Angel Wing Begonia Plants

Angel wing begonias are hybrid flowers that were first introduced to the world in 1926 by Eva Kenworthy Gray, who was a plant breeder based out of California. The tender perennials are part of the Begoniaceae family. Angel wing begonias are crosses between two different species of begonias: Begonia coccinea and Begonia aconitifolia. The plants are popularly used as indoor houseplants.

Description
The name "Angel wing begonia" comes from its foliage, color and shape. The leaves, on a single stem, grow upwards. The flowering plants develop blooms that appear in an array of colors, all the way from white to red. The leaves also appear in many diverse colors. The upside of the leaf is generally deep green, with silver and metallic spotting. The bottom of the leaf usually is dark red in color. The plants are cane-like in appearance, and grow to between 1 and 2 feet in height.

Cultivation
Angel wing begonias grow successfully under light shade, partial shade or full sun. The low-maintenance plants bloom starting in the end of the spring up until the beginning of the autumn. Angel wing begonias work well in soil that is neutral to mildly acidic. Well-drained and consistently moist soil is required (clay loam and sandy loam work well). Regular watering is necessary for the plants, although it is crucial to make sure never to water them excessively. The plants grow well in containers, and can be propagated via seed, softwood cuttings and herbaceous stem cuttings. It is important to make sure not to grow the plants directly under the sun in the middle of the day, as they could run the risk of burning. High humidity levels and ample light and water are ideal for Angel wing begonia cultivation. A lot of light provides the foliage with more shine to their color.

Pests
Angel wing begonias are frequently afflicted by various different common houseplant pests, which include mildews and white flies. One way to eliminate these pests is by taking the Angel wing begonia outdoors, shaking it off lightly to eliminate some of the pests naturally, and then using an insecticide spray.

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About Angel Wing Begonias

There are more than 1,000 varieties of begonias, stemming from the botanical family Begoniaceae coccinea, which grow in the tropics and sub-tropics of the northern and southern hemispheres. The begonia family includes the fibrous-rooted, wax-leaf, rex, brilliant-leaf, dwarf, spiral-leaf, tuberous root and many others, including the cane type, or angel wing begonias. The angel wing's name comes from the expanse of the leaves, which seem to spread out over the plant like the wings of an angel.

Growth
Most begonias are grown from what is known as leaf cuttings. At the root of the cuttings, a number of young begonias will begin to grow next to the veins of the leaf. Some will form roots and plantlets of their own, but the replanted flower has to be properly spaced apart and the preferred watering method is overhead irrigation (as from a watering spout) rather than soaking the peat dirt with water.

Care
Crowding and overly wet climate conditions may cause an angel wing begonia to develop a fungus called bacterial leaf spot, which causes a "speckling" appearance on the leaves. Also, some of the bugs to watch out for include aphids (soft-bodied insects), mealybugs, mites, caterpillars and fungus gnats, which look like small black flies (see Resources below). If grown outdoors, some will be destroyed in the event of rain torrents, but just be sure to bring them in before frost. Indoors or out, keep them out of direct sunlight.

Features
Angel wing begonias can be grown as outdoor annuals or will grow just as nicely indoors in a pot in semi-shade (dimly lit areas). They bloom throughout the month of May all the way through September and come in pink (salmon), red (scarlet), white and orange colors with deep, dark-green hairy leaves, or "wings." They have small and thick cane-like stalks and are not as delicate as they may seem if properly cared for. Demonstrably, begonia wings are lopsided, enlarged on one side and flat on the other.

Considerations
Younger begonias need more phosphorous while they are growing. Older, or more established, plants need to be fertilized at least once a year. An all-purpose fertilizer is good enough.

Landscaping
Whether up in a hanging basket or draped across a galvanized wire basket or hustled into a wooden yard bucket, the "beguiling bewitching begonia" can be showcased in demi-light almost year-round except during the cold months, which they don't like. Pinch out the smaller blooms so they can get keep growing, and install a few demure dahlias and petunias in the background. The end result of this kind of landscaping harmony is prom night regalia.

Source: http://www.ehow.com/about_4964294_angel-wing-begonias.html