Editing Begonia (section)

== Cultivation ==
[[File:Angel Wing Begonia.JPG|thumb|right|A potted [[angel wing begonia]] (''Begonia aconitifolia'' × ''B. coccinea'')]]

The different groups of begonias have different care requirements, but most species come from tropical regions, so they and their hybrids require warm temperatures. Most are forest understory plants and require bright shade; few will tolerate full sun, especially in warmer climates. In general, begonias require a well-drained growing medium that is neither constantly wet nor allowed to dry out completely. Many begonias will grow and flower year-round except for tuberous begonias, which usually have a dormant period. During this dormant period, the tubers can be stored in a cool, dry place. Begonias of the semperflorens group (or wax begonias) are frequently grown as bedding plants outdoors. Wax begonias are very attractive, they adapt well when brought inside the house for overwintering and can live up to 4-5 years.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-28|title=How to care for beautiful Wax Begonia indoors (Easily)|url=https://shinyplant.com/wax-begonias/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121231043/https://shinyplant.com/wax-begonias/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=21 January 2021|access-date=2021-02-10|website=Shiny Plant|language=en-US}}</ref>

A recent group of hybrids derived from this group is marketed as "Dragonwing" begonias; they are much larger both in leaf and in flower. Tuberous begonias are frequently used as container plants. Although most ''Begonia'' species are tropical or subtropical in origin, the Chinese species ''[[Begonia grandis|B. grandis]]'' is hardy to USDA [[hardiness zone]] 6 and is commonly known as the "hardy begonia". Most begonias can be grown outdoors year-round in subtropical or tropical climates, but in temperate climates, begonias are grown outdoors as annuals, or as house or greenhouse plants.

Most begonias are easily propagated by division or from stem cuttings. In addition, some can be propagated from leaf cuttings or even sections of leaves, particularly the members of the rhizomatous and rex groups.

=== Horticultural nomenclature ===
[[File:Plum Paisley Begonias.JPG|thumb|Plum Paisley Begonias in a greenhouse.]]

The nomenclature of begonias can be very complex and confusing. The term 'picotee' refers to edging on the petals that is in contrast to the color of the main petal if the colors blend. If they do not, then the term 'marginata' is used, but sometimes these terms are used simultaneously.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pss.uvm.edu/pss123/bulbegon.html|title=Begonia|first=Leonard|last=Perry|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130502230741/http://pss.uvm.edu/pss123/bulbegon.html|archive-date=2013-05-02|website=Perry's Perennial Pages}}</ref> 'Non-Stop' refers to a camellia tuberous hybrid that under certain conditions will bloom 'non-stop' all year round.

=== Cultivar groups ===
[[File:Begonia display.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Display of (tuberous) begonias, Hampton Court Flower Show]]

Because of their sometimes showy flowers of white, pink, scarlet, or yellow color and often attractively marked leaves, many species and innumerable [[Hybrid (biology)|hybrid]]s and [[cultivar]]s are cultivated. The genus is unusual in that species throughout the genus, even those coming from different continents, can frequently be hybridized with each other, and this has led to an enormous number of cultivars. The [[American Begonia Society]] is the [[International Cultivar Registration Authority]] for ''Begonia'', and classifies them into several major groups:

*[[Cane begonia]] {{En dash}} forms tough, [[bamboo]]-like canes
* shrub-like
* [[Begonia × tuberhybrida|tuberous]]
* rhizomatous
* semperflorens (wax or fibrous rooted begonias)
* Rex
* trailing-scandent
* thick-stemmed
For the most part, these groups do not correspond to any formal taxonomic groupings or phylogeny, and many species and hybrids have characteristics of more than one group or do not fit well in any of them.

===AGM plants===
The following is a selection from about 70 species, varieties and cultivars which currently hold the [[Royal Horticultural Society]]'s [[Award of Garden Merit]]:<ref>{{cite web |title=AGM Plants - Ornamental |page=10 |date=March 2020 |publisher=RHS |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/pdfs/agm-lists/agm-ornamentals.pdf |access-date=1 November 2020}}</ref> 
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* ''Begonia'' 'Benitochiba'<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/137211/Begonia-Benitochiba-(R)/Details | title = ''Begonia'' 'Benitochiba' | publisher = RHS | access-date = 29 October 2020}}</ref> 
* ''Begonia dregei''<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/112196/Begonia-dregei-(T)/Details | title = ''Begonia dregei'' | publisher = RHS | access-date = 29 October 2020}}</ref> 
* ''Begonia foliosa'' var. ''miniata''<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/2009/Begonia-foliosa-var-miniata/Details | title = ''Begonia foliosa'' var. ''miniata'' | publisher = RHS | access-date = 29 October 2020}}</ref>
* ''Begonia'' 'Glowing Embers'<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/294385/Begonia-Glowing-Embers/Details | title = ''Begonia'' 'Glowing Embers' | publisher = RHS | access-date = 29 October 2020}}</ref> 
* ''Begonia grandis'' subsp. ''evansiana''<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/95775/Begonia-grandis-subsp-evansiana/Details| title = ''Begonia grandis'' subsp. ''evansiana'' | publisher = RHS | access-date = 29 October 2020}}</ref> 
* ''Begonia grandis'' subsp. ''evansiana'' var. ''alba''<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/63105/Begonia-grandis-Dryand-subsp-evansiana-(Andrews)-Irmsch-var-alba-hort/Details | title = ''Begonia grandis'' subsp. ''evansiana'' var. ''alba'' | publisher = RHS | access-date = 29 October 2020}}</ref> 
* ''Begonia'' 'Green Gold'<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/88458/Begonia-Green-Gold-(R)/Details | title = ''Begonia'' 'Green Gold' | publisher = RHS | access-date = 29 October 2020}}</ref> 
* ''Begonia listada''<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/47849/Begonia-listada/Details| title = ''Begonia listada'' | publisher = RHS | access-date = 29 October 2020}}</ref> 
* ''Begonia luxurians''<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/2023/Begonia-luxurians/Details | title = ''Begonia luxurians'' | publisher = RHS | access-date = 29 October 2020}}</ref> 
* ''Begonia masoniana''<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/2026/Begonia-masoniana/Details | title = ''Begonia masoniana'' | publisher = RHS | access-date = 29 October 2020}}</ref> 
* ''Begonia metallica''<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/2029/Begonia-metallica/Details | title = ''Begonia metallica'' | publisher = RHS | access-date = 29 October 2020}}</ref> 
* ''Begonia solananthera''<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/27744/Begonia-solananthera-A-DC/Details | title = ''Begonia solananthera'' | publisher = RHS | access-date = 29 October 2020}}</ref> 
* ''Begonia soli-mutata''<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/181811/Begonia-soli-mutata/Details | title = ''Begonia soli-mutata'' | publisher = RHS | access-date = 29 October 2020}}</ref> 
* ''Begonia sutherlandii''<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/2049/Begonia-sutherlandii-(T)/Details| title = ''Begonia sutherlandii'' | publisher = RHS | access-date = 29 October 2020}}</ref>
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