Why didn't my begonias get bigger?

8 years ago

I planted these regular old wax begonias at the end of May. They are on the north side of my yard and get some morning sun, some afternoon sun and the rest shade. Everywhere I go around here, begonias are big, have spread and are beautiful. These look healthy and flower all the time; just didn't spread much.

The only thing I can think of is they don't get a lot of water. They are the absolute farthest in the yard from the hose, so I don't get over there much. They only get rain and occasional lawn sprinkler. Also, I spaced them about 12" apart when I planted them -- is that too far?

Featured Answer

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

8 years ago

you would only end up fert'g the trees.. which would make them even more of a problem.. root wise ....

when in SE MI ... llivonia .... there were few places i could grow WBs unless they were out of hot afternoon sun ... and in fact.. the favored place for them was in pots with bulb begonia .... on the patio on the north side of the house ... full bright shade .. and they were kept very moist ... until fall.. when i had to let the pots dry to harvest the bulbs for winter storage ... by which time.. the plants had been frosted ....

there should be plants that can compete with the arbs .... i just dont think WB were the best choice.. live and learn ... next year.. something else ...

ken

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Comments (7)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
8 years ago
tough year in MI with high heat.. and extended drought for most of the area ...

this is a water hog plant .... great for pots that get a lot of watering ....

im wondering if your large-ish trees are out competing them for available water ....

before frost or freeze .....i used to take cuttings and root them for indoors in winter ... and usually sometimes in late in jan.. i would tkae new cuttings ... and when those rooted .... i would throw the old ones out the back door into the snow.. lol ..

it wasnt really about keeping some valuable plant alive over a MI winter.. it was more about just having a plant indoors ...

ken
rob333 (zone 7b)
8 years ago
Ditto what ken said. Not enough water.
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susanzone5 (NY)
8 years ago
Did you fertilize them at all?
stir_fryi SE Mich
Original Author
7 years ago
The year before I tried NG impatiens -- same thing, bloomed all the time but never got much bigger (and they were a fortune). Might try regular impatiens this year -- even if they underperform at least they are cheap.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
7 years ago
so you are again.. going to try a plant that needs shade in july and august ... when they cant suck up enough water .. under trees that steal all the water ...

try a geranium or two.. just to try something different ... plz ....

in fact ... sine you have a long space ... try a 4 pack of 5 different things ... and find out what works.. why all of just one single plant anyway ... its the old monoculture issue.. when one type fails .. they all do ... ergo ... diversify.. until you find the one thing that works ...

ken
rob333 (zone 7b)
7 years ago
Again, I ditto what ken said ;)

Experimentation time! Try it all. You might be surprised.