Grow up instead of out
#Begonia Is it possible to get her to grow taller instead of branching out? Thanks!
1
Hi! Yes, it is possible to encourage your begonia to grow taller rather than bushier — but it depends a little on the type of begonia you have (for example, cane begonias like “Angel Wing” types naturally grow taller, while rex begonias stay more compact).
Here are a few ways you can encourage taller growth:
• Light: Give her bright indirect light. If the light is too low, begonias often get leggy (tall but weak). If it’s too bright (direct sun), they might stay compact or get scorched. Ideal light will encourage healthy vertical growth.
• Pruning: Don’t pinch or prune the top growth if you want her to get taller. Pinching usually encourages side branching.
• Support: If she’s a cane-type begonia, you can stake her to support vertical growth as she gets taller. Pot size: Keep her in a snug pot. If the pot is too big, she might focus on root growth or sprawling rather than growing up.
• Fertilizer: A balanced, diluted fertilizer (like 10-10-10) during the growing season can give her enough energy to grow taller, but don’t overdo it or she could get leggy and floppy.
Here’s some tips!
Here’s how you can specifically encourage your Angel Wing to grow taller instead of branching out:
• Do not pinch the top — Let her main stem keep growing upward without snipping it. Pinching triggers side shoots (which you don’t want yet).
• Bright indirect light — Give her lots of bright, indirect light. A spot near a window with sheer curtains is ideal. If it’s too dim, she’ll stretch too quickly and be floppy; too much sun can burn her.
• Support her — As she gets taller, you might need a thin stake or plant support to keep her upright, especially if her stems get heavy.
• Consistent watering — Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, but don’t let her sit soaked for long — it keeps her growing strong without weak stems.
• Light fertilizer — During spring and summer, feed her once a month with a balanced fertilizer at half-strength. This keeps her energy for upward growth.
Extra tip:
When she reaches the height you like, then you can pinch her top if you want her to get a little bushier without getting even taller.
(Otherwise, she’ll just keep going up and up!)
Hope this helps! ❤️
Here are a few ways you can encourage taller growth:
• Light: Give her bright indirect light. If the light is too low, begonias often get leggy (tall but weak). If it’s too bright (direct sun), they might stay compact or get scorched. Ideal light will encourage healthy vertical growth.
• Pruning: Don’t pinch or prune the top growth if you want her to get taller. Pinching usually encourages side branching.
• Support: If she’s a cane-type begonia, you can stake her to support vertical growth as she gets taller. Pot size: Keep her in a snug pot. If the pot is too big, she might focus on root growth or sprawling rather than growing up.
• Fertilizer: A balanced, diluted fertilizer (like 10-10-10) during the growing season can give her enough energy to grow taller, but don’t overdo it or she could get leggy and floppy.
Here’s some tips!
Here’s how you can specifically encourage your Angel Wing to grow taller instead of branching out:
• Do not pinch the top — Let her main stem keep growing upward without snipping it. Pinching triggers side shoots (which you don’t want yet).
• Bright indirect light — Give her lots of bright, indirect light. A spot near a window with sheer curtains is ideal. If it’s too dim, she’ll stretch too quickly and be floppy; too much sun can burn her.
• Support her — As she gets taller, you might need a thin stake or plant support to keep her upright, especially if her stems get heavy.
• Consistent watering — Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, but don’t let her sit soaked for long — it keeps her growing strong without weak stems.
• Light fertilizer — During spring and summer, feed her once a month with a balanced fertilizer at half-strength. This keeps her energy for upward growth.
Extra tip:
When she reaches the height you like, then you can pinch her top if you want her to get a little bushier without getting even taller.
(Otherwise, she’ll just keep going up and up!)
Hope this helps! ❤️