Begonias are attractive plants for your yard and garden. They also make great house plants. If you grow or need to repot your begonias, bench potting is a process that you will want to get involved in. A potting bench, whether it is a cedar potting bench or one of the many other types of potting benches that are available, will save you time and convenience.
Begonias are sometimes grown for their ornamental leaves, while others are grown for their flowers. Some begonias bloom in summer, other varieties bloom in winter, while only a few will flower all year round. Begonias are found wild, chiefly in South and Central America, though many are native plants of India and other tropical and subtropical climates. They belong to the family Bergoniaceae and named after a Frenchman, M. Michel Begon.
Three Different Types of Begonias and a Description of each
1. Tuberous-rooted Begonias
Tuberous begonias get their name from having large underground tubers. These plants have been crossbreed between several varieties. There are many varieties available with singe, double, and semi-double flowers in almost every color you can imagine, with the exception of blues. The flowers on the tuberous begonias also vary a great deal. They come with frilled leaves, while others are crested. They have stout, fleshy stems about 15 in. In height, and large, deep green, glossy leaves. The stems and leaves are of annual duration and die down in autumn. The underground tuber rests during the winter, and sends up new shoots in the spring. This will vary depending on the climate that you have in your regional area.
2. Fibrous-rooted Begonias
Fibrous begonias includes many free flowering ones that are very popular in flower beds each summer. Of these varieties, are the wax begonias. The wax begonias do very when planted in beds or in container pots. They grow an average of 12 inches high, has evergreen, roundish leaves, and bears clusters of pick, white, and red flowers, according to their specific variety. It is more or less a perpetual blooming plants with most of its flowering taking place in the summer months. Fibrous begonias can be propagated from seeds as well as cuttings.
3. Begonias with ornamental leaves
Begonia have some very striking varieties with very ornamental and unusual leaves. Begonia Rex and its hybrids and varieties are the most well known and are grown mainly for the beauty of their foliage. They have short rhizomes or root-stocks, from which arise long-stalked, ovate, wrinkled leaves averaging 6 in. In diameter. The leafstalks, veins, and in some varieties the upper surfaces of the leaves, are covered with fine hairs. The leaves are marked with silver and green, light and dark green, red and green, purple and green, and many other variations.
The next time you visit a greenhouse be sure to ask to take a look at begonias. I think you will love to see all of the varieties, colors, and shapes that are available. You will love them!