Begonias are a beautiful addition to any garden, but if you don’t prune them properly, they can become overgrown and leggy. Learn how to prune begonias for optimal growth so that your plants stay healthy and look their best.
Checkout this video:
Pruning Begonias
While begonias are not typically high-maintenance plants, they do require occasional pruning in order to promote optimal growth. Pruning also encourages more blooms, which can be a major selling point if you’re hoping to sell your begonias at a farmer’s market or nursery. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to prune your begonias.
Pruning for shape
To encourage a bushier plant with more blooms, prune your begonias in the spring by pinching off the growing tips of the main stems. This will cause the plant to branch out and become fuller. You can also trim back any straggly branches to tidy up the plant’s shape.
Pruning for size
Pruning for size is best done in late spring or early summer, after the plant has flowered but before it sets seed. For most varieties, cutting the main stem back by a third to a half will encourage bushier growth. You can also cut back any side shoots that are longer than about 4 inches (10 cm).
If you want to reduce the size of a begonia that is already too large for its space, you can do so by pruning it quite hard. Cut the main stem back to about 6 inches (15 cm) above ground level, and remove any side shoots that are longer than about 2 inches (5 cm). This will drastically reduce the plant’s size, but it will also cause it to produce less flowers.
Pruning for health
Begin by removing any dead, diseased or damaged leaves and stems. This will help the plant to direct its energy towards healthy growth. Cut back any leggy or straggly stems to promote fuller, bushier growth. Pinching back the tips of stems will also encourage side branching and a fuller plant. If your begonia has become too large or overgrown, you can cut it back by one-third to one-half its size. This may seem like a lot, but begonias are very resilient and will quickly bounce back.
The Benefits of Pruning Begonias
Pruning your begonias can help them to grow fuller and more dense. It can also help to encourage more blooming. If you are looking for ways to get the most out of your begonias, then read on to find out more about the benefits of pruning them.
Pruning improves air circulation
One of the most important benefits of pruning your begonias is that it helps to improve air circulation around the plant. Good air circulation is essential for begonias to thrive, as it helps to prevent fungal diseases from developing on the leaves and stem. If you live in an area with high humidity, then it’s even more important to make sure that your plant has good air circulation.
Pruning encourages new growth
Pruning is a gardening technique that involves the selective removal of plant parts. It can be used to improve the appearance of a begonia, to remove damaged or diseased tissue, or to encourage new growth.
There are two main types of pruning: deadheading andheading back. Deadheading is the process of removing spent blooms from a begonia plant. This encourages the plant to produce new flowers and can improve its overall appearance. Heading back involves pruning back stems to encourage the plant to produce new growth. This can be beneficial if a begonia is becoming leggy or if you want to encourage bushier growth.
Pruning should be done in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. With proper care, pruned begonias should begin blooming in late spring or summer.
Pruning helps to control pests and diseases
Pruning also helps to control pests and diseases. By pruning away infested or diseased parts of the plant, you can help to prevent the spread of these problems.