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Begonia plants come in a variety of sizes and styles.
There are many different kinds of begonias, but the dragon-wing begonia is one of the most common.
Dragon-wing begonias are low-maintenance plants that look fantastic in any garden.
They are available in a range of colors and can be grown both indoors and outdoors.
Learn more in this blog post on how to care for dragon wing begonias.
What is a Dragon Wing Begonia?
First cultivated in South America, Dragon Wing Begonias are tropical plants appreciated for their green foliage and brilliant flowers.
It has the botanical name Begonia x Hybrida’ Dragon Wings’.
Like any other begonia, it is an annual hybrid plant that belongs to the family Begoniaceae.
It has several common names, including Begonia Dragon Wing, Dragon Wing Red Begonia, and Cane Begonia.
Dragon wing Begonia Flowers
From late spring through autumn (until the first frost), the Dragon red wing begonia produces clusters of tiny tuberous (bell-like) colorful flowers that are scarlet-red to pink.
The lengthy blooming time and prolific production of spectacular blooms, especially during hot summers, are just a few of the reasons why Dragon Wing begonia is such a popular garden plant.
When the begonia plant is placed in hanging baskets, its blooms give it that extra pop.
Difference Between Dragon Wing and Angel Wing Begonias
Dragon Wing Begonias are frequently confused with Christmas-candy begonias and Angel-wing begonias, also members of the same family.
However, the main distinguishing feature of the other plants is the leaf patterns.
The leaves of the Dragon Wing Begonia contain spots or distinguishing patterns, whereas the leaves of the Angel-Wing begonia have no unique patterning.
Nevertheless, just like the Angel Wing begonia, the Dragon Wing begonia has spectacular delicate flowers and foliage that look beautiful in summer and winter.
How to Care for Dragon Wing Begonias
Dragon wing begonias are a variety of begonia with enormous, multicolored leaves.
They are simple to care for, but there are a few things you need to know to keep them healthy.
Here are some guidelines for caring for dragon-wing begonias.
Growing Season
Plants like Dragon Wing fill in the growing space rather quickly. This results in a beautiful plant for any garden or landscaping.
They are great for USDA Hardiness Zones 9-11, and if well protected, can survive until the weather starts to frost in late fall to early winter.
From early spring, these plants feature dark green, glossy foliage, and flower profusely.
They’ll grow to be around 18 inches tall and thrive in full shade to partial sun.
Keep an eye out for special conditions in different seasons when growing your Dragon Wing Begonia for the best results.
When the weather is scorching, it is best to provide it with some shade. They’ll also benefit from pruning now and then throughout the growing season.
This begonia is one of the easiest to cultivate indoors.
It is much easier to grow since it is not sensitive to high humidity, unlike other cane begonias like Rex begonias.
Temperature
Dragon Begonia requires temperatures of 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 24 degrees Celsius). Dragon Begonias are heat-tolerant plants.
They can withstand temperatures as high as 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
However, when temperatures get extremely hot, it’s best to keep it somewhat covered from the afternoon heat.
In contrast, when temperatures drop below a certain point, they will not survive like most plants.
In contrast to hot weather, Dragon Wing begonias need to be kept at temperatures above 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
Light
At any time of the year, try to keep your dragon wings in a sunny spot. You’ll be rewarded with more flowers.
If you’re going to leave your plant outside for the summer, make sure it’s protected from the hot, direct sunlight.
Begonias typically love the morning sun or part sun.
When planting your Begonia plant, consider a location with well-illuminated but shaded from direct sunlight.
Watering
To prevent leaf edge browning, Dragon Wing begonias require constant watering.
It’s important to avoid standing water in the planting container or soil.
Although keeping the soil evenly moist is best for Angel Wings, you should be careful not to make the soil soggy by excessive watering.
It is best if you allow the soil to dry between waterings.
Soil
The Dragon Wing Begonia grows best in well-drained, uniformly moist soil.
If you want your Dragon Wing Begonias to flourish nicely, ensure the soil moisture isn’t too high.
If you want to provide a better condition for your plant, you can add soil amendments such as coco coir or perlite.
Fertilizer
When the weather warms up in the spring and summer, fertilize your Dragon Wing begonias every two weeks with a water-soluble balanced fertilizer.
If you are looking for a fertilizer for your begonias, you should consider dissolvable fertilizer. These types of fertilizer are great because you can set them in and forget about them.
Repotting
Your dragon wing begonia does not require frequent repotting because it prefers to be slightly pot-bound.
However, once it outgrows its container, you should repot your Dragon Begonia in a larger pot than the current one that it is planted in.
Waiting till spring to repot your plant is a smart idea, as this is its growing season.
Since their roots are fibrous, these plants will thrive in containers with space.
Pull the plant out of the old container and transfer it to a new pot. Fill in the space with soil.
Lightly brush down the soil with your fingertips to prevent it from compacting too much.
Once planted in the new pot, lightly tap on the soil, ensuring you don’t compact the soil too much.
Like other plants, Begonias benefit from good air circulation around them because it aids their growth and blooming.
Propagation
Dragon Wing Begonia can only be propagated by stem cutting because they are sterile.
Its stem cuttings are easy to root. In the spring or early summer, take a 3-4 inch (8-10 cm) non-flowering stem cuttings and root them in a wet, sterile potting mix.
For summer flowers, start sowing seeds indoors in the middle to late winter. To get the greatest results, use a heat mat and increase the humidity.
FAQ
Do dragon wing begonias like sun or shade?
Dragon wing begonias are best planted in shaded locations. They are unable to withstand direct sunlight. As a result, they should be grown in areas with little sunshine. Plant them in a location that receives fewer than five to six hours of direct sunlight every day. To maintain their growth and bloom, use a balanced fertilizer once a month during the growing season. Begonias, too, prefer to be watered on a daily basis. During hot, dry weather, we must not allow them to dry out.
Can dragon wing begonias handle full sun?
Dragon-wing begonias can be grown in full sun, although they thrive in partial shade. Full-sun exposure can harm your plants. The plant becomes more compact in full sun, and the foliage takes on a crimson hue. In the shade, the appearance is lush, tropical, and exotic.
Do dragon wing begonias come back every year?
Begonias are annual plants so that they won’t grow back each year. So, unfortunately, you will have to replant begonias every spring. Begonias do not grow in the cold to freezing temperatures, so make sure you plant them when winter is definitely over.
Are there any differences between angel wing and dragon wing begonias?
The difference between angel wings and dragon wings begonias is their leaves. These two types of Begonias are named after the shape of their leaves. The Angel wings have larger leaves with polka dots, whereas dragon wing begonias have simple and small foliage.
Conclusion
Dragon wings are easy to grow and do not require a lot of attention. Best of all, begonias do not require too much maintenance to thrive.
Further, there is not too much deadheading (i.e., removing dead flower heads to make room for new growth).
This and several other factors, like its beautiful flowers and foliage, make the Dragon Wing Begonia one of the most loved plants.
Other Types of Begonias to Consider
Dragon wing begonias are one of the most popular begonias to grow, but there are many types of begonias to think about when choosing a plant for your home or garden.
For example, cane begonias have tall, tuberous begonias are small, compact plants used for bedding, or fibrous begonias for their flashy blooms.
Read further for alternative types of Begonias to grow in your garden.
References
Lindsey Hyland grew up in Arizona where she studied at the University of Arizona’s Controlled Environment Agriculture Center. She continued her gardening education by working on organic farms in both rural and urban settings. She started UrbanOrganicYield.com to share gardening tips and tactics. She’s happy to talk about succulents and houseplants or vegetables and herbs – or just about anything in a backyard garden or hydroponics garden.