Scarlet Begonia (Begonia Coccinea) Growing and Care
Scarlet Begonia (Begonia Coccinea) is a tropical plant that is native to South America. It is a member of the begonia family and is known for its beautiful red flowers.
The plant typically grows to be about two feet tall and has dark green leaves.
Scarlet Begonia is a popular plant for gardens and is often used as an accent plant.
Contents
Soil
Scarlet begonias are a beautiful addition to any garden, and their common soil composition is one of the reasons they are so easy to grow.
The exact soil composition of Begonias varies depending on the variety, but they all require well-drained, slightly acidic soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
The ideal soil mix for a Scarlet Begonia would be two parts peat moss to one part perlite or sand.
Scarlet begonias also require a good amount of organic matter in their soil, so be sure to add compost or manure to the planting area before adding the plants.
Watering
To ensure that your scarlet begonia gets the water it needs, you should water it regularly and deeply. Watering deeply means giving the plant enough water so that it can reach its roots.
This will help the plant to absorb more water and nutrients, and will also help to prevent the plant from becoming too dry.
If you are growing your scarlet begonia indoors, you should water it every week or two. If the plant is growing outdoors, you may need to water it more often, depending on the weather conditions.
In hot weather, the plant will need to be watered more frequently, while in cooler weather it will need to be watered less often.
When watering your scarlet begonia, be sure to use lukewarm water. This will help to prevent the plant from getting shocked.
Also, read about 43 types of popular indoor plants.
Sunlight
Scarlet begonias need at least four hours of direct sunlight each day to thrive.
If they don’t get enough sunlight, their leaves will start to turn yellow and they will eventually stop blooming.
If you’re growing them indoors, make sure to place them near a sunny window.
Temperature
The ideal temperature for a Scarlet Begonia is between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. However, they can tolerate temperatures as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Also, read about how to care for Begonia Maculata.
Humidity
The humidity level needed for a Scarlet Begonia depends on the time of year and the Begonia’s stage of growth. In the spring and summer, when the plant is actively growing, the humidity level should be around 40-50%.
During the fall and winter, when the plant is dormant, the humidity level can be lower, around 30-40%.
Also, read bout How to Pick the Best Plant Humidifier.
Fertilizer
To ensure that your Scarlet Begonia receives the nutrients it needs to thrive, you will need to use fertilizer on a regular basis.
The type of fertilizer you use will depend on Begonia’s stage of growth. For example, during the vegetative stage, a nitrogen-rich fertilizer will encourage leafy growth.
However, during the flowering stage, a phosphorus-rich fertilizer will promote more blooms.
It is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when applying fertilizer to your Begonia, as too much or too little can damage the plant.
Also, read about 10 types of begonia plants.
Repotting
It’s best to wait until early spring to repot a scarlet begonia. Begin by loosening the root ball and gently removing the plant from its current pot.
Inspect the roots and trim away any that are dead or damaged.
Choose a new pot that is only slightly larger than the root ball, and fill it with fresh potting mix.
Gently set the plant in the pot and fill in around the roots with more potting mix. Water well and place the pot in bright, indirect light.
Pruning
Pruning your Scarlet Begonia is an important part of plant maintenance.
By pruning, you can encourage new growth, remove dead or dying leaves and stems, and promote a fuller, healthier plant.
Here are some tips on how to prune your Scarlet Begonia:
- Start by removing any dead or dying leaves and stems. These can be identified by their brown or black coloration.
- Cut back any leggy or overgrown stems. These should be cut back to a healthy bud or node.
- Prune away any diseased or damaged leaves and stems. These can be identified by their discoloration or unusual growth patterns.
- Finally, shape your plant by trimming away any stray or unruly leaves and stems.
- This will give your Scarlet Begonia a neat and tidy appearance.
Propagating via Stem Cuttings
The best time to take stem cuttings from a scarlet begonia is in late summer or early fall.
Cut off a 4 to 6-inch section of stem that includes a leaf node (the point on the stem where a leaf is attached).
Make the cut just below a leaf node using a sharp knife or pruning shears.
Remove the lower leaves from the cutting, leaving two or three leaves at the top.
Dip the cut end of the stem into a rooting hormone powder, then tap off any excess. Fill a small pot with a well-draining potting mix.
Stick the cutting into the potting mix, making sure that at least one leaf node is buried. Water the potting mix well.
Place the pot in a bright location but out of direct sunlight. Keep the potting mix moist but not soggy. Roots should form within four to six weeks.
Once the roots have formed and the plant is growing well, you can transplant it into a larger pot or into the garden.
Propagation through Seeds
Scarlet begonias can be propagated by seed, but it is a slower process and does not produce an identical plant to the parent.
The ideal time to sow scarlet begonia seeds is in late winter or early spring. Start by soaking the seeds in water for 24 hours before planting.
Fill a seed tray or pot with a well-draining seed starting mix and make indentations in the soil with your finger.
Place 2-3 seeds in each indentation and cover with a thin layer of soil. Water the seeds gently and place the tray or pot in a warm, bright location.
Keep the soil moist but not soggy, and in 10-14 days the seeds should germinate.
Once the seedlings have two sets of true leaves, thin them out so that only the strongest seedling remains in each pot.
Transplant the seedlings into individual pots filled with a potting mix when they are 4-6 weeks old.
Blooms
Scarlet begonias typically bloom in late spring or early summer. However, depending on the variety, they may also bloom in late summer or early fall.
Diseases and Pests
Diseases and pests are a major concern when growing Scarlet Begonia. Some of the most common problems include powdery mildew, leaf spot, rust, and aphids.
These problems can often be controlled with proper care and treatment, but it is important to be aware of them in order to take preventive measures.
Powdery mildew is a type of fungus that can cause leaves to become covered in a white, powdery substance.
It is often caused by too much moisture or humidity.
To prevent powdery mildew, water your Scarlet Begonia in the morning so the leaves have time to dry before nightfall.
If powdery mildew does appear, treat it with a fungicide. Leaf spot is another fungal disease that can cause leaves to develop brown or black spots.
It is often caused by too much moisture or humidity, as well.
To prevent leaf spots, water your Scarlet Begonia in the morning so the leaves have time to dry before nightfall.
If a leaf spot does appear, treat it with a fungicide. Rust is a fungal disease that can cause reddish-brown spots on leaves.
It is often caused by too much moisture or humidity.
To prevent rust, water your Scarlet Begonia in the morning so the leaves have time to dry before nightfall.
If rust does appear, treat it with a fungicide. Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that can cause damage to leaves and flowers.
They are often controlled with insecticidal soap or other similar products.
Aphids can infect begonia plants on the undersides of their leaves. The fix, you need to cut the leaves that are attacked by lice.
Spray the part of the plant infested with aphids with pressurized water. You can use a mixture of 4 teaspoons of dish soap into 1 liter of water.
Spray on the part of the leaf that is attacked by fleas.
After a few hours, rinse the soapy liquid that hits the leaves so as not to damage the leaves.
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