Which Begonias Tolerate Hot Sun?

Types

• One of the best types of begonias to grow in full, direct sunlight is the bronze-leafed wax begonia. This begonia type can tolerate hot sun, while most others will burn if the sunlight is too intense or hot. Wax begonias belong to the hybrid species Begonia x semperflorens-cultorum and they come in both green and bronze foliage colors. Select the wax begonias with the bronze-colored leaves for the best results when growing in full sun. These begonias are cold-hardy, drought-tolerant, bushy plants that bloom throughout the summer in small white, pink or red flowers. Unlike the tuberous begonias, wax begonias have fibrous roots. Cultivated varieties, or cultivars, of wax begonias that have bronze leaves include Victory and Challenger, as well as the Cocktail series, which includes Vodka, Whiskey, Gin, Rum and Brandy.

Culture

• Plant bronze-leafed wax begonias in spring after all chance of frost has passed. Select a spot in full sunlight that has fertile and moist but well-draining soil. You can enrich the soil by mixing some peat moss or organic compost into the top 8 to 10 inches of the soil bed, or by mixing in a 10-10-10 general fertilizer at a rate of 1 lb. per 100 square feet of bed. Plant the begonias at the same depth as they were planted in the nursery containers, spacing them about 6 to 8 inches apart.

Care

• Feed your wax begonias with a 10-10-10 fertilizer formula at a rate of 1 lb. per 100 square feet of flower bed about once each month during the summer. Begonias aren't heavy feeders, so you should aim to fertilize sparingly. Keep the soil evenly moist during summer by watering to soak the soil down to and around the begonias' roots at least once every week when you have little or no rainfall.

Warning

• Unfortunately, begonias are prone to several disease and pest problems. Begonias can get diseases like powdery mildew, pythium root and stem rot, and botrytis blight and stem rot. Slugs, scale insects, snails, mealybugs and spider mites can all infest begonias. If you detect an insect or disease problem with your begonias, you can contact your agricultural extension service for proper diagnosis and treatment methods.