skip to main content

Hot weather hanging basket?

16 years ago

Hello Begonia People,

I'm a regular on the Florida Gardening Forum but I have a question I think you all might be able to help me with.

I love cane begonias and have several in containers in my patio and a few in the ground that have been pretty hardy. But now I want to try a few hanging baskets under my crape myrtle trees and am more interested in blossoms than leaves. Can anyone recommend a couple begonia varieties that will do well in hanging baskets, produce lots of flowers, and will also hold up well in the heat of the Florida summer? The plants will received almost constant shade except for early morning - maybe some dappled light for short periods until about 1pm. I'm thinking some of the tuberous begonias with huge flowers would look nice but I don't know how well they'll take the heat and daily rains. Any ideas?

Thanks for your help!

Kate

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

tom8olvr
16 years ago
Dragon wing begonias are sterile and continue to bloom no matter what.... I would recommend them whole heartedly. I had them in a small window box, very small window box and they thrived.... the red blossoms stained the driveway and ground.
engelsal
16 years ago
My question is similar--I was thinking of using dragon leafs in my hanging baskets on my deck. It gets indirect light until noon and then hot, west sun from noon on. Are these conditions to hot and severe for these plants? I am in zone 5 in western MI. Thanks in advance for your help.
--Alice
Related Discussions
Watering hanging baskets
Q
Comments (4)
Something I tried and liked was hanging my baskets about waist-high rather than overhead.. I could see the plants more easily rather than seeing the baskets, and still could have vining plants dangling. This was along the side of a covered walkway and I liked that I could look over the baskets into the rest of the garden. Also made it much easier to water, though that wasn't my first concern as I too use the watering wand. Might not work for your location, but I thought I'd suggest it. I've used icecubes in winter on large tropicals inside when the pots are too large to move to shower (Palms especially). Mainly to let water soak in slowly so saucer doesn't overflow. No harm to Palms but I think it might not be a good idea right on a plant which had vines/stems all over soil...I could pretty much put icecubes on soil-not touching stems. josh
...See More
clearing out greenhouse for hot weather,sob sob
Q
Comments (8)
Sigh, I've been trying to vacate mine for 2 weeks now because it desperately needs a bath inside and out. But gosh, I just had to start more flats of marigolds, calendula, nasturtiums and the like and then there are all those small pots of odds n ends that really should be put into bigger pots. The jade plant and other house plants I over wintered in there for the first time went bonkers all winter and now can really no longer be classified as house plants, but they are way to fragile to plant outside. The seedlings i planted into styro cups are still not old enough to travel and I've run out of nice looking pots to transplant the ones who are old enough to travel. I spose I could look at the dirt & grime on the outside as sort of a free shade cloth of sorts and light defuser. X
...See More
Really hot weather saved me from raccoons
Q
Comments (4)
The vents I was talking about go from the attic to the outside. One of the problems with having a hot attic is it will be just as cold as it is hot in the winter. Rapid changes of temps can cause condensation inside underneath the outside roof which can lead to all kinds of problems. Try to find ones that have an overhang on them to prevent water from blowing in during heavy rain. Ours do not have the overhang, never thought of it, but one vent is over where there was an old attic fan. When we have the 1-3 inch rains it drips though the vent then though the attic fan cover. As far as your racoon you might try a squirt bottle of water while yelling at him. Some will get the message some will not.
...See More
What's blooming in HOT weather regions?
Q
Comments (25)
Redroses, thank you for those kind words. I'm a bit amazed that I can grow good roses in Kansas also. : ) I'm pretty sure I got Boceliande from Palatine Nursery in Canada--excellent place--it grafts on multiflora. My other roses come from all over. For own root roses, I like Roses Unlimited. Chambliss is also good, as is Angel Gardens in Florida. I order some of my roses from David Austin or Regan's Nursery--those are usually grafted on Dr. Huey. But there are at least a half dozen other places I've ordered from also. Sometimes it's a matter of it was the only place that carried that rose, so I ordered from there. I inherited that peony when I moved here a couple decades ago, so I don't know its name for sure. I think it is Cora Stubbs, but it might be Bowl of Beauty. Both are classic peonies. I love it. Transplanted it from a poor location to a good one, and it has been an outstanding spring bloomer ever since. April--as usual, your bouquets of similar colored roses are exquisite! Modest--Heaven on Earth is "divine." : ) Kate
...See More
hc mcdole
16 years ago
As long as you keep them watered well (do let them dry out slightly before watering again) they should do fine. I had one on our deck a couple of summers ago and it got extremely hot but the DW grew great.

{{gwi:430091}}
solstice98
Original Author
16 years ago
Great picture!

I'm not hearing much support for my tuberous begonia idea. I think I'll try a couple in baskets but will add some cuttings of the DW and other cane begonias as well. That way i should get nice growth no matter what. Thanks for your input!
Kate
hc mcdole
16 years ago
Go ahead and try tuberous but a lot of experts from FL say they cannot grow them due to the heat. I've grown them but treat them as annuals. They had some huge ones in CA at the National Convention. The blooms were as large as a big saucer (8 inches across).

{{gwi:430092}}

{{gwi:430093}}

{{gwi:430094}}

{{gwi:430095}}
solstice98
Original Author
16 years ago
All I can say is "wow". They are all pretty but the yellow in the third picture is outstanding.
greenelbows1
16 years ago
Here in southern Louisiana (z9a) the hort. department at the university tried tuberous begonias. I think they got a flower or two. That was in the greenhouse with cooling. A number of people I know tried them, but nobody succeeded. I grew them when I lived in western Washington (state) but believed the locals when they told me not to try here, so I don't really have personal experience. If you would be satisfied with two or three flowers, okay. Otherwise, i would say there are So Many begonias that really love it here and do so well so easily, that torturing some for such a disappointing display doesn't seem productive to me.
mikemay324_yahoo_com
13 years ago
hello. ima beginner when it come to plants, not much of a green thumb here. so just looking for a few plant ideas and tips for a couple hanging plants on my small apartment porch. maybe a couple diff flowers in one basket. i dont know im new to this. any help would be great. thanks.
Michi_Harper
13 years ago
I also tried tuberous begonias nemerous times in S. LA and they always croaked!I tried them in pots, and in the ground. No joy!

@greenelbows Are you at UL? That's my alma mater (except it was USL then!)

Related Stories

DECORATING GUIDES The Enduring Appeal of the Egg Basket

By Mary Jo Bowling

Hardworking wire baskets are flying the coop for a life inside, appearing as storage, organizers and decor

GARDENING GUIDES Superstar Annuals for Containers and Baskets

High performing, low maintenance and all-around gorgeous, these container plants go the distance while you sit back and relax

ORANGE Orange: Still Hot, Hot, Hot

By Shawn Gauthier

Get fired up to bring in more orange with energizing paint, furnishings, rugs and accessories

POOL HOUSES New Pool House Comes by Its Weathered Look Naturally

By Becky Harris

The Texas Hill Country structure is made from materials salvaged from a dilapidated sharecropper's house and an old barn

DECORATING GUIDES 12 Warm-Weather Makeover Ideas for the Bedroom

By Laura Gaskill

Are your linens and bedroom decor still playing the heavy? Shed some visual weight for spring and summer with these decorating ideas

ENTRYWAYS 12 Ways to Weather a Messy Winter

By Between Naps on the Porch

Here's What to do About Those Wet Coats and Muddy Boots

DECORATING GUIDES Local Color: Tobacco Baskets Pack In Southeastern Style

By Becky Harris

Made of woven oak strips, these antique baskets bring rustic texture to rooms of all kinds

DECORATING GUIDES Give Your Hot-Climate Home a Fall Feel

By Lisa Frederick

If soaring temperatures are putting a damper on your fall decorating, try these lighter takes on autumn style

HOLIDAYS 12 Home Hot Spots for Holiday Decorating

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

Deck these areas with garlands, lights and other seasonal decorations, and watch a festive mood take hold

LIFE The Absolute Right Way to Hang Toilet Paper. Maybe

By Mitchell Parker

Find out whether over or under is ahead in our poll and see some unusual roll hangers, shelves and nooks

Sponsored

More Discussions

Copper fungicide for powdery mildew on Rex begonias

2

Beefsteak Begonia plant

3

Help! My Begonia's flowers are turning brown! :-(

1