoons of summer oil to 1 gallon of water. Summer oil is a petroleum-based product that preventing the fungus from penetrating into begonia tissue.
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