How to grow Begonia in winter?

Begonia , also known as Begonia and Tiger Ear Begonia, has flowers in orange-red, peach-red, pink, white, etc., and has single or double petals. It has a very long flowering period and can bloom almost all year round, but is more abundant in late autumn, winter, and spring. So how do you grow Begonia in winter? Let’s take a look with the editor below.

1. Temperature

Begonia is not cold-resistant, so it should be moved indoors for maintenance in winter, keeping the temperature above 5°C, preferably around 10°C. If the indoor temperature is low, you can put a plastic bag over the plant to raise the temperature.

2. Lighting

Begonia needs plenty of light. In winter, you can place it in a well-lit place such as a balcony or window. If there is insufficient light indoors, you can use a plant light to supplement the light and ensure that the leaves are bright. Although it needs sufficient light, it should also be kept away from direct sunlight to prevent damage to the leaves. When the sun is strong at noon, you can provide appropriate shade or move the plant.

3. Reasonable watering

The growth rate of Begonia slows down in winter and the water consumption is not large, so the soil should be kept slightly moist to avoid waterlogging. When watering, you can adopt the principle of "water when dry and water when wet", that is, water after the soil in the pot is completely dry. Each time you water, make sure the soil is moist but not too wet. The best time to water is at noon on a sunny day. When watering, you should also make sure that the water temperature is close to the room temperature to avoid damage to the plants due to excessive temperature differences.

4. Apply fertilizer appropriately

Begonia has a lower demand for nutrients in winter, but you can apply a slow-release fertilizer once before winter to enhance its cold resistance. Fertilization can be suspended after winter, or water-soluble fertilizer with high phosphorus and potassium content can be used once every 10 days or half a month, but the fertilizer concentration should be low to avoid excessive fertilizer causing root burn.

5. Proper ventilation

Although winter is cold, we should also pay attention to proper ventilation to keep the indoor air circulating. You can choose to open doors and windows for ventilation when the weather is warm, but do not place the begonia in a windy place to avoid freezing.

6. Pest and disease control

In winter, it is easy to be attacked by pests such as aphids and red spiders. When pests and diseases are discovered, timely measures should be taken to prevent and control them. Pesticides can be used for spraying, or biological control methods can be adopted.

The above is an introduction to how to grow Begonia in winter. Begonia is loved by people for its lush flowers and bright colors. In the coldest time of winter, you can insert thin bamboo sticks into the potting soil as a support, and then cover the plant and the pot with a transparent plastic bag film, seal the bottom, and wait until the temperature rises before uncovering it.