Eggshells: crushed eggshells are a good source of calcium, which is essential for begonias' growth and strength. Simply crush a few eggshells and sprinkle them around your begonias.
If you have the luxury of holding your Begonia medium before using, here are some ideas for adding a natural compost to your soil before you pot up, or add to your potted plants. Eggshells (crushed): provide calcium. Crush and sprinkle over potting media. Chicken bones (cooked, dried, crushed): provides calcium.
One final note: Make sure your soils aren't already alkaline before you add anything to up the pH; and never ever use eggshells or other pH-raisers around acid-loving plants like azaleas and rhododendrons.
For best results, fertilize plants every two weeks with a balanced 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 slow-release blend. A 10-10-5 high in nitrogen used early in the season and an additional monthly fertilizer during the growing season can help begonias bloom and encourage new growth.
There are multiple plants that benefit from eggshells in your garden. Tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, spinach, lettuce, Swiss chard, flowers, strawberries and squash are some examples!
Begonias love the addition of phosphorus-potassium and nitrogen to the soil, so coffee is an excellent substitute for chemical fertilizers. Coffee grounds help them develop buds and inflorescences.
Humidity & Water for Begonias
Make sure to provide a pebble tray under the pot or a nearby humidifier when the air is dry. The best way to know when to water your Begonia is to check the soil with your finger every few days. Begonias like evenly moist soil, but they prefer to dry out just a bit between waterings.
Food: To encourage your begonias to grow more vibrant and abundant blooms, nourish them with Miracle-Gro® Water Soluble Bloom Booster Flower Food every 1-2 weeks during the growing season (late spring to early autumn). Soil: Use a well-draining nutrient-rich soil like Miracle-Gro® Organic Raised Bed & Garden Soil.
Give Them Adequate Sun
Although they are shade-friendly plants, they need at least 4 hours of early sun to bloom. While begonias are most often thought of as shade flowers, they do require a bit of sun to get them blooming. I think around 4 hours of early morning sun is perfect.
Eggshells take a lot longer to break down compared to many other compostable goods, and too many of them can increase the acidity of your compost. This shouldn't be a problem, unless you plan on using it to grow plants that prefer low soil pH.
You can crush your eggshells by hand and toss them into your compost bin. Eggshells do take longer to break down than most other food waste, so your finished compost may have bits of eggshell in it.
🌞 Light and Temperature Stress. Begonias are like Goldilocks; they need conditions just right. Too little light or too much heat can cause leaves to droop. Aim for bright, indirect sunlight and maintain a stable, begonia-friendly temperature to avoid leafy languor.
Wondering what plants don't like eggshells? It's best to avoid using them on varieties that naturally prefer more acidic soil, such as azaleas and geraniums.
Banana peel: banana peels are rich in potassium, which is essential for begonias' growth and blooms.
Miracle-Gro Has No Place in an Organic Garden
If you want to grow an organic garden, you should never use synthetic fertilizers. These are simply products that contain nutrients made in a lab instead of found in nature.
Begonias are tolerant of a range of light conditions, from full sun to shade. In colder climates, plants can tolerate more light. In warm regions, they need protection from hot afternoon sun to prevent leaf scald. Varieties with darker foliage can withstand more light than those with green leaves.
Begonias are heavy feeders and will bloom larger and longer if they get regular fertilizer, Sanchez said. She recommends slow-release fertilizers for begonias, which are easier to apply and make it harder to over fertilize. Over-fed plants often get leggy and have weak stems.
Begonias thrive in soil that is neither dry nor saturated. Your goal is to find a moisture level and watering schedule that is justttt right. A good rule of thumb is to water every two to four days. When it's hot and dry you'll need to water more often than when the air cools down and the soil holds more moisture.
While you can grow tuberous begonias indoors, they are harder to take care of due to their light and humidity needs. Like most houseplants, begonias prefer bright, indirect light and plenty of humidity.
Begonias like their roots crowded and well-drained. For small plants, only move them up in 1 inch increments until you get to about 6 inch size.
Soggy or waterlogged soil is particularly troublesome for begonias with tubers or rhizomes underground that will quickly rot if they are too wet. Begonias will happily grow in pots, just use a suitable potting mix like Scotts Osmocote Rose, Gardenia, Azalea & Camellia Mix and get a pot with good drainage.
In some workplaces, the only "watering" plants receive is from emptying leftover coffee into the soil, and they are often struggling. However, using leftover coffee once a week and coffee grounds sparingly is beneficial.