I took a picture of my Begonias and I live in zone 5a can I put them outside when it gets warmer they look kind of small. I have been growing them in house all winter except a few I have had the talls one so I can I take them out for a while
Kim
Hi Kim,
I move most of mine outdoors with the exception of terrariums or special ones. They always seem to thrive outdoors (some I moved out last week are a little sunburned but they will come back - I thought I had enough shade but I guess not). The biggest problem is moving them back indoors where they seem to mope for the rest of the year.
I have a begonia that was introduced by a friend of mine and is only hardy to zone 7 and warmer. I have it in a really big pot, have had it in this pot for 2 yrs now. I have never taken it outside because I'm afraid white flies might attack it. It does great inside, in a NE window of our house. I was recently at my friends house in TN and he gave me a very small piece to plant outside just to see how it fares in zone 5. I haven't planted it yet though, since our last frost date hasn't reached us yet. Like hcmcdole, this begonia is very special to me, so it won't be going out.
terryr,
I didn't know Soddy Daisy was in zone 5. My parents are in Sparta and my sister and brother in law are in Cookeville and I thought they were in zone 6 or 7. White flies are not a problem for begonias - just mealy bugs, slugs, box turtles, rabbits, dogs, squirrels being chased by dogs, floods, drought, and falling branches. Begonias are a lot tougher than most people think.
Here are some of my dark leaf ones last Sep under the pines.
lol...Soddy Daisy isn't in zone 5! I went over to Gardens.com and wanted to try and edit an entry I had made down in TN, so I typed in our former zipcode. And now it has me in Soddy Daisy TN, zone 5. I just haven't gone and changed it yet ;) I live in N IL.
My luck, because this plant really does mean so much to me, is that white flies would find it mighty tasty. I've never had a problem with them until last year. I don't know the buggers bit! Your dark ones are absolutely lovely! Do you know what the name is on them? Mine is Kaylen, named after his granddaughter.
Okay that explains the zone 5 mystery.
White flies can be a major pain and they do attach certain plants - I had a time with them on lavatera and seems like it was brugmansia in the greenhouse but don't remember them ever bothering begonias.
The begonias shown in the picture are Joe Hayden (the biggest one), Bashful Bandit on the left, Black Velvet on the right, and Mo' Reese is the small one in front.
Here are some canes from two years ago.
I had them on everything last year and almost all of my plants are indigenous species. It was amazing to pull a weed and a million came up and flew in my face! I've never seen such an infestation! Black Velvet, just the name.....;) Very pretty!
