Begonias

by Cindee Mills on 03/21/12

I was out in the garage the other day and noticed that my begonias have already started sprouting.  I gave them a bit of water and brought them indoors to start growing.  When I can I will put them outside.  There are many varieties of begonia and most like it to be warm.  This will be the 3rd year that I have had these and they do very well outside producing beautiful red blooms. 
Here are a few tips for you begonia lovers (taken from eHow.com)......

• Give all begonias the bright sunlight of an eastern or southern window. For begonias grown for their foliage, such as rex begonias, the light should not be direct, but rather filtered with a transparent curtain or shaded by a tree outside the window. Flowering begonias, however, need several hours of direct sunlight.
• Provide a stable temperature for begonias. Begonias are sensitive to rapid fluctuations in temperature and therefore must be kept away from drafts. As long as the temperature is constant and aboveWater begonias between once a week and once every two weeks. You must take care not to over water a begonia because too much water can cause the plants to rot. Monitor the dampness of the potting mix and when you can stick your finger into the potting mix and not feel any moisture, it's time to water.
• Keep begonias in small pots. Begonias have small root systems and do not need repotting frequently. However, every spring pull the root ball out of the pot and check to see if the roots have completely wrapped around the bottom of the pot. If they have, upgrade the begonia plant to the next size pot.
• Move flowering begonias outside during the spring, summer and fall months if you can create the right conditions for them. Flowering begonias enjoy a shady porch as long as the temperature does not fall below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Begonias growing outside do need more frequent watering, so take care to check the soil often.
  
  Read more: How to Care for a Begonia | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2098795_care-begonia.html#ixzz1pnzschTT