Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!!!
Secret to getting cane type begonias to flower?
Lots of light seems to do the trick for most canes. All the other ingredients used for growing plants in general sets the stage for flowering. Fertilizer, good watering techniques, warmth, and humidity ensures that the plant is healthy enough to set blooms.
A lot of it depends on exactly what cane begonia you have as well. For example: I've never had 'Cracklin Rosie' bloom, but 'My Special Angel' blooms all the time. Some flower a lot (genetic disposition?) while others are frugal. I've got several types blooming for me under lights now but they do so much more outdoors.
Check out the sticky thread for links to Brad's Begonia World. I think there may be some good tips there.
Thank you for replying!!! I have~ what I have always been told is an Angel Wing but after reading on this forum that is a broad term. Anyone who saw the plant wanted a cutting and I obliged. I am wondering if I was cutting off any blooming ends. Will follow the advice you have sent and hope for the best!
Sometimes just starting canes over reward you with lots of blooms. I don't know about pruning out blooms though (like hydrangeas and azaleas). I know that 'Lucerna' and 'Sophie Cecile' used to bloom reliably but haven't in the last few years so I started 'Lucerna' over this fall and probably will do the same to 'Sophie' this spring.
Some varieties that do well are 'Torch', 'Silvermist', 'Irene Nuss', 'Tom Ment', 'My Special Angel', 'Mary Ann Flunker', 'Albo-picta', 'Sinbad', 'Richmondensis', 'Medora', 'Lois Burk', and there is always 'Dragon Wings' which seems to bloom non-stop in spring, summer, and fall.
I find that a well maintained watering and feeding routine and moderate sun outdoors will produce plenty of blooms. Most cane types (Angel Wings) do not like direct hot sun. What works outdoors for me is placing them where they get morning sun and shade in the afternoon. Indoors I place them in a south facing window during the Winter and keep up the watering and feeding and will get blooms, but usually lighter in color from the Summer blooms.
A picture of my Lucerna is attached.
Looks good Gombasz. I find that most begonias can tolerate more sun than most advice floating around on the web. You must acclimate them though to take more sun when you are the temperate gardener (indoors to outdoors). In Miami at Fairchild Tropical Gardens I saw many begonias in noon sun with no ill effects. Whatever you do, do not place them in full sun to begin with. In pots, this is fairly easy by locating them in some shade to begin with and moving them to sunnier locations through the next two weeks or so. By late summer and early fall, I find that most of my begonias are in almost full sun where they put on the most growth in preparation for moving back indoors.
