I have been given a begonia for indoors; however, it is so packed, the flowers are under the leaves. Can you thin out these plants?
Yes, you can cut back a Begonia.
Use clean tools to trim the branches back to just above a healthy set of leaves.
Trim or pinch back the stems to create a nice and compact shape.
You can pinch leggy stems to promote branching.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/pinching-plant.htm
My beautiful begonia has been sitting above the kitchen sink since late May. I just discovered there are white to grey spots on many of the leaves. How can I treat it and keep it in the house? Or should I just dispose of it? It is still warm enough at night here (Colorado) that I can leave it outside right now, but did hope to keep the plant in the house during the winter.
You can spray the plant with Neem Oil.
Use it weekly until the problem clears up. Neem Oil is safe for people and pets.
Here is a link with more information.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm
I have some begonias which are flowering prolifically and I am leaving North Idaho for the winter. We are leaving our plants inside near a window at around 50 degrees, using 2 radiator type heaters. Should I just let the begonias be and have a friend water once a week? I hate to cut them back, as they are so beautiful. In the photo, the red and yellow flowers are the begonias. In the back is a hanging Dahlia. I am also wondering what to do with my Dahlias. Can I just put them inside and hope for the best? The sun room in the photo is not heated, so they won't be in there. Thanks, Devon.
Most types of begonias will probably do fine with this plan. But since you won't be there to enjoy them, an easier option for both your begonias and dahlias is to let them go dormant for the winter. If you know the type of begonia you have, look up its winter dormancy preferences.
To let them go dormant, you can either dig up the tubers/rhizomes after the foliage has faded and store them in a dark, dry location, or bring the pot indoors and place it in a dark, dry, cool but not freezing location. Stop watering them to allow dormancy.
I'm not really a flower person, but I was given a begonia when I moved into my new apartment and I'm trying to care for it. I've been watering it all spring and summer and it has been growing and blooming. Last night I noticed that the nighttime low was 42 degrees (I think in the 40s for the first this fall) and that I had no idea what to do in the winter. I did some googling and realized I don't even know what species or type of begonia I have. I felt around in the dirt and didn't feel any obvious tubers. My questions are these: 1) What species and type of begonia do I have? 2) How do I take care of it for the winter? What do I need to do right now? 3) Do you think its still alive after the cold last night? I noticed the soil was still very wet even though it hadn't been watered in days. I kept it sitting on a rack outside so all excess water can drain freely.
You have a Wax Begonia. Many people grow these as an outdoor annual plant, but you can winter your plant indoors.
Dead head the spent blossoms and follow the care information in the link below.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/begonia/annual-begonia-care.htm
Last year I sent away for some Begonia tubers and was very pleased with the display of the blooms. I have one tuber that is 6 inches long and 4 inches wide. Is it possible to cut it in half to make two? They are already stored for the winter.
As this article explains, it is difficult to divide begonia tubers successfully, and a more reliable method is to make cuttings when the plant is growing:
http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/yard-garden/flowers/tuberous-begonias/
I am putting away the begonia bulbs for the winter and find that the original bulb now has accretions of other bulb-like things on it. Are these like glads that can be separated and used to grow other begonias?
It is possible but can be difficult to divide the tubers of tuberous begonias:
http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/yard-garden/flowers/tuberous-begonias/
A more reliable way is to propagate begonias from cuttings:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/begonia/begonia-propagation.htm
What is earliest time begonia tubers can be planted in heated greenhouse? Beginning of March?
If you have a greenhouse you can start your tubers anytime. It can take up to 3 months for your tuber to flower.
Many gardeners start their plants 1 month before the last frost date of your growing zone.
This link will help you determine this date and your growing zone.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/planting-zones/
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/begonia/growing-begonias-from-corms.htm