How to Grow Wax Begonia Flowers From Seed
Wax begonias, Begonia semperflorens, can be found in gardens across America as seasonal bedding or container plants. Typically growing 6 to 12 inches tall, these begonias have succulent, waxy leaves and small flowers in shades of red, pink and white. Wax begonias bloom from late spring until frost, but the plants can brought inside for the winter in colder climates. You can grow wax begonias from cuttings or -- if you like a challenge -- start them from their minute seeds in January and transplant the seedlings into your garden in May or June, when the temperatures warm. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- 1 1/2-inch pots
- Soil-less potting mix
- Liquid fertilizer
- Plant mister
- Plastic bags or clear plastic container with lid
Instructions
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Fill your 1 1/2-inch pots with soil-less potting mix, such as one containing peat moss and perlite. Press it gently into the pots, leaving 1/4 inch below the rim for watering. Water the pots with a liquid fertilizer solution applied at quarter-strength, recommends the American Begonia Society.
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Pour the tiny seeds from the packet carefully onto the surface of each 1 1/2-inch pot. Don't cover the seeds with the potting mix. Moisten the pots with a plant mister to dampen the seeds.
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Cover each pot with a plastic bag or put them into a clear plastic container with a tight-fitting lid. Line the bottom of the box with paper towels to absorb and evenly distribute the moisture, recommends the American Begonia Society.
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Position the pots 12 inches below fluorescent lights. Leave the lights on round-the-clock, recommends the University of Florida IFAS Extension. The seeds will germinate in a week or two if the temperatures are kept around 70 degrees.
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Water the wax begonia seedlings if the soil dries out. Place the pots in a tray, then add water to to tray so the plants will soak up the water from the bottom of the pots.
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Transplant the wax begonia seedlings to larger, individual pots when they have at least four true leaves -- not counting the first pair that emerge. Place the pots in a tray and loosely cover them with plastic to keep in the humidity. Water them as needed by adding water to the tray.
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Gradually remove the plastic to harden off the wax begonia plants. Move them into larger pots if necessary before it's warm enough to plant them outdoors. When the danger of frost is past in late spring and temperatures are warm enough, move the plants outside to a sheltered area for a few hours each day. Gradually increase the time spent outside until they are acclimated to the outdoors.
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Plant your wax begonias eight to 10 inches apart in a garden spot with rich, well-drained soil that receives full sun or part shade.
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