I have recently purchased a couple of begonias a few weeks ago. Was told not to repot them as this is the blooming season. I knew this when I bought it. Sorry babbling. I was wondering is there any way to fix a begonia that has split at the base and one branch has died and the other is hanging on by a thread. Can I repot the the root stock and start over or do I have to just cut my losses and buy a new one?
From time to time you will be forced to give your begonia a "haircut" reshaping. Always cut injured or brown plant material out with sharp sizzers, the stalks are tougher than they look. Clear cuts also prevent from damaging the other leaves and new growth.
No frost has occurred. I go south for the winter and with the warmer seasons we do not experience frost before we leave, yet I need to dig up our lilies, begonias and dahlias soon if I am going to get them properly dried.
When/how should snowbirds dig up tender rhizomes and bulbs to store indoors for the winter when there is no leaf killing frost before they leave? Same problem occurs re mulching perennials?
They can be easily lifted with a garden fork or spade shovel prior to the complete die out of their foliage. Break up the clumps and separate the bulbs, allowing them to dry out some before storing, usually about a week or two in a cool, dry area. Then, clip off foliage, shake off any remaining soil and pack the bulbs in dry peat moss or wood shavings inside a brown paper bag or cardboard box. Place them in a dark area with cool room temperatures, like a basement, until spring.
Early this year my tuberous begonia split. I grew one piece in water over the summer. How do I go about planting that piece now and can I winter it if it doesn't really have a tuber, as it only has roots?
Just go ahead and plant your cutting in a potting mix with good drainage - a cactus mix with perlite added 1/2 & 1/2 would be fine. Put the pot where it will receive several hours a day of sun; you can use electric light to supplement if you need to. Keep the humidity up as high as possible with pebble trays, and lots of other plants. This article has more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/begonia/begonias.htm
I have some beautiful angel and devil begonias that have done well outside and moved them into my unheated room to the south and west. Does it have to be "warm" for them?
It doesn't have to be warm, but the temp should stay above 45F. Begonias are tropical plants. Here's a resource you might find interesting: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/begonia/
When can I purchase annual begonias, and do you sell them?
These are normally available at most garden centers and plant nurseries in the spring. We do not sell them, but can help you with information on growing these plants: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/begonia/annual-begonia-care.htm
I have a beautiful silver mist begonia and the leaves are droopy and turning yellow. What do I need to do? I think it is a silver mist begonia. Some, in pictures, look so much alike. This plant was outside on front porch (facing west) and doing very good. Now it is in my kitchen window also facing west and gets good light (afternoon sun).
You may think your plant has good light, but compared to what it was used to on the front porch, it's now in semi-darkness. That's probably the major part of its problem. Secondly, it will be using much less water (because it has much less light,) so you may be keeping the soil too wet. Begonias don't like wet soil. Before watering, test the soil moisture. A moisture meter should read around 3/4 of the way between dry and moist. Here's more information about testing soil moisture: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/testing-moisture-in-plants.htm
In the future, if you take a few weeks to acclimate the plant to lower light, you'll probably have fewer problems. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/hpgen/acclimate-plants-indoors-winter.htm
I am growing begonias from corms for the first time. I have mixed all purpose compost with sharp sand, watered them and put in propagator. How often should I water?
You'll only need to water, lightly, if the planting medium gets dry, so you should feel it with your fingers daily. If it gets to the point where medium pinched between your fingers doesn't stick together, you can spray it gently with water from a spray bottle. No way to tell you a "how often" rule, it depends on so many variables. Here's an article on growing begonias that you might find useful: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/begonia/growing-begonias-from-corms.htm