Mid-Atlantic Gardening: END OF SEASON FLOWERS!!!! SEPTEMBER 2014, 1 by Gitagal

Gitagal wrote:
Duanna---

My AW Begonia has lived here, year after year, for probably 25-30 years.
Every spring--as I am about to put it outside--I cut off all the long canes
pretty far down. Every 2 or 3 years--I take it out of its pot (at this time)
and get rid of the older, weathered roots and pot back the healthy ones in fresh soil.

Itr always sits in the same spot by my front door. It never gets any sun--but it
is very bright shade. My house faces NNE. I keep it next to the bug Hemlock which
blocks any AM sun it would get.
In the winter--it comes into my spare BR and gets so-so sunlight. The lower leaves
drop and the long canes thrive with leaves on top.

Usually, I do not cut these canes down until I take it outside--but this past winter--
maybe around February--I cut them all back as there were other plants that needed light.

It immediately started re-growing new leaves. I did not like that--but I had to allow it.
The new leaves had grown quite tall already by the time I put it outside.
I believe this is why it is blooming this year. Usually--it never blooms--as all the tops
of the stems have been cut back. Having the leaves re-growing inside must have
been the trick to it blooming so beautifully this summer. Believe me--it is a treat!!!

That's it! No other magic. I also never fertilize it...I think next year will be a more serious
re-potting. New, bigger pot--root-pruning--Osmacote in the soil, etc...
It still grows in the same dilapidated green pot it has been in forever.

Some people allow the long canes to stay on the plant all through the year--I never do.
I think they are ugly! Perhaps those people are afraid to cut them back to nubs.

No other magic----I have told you the whole story.

Tell me what you do with your AW begonia season to season? Lets compare notes.

Gita