Begonia Torch
Begonia Torch
Begonia 'Torch' is an eye-catching hybrid begonia, known for its upright growth habit and vibrant flowers. It's a versatile plant that can brighten up any space, whether indoors or outdoors, due to its adaptability and easy-care nature.
Plant Description:
- Foliage: Glossy green, asymmetrical leaves with a waxy texture. The leaves are typically medium to dark green with serrated edges.
- Flowers: Large, bright red to orange-red flowers that bloom abundantly. The flowers are pendulous and hang in clusters, adding an intense splash of color to any garden or container.
- Growth Habit: Upright and bushy. Begonia 'Torch' tends to grow in a compact, dense form, making it ideal for containers and small spaces.
Growing Conditions:
- Hardiness Zones: USDA zones 10-12 (can be grown as an annual or houseplant in colder zones).
- Height: 18 to 24 inches (45 to 60 cm).
- Width: 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 cm).
- Sun Exposure: Prefers partial shade to full shade. In full sun, the leaves can scorch, so it’s best to provide filtered or indirect sunlight, especially in hot climates.
- Soil: Well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil. Begonias prefer rich, organic soil with good moisture retention but don't like to be waterlogged.
- Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Avoid overhead watering to prevent leaf spotting and rot.
Planting and Care Tips:
- Planting Time: Spring, after the last frost, if planting outdoors.
- Spacing: Space plants 12 to 18 inches apart to allow for good air circulation.
- Fertilization: Apply a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing season. Reduce feeding in the winter if growing indoors.
- Maintenance: Regularly deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming. Prune lightly to maintain shape, especially in containers.
Uses:
- Container Gardening: Begonia 'Torch' is excellent for containers, window boxes, and hanging baskets, where its vibrant flowers can cascade over the sides.
- Borders and Edging: Its compact size makes it ideal for use along garden borders, as an accent plant, or in mass plantings.
- Indoor Plant: Grows well indoors as a houseplant due to its need for filtered light and moisture. Ideal for bright, indirect light spaces like sunrooms or patios.
- Annual Bedding Plant: In cooler climates, it is often grown as an annual in garden beds or containers to add color throughout the growing season.
Native Range:
Begonias are native to tropical and subtropical regions of Central and South America, Africa, and Southern Asia. While Begonia 'Torch' is a hybrid, its ancestral species likely hail from these regions, contributing to its preference for warmth and humidity.
---SHIPPING NOTICE PLEASE READ BEFORE PURCHASING LIVE PLANTS!---
We WILL NOT refund the purchase of or the shipping cost of live plants purchased with the intent to be shipped to states that do not authorize importing live plants or to states with restrictions! Purchases to these states will be held for 30 days for pick-up at our Slidell, Louisiana store and the shipping cost associated with these purchases will be held for the care of the plant while waiting to be picked up. All sales are final. If the plant(s) purchased are not picked up within 30 days from the date of order, these items will be returned to our sales inventory and you WILL NOT be refunded. Thank you for understanding these policies.
Due to regulations, certain states have restrictions on importing plants. Please review the list below to ensure you're not attempting to order any restricted plants in your area.
**Important Note:** We do not ship any plants outside the U.S.
State-Specific Restrictions - We ARE NOT responsible for any plant(s) that are not listed in these restrictions. Purchaser bears all responsibility for making sure the plant(s) they desire to purchase are not banned from being imported to the shipping state:
Arizona: Juglans spp. (Walnut)
California: Castanea spp. (Chestnut), Juglans spp. (Walnut), Pinus spp. (Pine), Quercus spp. (Oak)
Colorado: Some counties restrict Prunus spp. (Cherry, Peach, Plum). Please verify your local county regulations.
Florida: Castanea spp. (Chestnut), Cornus spp. (Dogwood), Quercus spp. (Oak), Cornus mas (Cornelian Cherry)
Georgia: Vaccinium spp. (Blueberry, American Cranberry)
Hawaii: Pinus spp. (Pine)
Idaho: Humulus lupulus (Hops), Mentha spp. (Mint), Vitis spp. (Grape)
Indiana: Fragraria spp. (Strawberry), Rosa spp. (Rose)
Kansas: Juglans spp. (Walnut)
Michigan: Abies spp. (Fir), Vaccinium spp. (Blueberry, American Cranberry, Lingonberry)
Montana: Pinus spp. (Pine)
Nevada: Allium spp. (Chives, Flowering Onion), Mentha spp. (Mint)
New Jersey: Rosa spp. (Rose)
New York: Vitis spp. (Grape)
Oregon: Allium spp. (Chives, Flowering Onion), Castanea spp. (Chestnut), Corylus spp. (Hazelnut), Humulus lupulus (Hops), Quercus spp. (Oak), Sambucus nigra (European Elderberry), Ulmus spp. (Elm), Vaccinium spp. (Blueberry, American Cranberry), Vitis spp. (Grape)
Texas: Juglans spp. (Walnut)
Washington: Allium spp. (Chives, Flowering Onion), Castanea spp. (Chestnut), Corylus spp. (Hazelnut), Humulus lupulus (Hops), Vaccinium spp. (Blueberry, American Cranberry, Lingonberry), Vitis spp. (Grape)
Wisconsin: Abies spp. (Fir), Pinus spp. (Pine), Picea spp. (Spruce), Mentha spp. (Mint)
Additionally, we cannot ship plants in soil medium to the following states: AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, HI, ID, KS, MS, MT, ND, NM, NV, OK, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA.