Hmm, good questions. My begonias in small--6 in. and under--pots in the house get fed every time I water them. Since the fertilizer is dissolved in the water I just water them without the pre-sip of plain water, tho' that might be a better idea. I've read to do it both ways. If I used a dry fertilizer I'd definitely water first. I'll tell you a secret if you don't tell anyone else--I wick a lot of the begonias in the house, even including rexes. I'm pretty good at under-watering so the reservoirs go dry, sometimes longer than I intended, and I add a lot of perlite to my mix. Outside I'm more inclined to throw a handful of slow-release fertilizer on them when I think of it. And if they're in the ground I keep them mulched with leaf-mold and such to help feed them. Sometimes with the tougher ones that may be all they get and they seem to love it. I think re-potting once a year is probably sufficient, and some of mine haven't gotten even that the last few years. They do appreciate fresh soil and pruning every so often though. And getting re-settled in the pot when they're trying to climb out. When I'm a little more in control of my time, guess I re-pot when they look like they need it. That's helpful, huh?

"That's helpful, huh?"

Yep :-) I sort of repot the same way. Thanks for the validation of my begonia treatment. They are healthy and beautiful.

Linda

Your fertilizing procedures are correct. Run clear water first if they are semi dry before using fertilizer. If you use soluble fertilizer (in water) then you do not need to run clear water first (only if you topdress with pellets). However, if planting mix has coated fertilizer pellets do not allow it to dry completely.

Repotting sounds good.

Linda, I think you're the women I met in Lowe's last week and we discussed begonias. :-) Remember me? All those I was trying to root did root and are doing well.

As for fertilizing your begonias. I barely fertilize mine over the winter. Now is the time of year I start with a weak fertilizer solution. They thrive.

PurpleEggplant from TN

Hi! Yep, 'tis I. You should have seen the wonderful, huge self-heading burgandy and green philodendron in an 8- or 10-inch pot for $16.00 at Home Depot in Murfreesboro. I bought a beautiful dwarf pygmy palm for $11.00 and am going back for a philo.

Your email isn't listed so, if you want, go to "My Page" and send me an email. We'll keep in touch and maybe trade begonias or you can come to our African Violet Club meetings in Mt. Juliet.

Welcome to the GardenWeb Forums. There are an awfully lot of nice people here.

Linda