Begonia: home care, planting and growing rules, reproduction

Features of growing begonia flowers

In our climatic conditions, outdoor begonia can only grow in warm weather. Basically, it is grown at home on windowsills, since many varieties are thermophilic plants.

Many begonia lovers also grow it in open flower beds, alpine slides. With the onset of cold weather, it is again placed in houses.

The total number of begonias is about 1,000, including annuals and perennials. The plant belongs to the genus Begonia, which in the form of the aboveground part can be:

herbaceous plants;
semi-shrub;
undersized shrubs.

Ever-flowering begonia is attractive not only for its bush shape. Its variety of bright colors of inflorescences and leaf shapes can amaze any gardener. Begonia sizes are also surprisingly varied.

The smallest can grow up to several centimeters. There are varieties of begonias that reach a height of 3 meters.

Begonia is decorative-flowering and decorative-deciduous. Due to their popularity, breeders began to breed new hybrid species based on tuberous begonias. After that, large-flowered species began to appear.

What is necessary?

Before proceeding directly with the transplant of begonia, it is important to stock up on all the components necessary for this. These include several components

Pot. It shouldn't be too big and spacious. For young plants, it is necessary to select containers 3-4 centimeters larger than the previous pots in which they are sold in stores.
High quality and suitable soil mixture. For begonias, a mixture of peat, humus, turf and plain earth will be optimal. All components must be taken in equal proportions.
Good drainage. In no case should you forget about it if you want to create the most comfortable living conditions for the plant. For this purpose, various materials are used, for example, expanded clay, tiles, gravel or foam cut into cubes.

These are all the necessary components that will be needed to properly transplant begonias into a new container.

Propagation of begonias by cuttings

The plant propagates quite easily by cuttings. This method is suitable for all stem species and retains all varietal characteristics of the begonias. This method is great for Begonia Elatior. A stalk suitable for propagation should have 3-4 leaves and be at least 10 cm in size. For such reproduction, both the upper part of the stem and the middle one are suitable, if necessary, extra leaves are removed, and too large ones are cut in half. After the cutting is cut, it must be dried, then treated with activated charcoal or ash.

Rooting can be carried out both in water and in the substrate.

In the substrate. The stalk is planted in plastic
a glass with special soil for begonias, in which it is desirable to add
sand. A greenhouse is installed above the handle and placed in a warm (22-24 ° C). well lit place, without
access to direct sunlight. The greenhouse must be regularly ventilated and
monitor the moisture content of the substrate, moisturizing it if necessary, periodically
root formation stimulants. The greenhouse is removed immediately after the appearance of new ones.
leaves or when roots appear along the walls of the cup. After the roots
begonias will fully master the plastic cup it is transplanted into a new one
very large pot.
In water. The begonia stalk is placed in a container with
water. It is necessary to add an activated carbon tablet to the water, for
preventing the development of harmful microflora. For successful rooting
the room temperature should be (18-20 ° C). The condition of the cutting is necessary constantly
control, and at the first signs of decay, the cut is updated, sprinkled again
activated carbon, the water is changed. The cutting is planted after
the roots reach 1-2 cm.

Diseases and pests

Too humid air and excess watering in winter will lead to powdery mildew: plaque appears on the leaves, and they die off.

In dry air, the edges of the leaves dry out and turn brown. With a lack of lighting, the leaves stretch out, become small and pale.

In the summertime, aphids, which were accidentally brought from the street, can attack the begonia. The appearance of a spider mite is also likely - it loves dry air. To remove pests, Actellik is used, which is sprayed on the plant.

Begonia is an almost ideal plant for keeping at home or in the office. It looks great in green areas and conservatories.

Decorative leaf begonia purifies indoor air and helps fight harmful bacteria.

Pests

If no measures help to reanimate the plant, it is possible that parasites have wound up in the soil and are slowly eating the roots. In this case, an earthen lump with a rhizome is taken out, washed in a solution of potassium permanganate and transplanted into a new soil.

The most common enemies of begonias are nematodes, spider mites, aphids, thrips. Actellik, an insectoacaricide, is used against them, which simultaneously kills ticks and insects on the shoots and in the ground.

Important! Spider mites are not insects, so conventional insecticides do not work against them.

At the same time, you should inspect the rest of the plants in the room. If the pests have managed to move, all crops will have to be treated with actellik. Spraying is carried out, the action of which lasts 12 days, after which the treatment is repeated. It is permissible to carry out no more than two sprays.

How to get rid of most types of weeds very quickly? Weeding is no longer needed. New development from agronomists - here

How to care

To achieve excellent results in growing a crop, it should provide suitable conditions.

Illumination

Begonias require bright lighting. This is very true for flowering plants. In summer, it is recommended to grow the crop in the shade, since there is a risk of burns on the leaves.

Watering

The plant is considered to be moisture-loving, but it does not require frequent watering. It is much more important to maintain high air humidity. Otherwise, the tips of the leaves may begin to dry out. In the heat, the flower requires more abundant watering.

But it is important to avoid stagnant moisture in the roots.

To moisten the soil, it is worth using water at room temperature, which should be defended for at least 24 hours. It is worth moistening the soil when the top layer dries up by 1.5 centimeters. In winter, the culture needs more rare and moderate watering. Tuberous species should not be moistened at all.

Fertilization and feeding

For the normal development of begonia, it should be fed on time. It is recommended to fertilize flowering species during budding. It is worth feeding the crop every 14 days using complex fertilizer. During the formation of the ovaries, the flower requires potassium-phosphorus preparations - Pollen, Bud are suitable.

Nitrogen-containing products are used exclusively for decorative deciduous varieties of culture. Otherwise, flowering will not start.

Transfer

For the normal development of culture, it needs systematic transplants. This should be done in the spring, before the start of the growing season. The procedure is carried out when roots appear from the drainage holes.

To do this, it is recommended to remove the flower from the pot and get rid of the remaining substrate. After that, the roots are dipped in a light pink solution of potassium permanganate.Then the roots should be rinsed with settled water. Inspect them carefully and remove areas with rot. After the roots dry out, the culture is transferred to a larger container.

Young plants are easy enough to replant. They tolerate this procedure well. Adult flowers have many fragile leaves. Therefore, plants over 3 years old are divided into several fragments.

Soil requirements

The plant requires planting in a nutritious soil. The composition should contain 2 parts of leafy land, 1 part of black soil and the same amount of peat. Coarse sand should be placed at the bottom of the container. The pot is half covered with leafy soil, then peat and black soil are put.

Tuberous winter storage

An ever-flowering begonia is characterized by an unexpressed rest period. Tuberous plants require wintering. After flowering, the tubers should be placed in peat or left in a pot. It is worth drastically reducing the number of waterings.

Place the pot of tubers in the basement or other cool place. The temperature regime should be + 10-15 degrees.

Air humidity

The culture requires high humidity. However, you should not spray the flower. If moisture gets on the leaves, there is a risk of brown spots. To avoid dry air, the pot should be placed on an inverted tray.

This structure should be placed in a wider container, pour moss or expanded clay into it and moisten it periodically. As the liquid evaporates, normal humidity will be maintained.

How to choose the right pot

To ensure the culture's normal development, it is worth choosing the right container for it. An ordinary round pot works well for this purpose.

Plastic

A plastic pot is suitable for begonias

At the same time, it is important to choose the right soil and ensure high-quality drainage. Hypothermia or overheating of the container should be avoided.

Ceramics

Ceramic pots are the best choice for begonia roots to work properly. This material does not retain liquid and provides excellent air circulation.

Dormant period

In evergreens, this period is poorly expressed. At the same time, tuberous varieties need a long rest. Since the middle of autumn, leaves die off, so it is worth stopping feeding and reducing the amount of watering. After the complete withering away of the ground part of the pots, it is worth moving to a dark, cool room.

To give a culture a beautiful appearance, it is necessary to pay attention to the formation of its crown. To do this, pinch the shoots

The procedure can be performed before or after flowering. To do this, it is worth pinching off the top growth point of the main stem. This is done by 1-2 centimeters.

Flower care at home

Caring for begonias is easy, since the flowers are not capricious, but the plants have their own preferences. They love to be outdoors, but cannot stand drafts. Their peculiarity lies in the winter dormant period. It lasts three months, from December to February. At this time, watering stops. The stem of the plant is cut, and the pot is placed in a cool place.

How to care for tuberous begonia is described in this video:

How to water properly?

In summer, Tuberous begonias are watered abundantly, especially at the time of flowering.

The roots of the flower are shallow, so watering should be avoided when watering. A couple of times a week, you should spray the air around the flower, since direct water contact with the leaves can cause them to rot.

In the intervals between watering, you need to dry the earthen lump

You should especially pay attention to watering at the time of active growing season. After the end of flowering, watering the plant is reduced to a minimum.

Top dressing and fertilization

In the spring, when begonia enters the growing season and new leaves appear on it, it is watered with fertilizers that contain nitrogen once every two weeks.
To nourish flowering begonias, in the summer every fourteen days, they are fed with fertilizers that contain potassium.

Chlorine is harmful for a flower, so you need to be careful when choosing a fertilizer, and do not forget to defend the water before watering.

Temperature and lighting

The plant loves bright light, but cannot stand direct sunlight. It is best to keep it on a well-lit windowsill, but not in the sun. In summer, the begonia must be shaded and left a short distance from the window.

Also, the flower is picky about the room temperature:

He does not tolerate extreme heat. A comfortable temperature for him is up to 24 degrees Celsius.
In winter, for this plant, it is necessary to maintain a temperature of at least 15 degrees.

Pruning

Before the pruning process, you need to inspect the flower for the presence of pests.

Pruning of the plant must be carried out in the spring before its active vegetation begins. This process is not necessary for all species of this plant. Decorative deciduous varieties are not pruned at all, since they have short shoots. Tuberous begonia also does not need to be circumcised.

When pruning, use only a sharp garden knife. Scissors cannot be used, as they damage the sprouts, which later rot. All sections after trimming must be treated with activated carbon.

Reproduction of tuberous begonia

There are several breeding options for tuberous begonia. This can be done by seed, dividing the tubers or grafting.

Growing tuberous begonia from seeds

This method of reproduction allows you to preserve the varietal characteristics of the plant. The growing process itself is long and laborious. Seeds should be scattered on damp ground and covered with plastic. Place the container in a sunny place and spray it daily with water. Open the pot for an hour once a day. If this is not done, the seeds may start to rot from dampness. The optimum room temperature is 24 degrees.

The seeds should sprout in 2 weeks. When 2-3 leaves appear on the sprouts, they can be seated in cups.

Tuber division

For dividing, it is best to take old tubers. It is recommended to carry it out in early spring. Until the shoots have reached 4–5 cm, the tuber can be divided into several parts, without damaging the plant itself. Places of cuts are treated with charcoal powder or a special preparation.

After dividing, parts of the tubers are planted in different pots. Further, they need to be looked after as full-fledged plants.

Reproduction of begonia tuberous cuttings

Cutting is the fastest and easiest method for propagating a plant. You will need a shoot 10 cm long with several leaves. The cut is sprinkled with charcoal powder. Rooting should be done in moist soil in a bright and warm place. The soil should not touch the cutting leaves.

The planted stalk is covered with a jar and aired daily. After 3 weeks, it can be transplanted into a pot.

Follow-up care rules

No matter how the seedling is obtained, caring for it requires the following rules:

the growth point should always be above the surface of the substrate;
after any transplant, the plant should be shaded (for at least 2 days) to reduce the effect of stress, it should be exposed to light only after making sure that the plant is doing well;
with any transplant, you should always remember about drainage;
the root system of begonias spreads shallowly, therefore, for its constant growth, it is better to select a wide pot;
the plant should receive moderate but regular watering, it is better to add water to the pan;
begonias need bright, but diffused light;
The best growth and development of begonias occurs at an air temperature of about + 20 ° C.

For more information on the intricacies of begonia breeding, see the next video.

Care rules

To achieve abundant and long flowering of tuberous begonia, you need to follow the technology of caring for it.Despite the fact that these plants are one of the most unpretentious, there are still some features in this process, especially if it grows on a home windowsill. First of all, you need:

Water properly.
Spray periodically.
Feed on time.

In summer, tuberous begonia growing on a windowsill should be watered with water at room temperature, well-separated. Watering should be abundant to provide moisture and nutrients to the blooming flowers.

Top dressing is best done several times during the flowering period. For this purpose, formulations with minerals are used. But you need to make sure that there is no excess moisture in the root system, otherwise the young tubers will simply be wiped out. When watering, make sure that moisture does not get on the leaves, this can provoke their burns and subsequently decay.

When begonia stops flowering, you need to reduce the amount of watering. After the stem dies off, the tubers are dug up and sent for storage. Top dressing is carried out alternately with mineral and organic compounds, after two weeks: starting in May and ending in October. The first time fertilization is applied when transplanting begonias to ensure good growth and beautiful flowering.

Breeding features

Such a beautiful flower as begonia is very often used when creating landscaping for gardens and backyards. It blooms for a long time. Various varieties and have a wide range of colors. Begonias reproduce in the following ways:

seeds;
cuttings;
tubers.

The latter option is more common. The fact is that seed reproduction requires additional manipulations, care and a lot of time.

Cuttings are made from fairly large and powerful shoots. This happens in May. The shoots are watered so that the soil is not waterlogged. Otherwise, the plant will simply rot.

When propagating by tubers, it is enough to divide the mature root into several parts and wait for the sprouts to appear. It is best to use tubers that have grown for at least five years.

Planting in a pot

First of all, it should be said that the container in which you will plant the tuber should not be too deep, since the root system of the plant is of a surface type.

You can plant several begonias in a wide container. The distance between them can be as little as ten centimeters. This is enough for the flower to sprout and begin to develop.

Watering should be carried out along the edge of the container, being careful not to get water on the plant. Sometimes inexperienced growers cover the tuber with a part of a plastic bottle. But experts consider this approach to be erroneous. Begonia, after greenhouse conditions, is very difficult to adapt to normal conditions, and even gliding sunlight can burn them.

The container is placed on the home window, where there is no scorching sun. The air temperature in the room should be more than sixteen degrees Celsius.

Flowers are planted in open ground after the morning frosts have passed. But before that you need to harden. Seedlings are taken out into the open air at first for only a few minutes, and then the interval is increased.

The use of a greenhouse is allowed. But at the same time, you need to constantly monitor the condition of the plant and, if necessary, take measures to preserve them.

In a flower bed, flowers are planted at some distance from each other. Watering is done early in the morning, making sure that the soil is not too wet.

When the begonia fades, the ground part is cut off, and after ten days the tubers are dug up. After cleaning from the ground, they are placed in peat or special moss. You can store them in a dry basement or in the refrigerator.

Ornamental plant

Begonia has been known since the end of the XYII century. Various types of plants adorn gardens and squares, window sills and loggias of modern apartments. There are 2 types of this plant: decorative flowering and decorative deciduous.

Both the flowers and the leaves of the bushes are unusually elegant, original and not similar to each other.Flowers come in various colors and shades.

Leaves can be of the most unusual shape: flat, long, convex with patterned edges. All types of plants are beautiful in their own way.

Before starting a plant, a florist should carefully consider the photo of begonia, choose the flower that he especially likes.

Correct home planting by scion and other methods

There are a huge number of ways to breed begonias:

seeds;
cuttings;
leaves;
tubers;
rhizomes;
lateral processes (children);
dividing the bush.

Regardless of the method chosen, you need to remember that planting is best done in the spring, because it is during this period that the chances of successful rooting of a young plant are most likely. For the first planting, it is better to choose small containers with a diameter of up to 10 cm.

Despite the fact that adult begonias feel better in ceramic pots, a plastic one is quite suitable for a young plant, since in less than a year, in case of successful rooting, it will have to be transplanted. You need to understand that a young plant is much more fragile than its adult relatives, so it needs to create optimal conditions. This can be done with the help of a polyethylene greenhouse, in which high temperature and humidity will be constantly maintained.

Important! Begonias do not tolerate a drop in temperature (the minimum permissible value is +15 degrees), but overheating is no less destructive for them. The temperature in the greenhouse should not exceed +28 degrees, otherwise it can cause irreparable harm to the plant.

How to store tubers correctly

In winter, begonia tubers can be stored in an apartment or basement. Each of these options has its own nuances.

Storage in the apartment

In an apartment, flower tubers are recommended to be stored in a cool place. This could be under a window or a balcony door. The temperature should be between 0 and 9 degrees.

There are 3 main storage options:

In a box or box. Sprinkle the tubers with sand, sawdust or peat.
In pots. The container is transferred to a cool place, while all the green part is cut off. The soil needs to be watered periodically, it should remain slightly damp.
In fridge. The tubers are thoroughly dried, placed in perforated bags and wrapped in paper. They are best kept at the bottom of the refrigerator with fruits and vegetables.

When stored in pots, there is a risk of decay. To avoid it, the soil should be watered through the pallet.

Basement storage

The basement must be dry and cool. A cellar for storing begonias will not work. There is a lot of moisture in it and the planting material can begin to rot. The tubers are placed in a box or box. They must be covered with sawdust or sand.

Reproduction

Begonia is propagated by a variety of methods. To do this, use cuttings or dividing the bush. It is also done by seeds.

Leafy cuttings

Most begonias have large, dense leaves. Therefore, they are propagated by cuttings, using a whole leaf or a fragment of it. At the same time, on the underside of the plate, it is worth cutting the main veins, laying it on wet sand and securing it. Moisten the soil - through the pallet.

After 2 months, roots will appear in the incision zones, and then new plants will appear. When the culture gets stronger, it is transferred to a separate container filled with a mixture of peat, earth and sand.

Stem cuttings

This is the simplest way a culture propagates. To do this, cut off cuttings with 3-4 leaves from the plant and treat the cuts with charcoal. Place the material in a mixture of peat, leaf earth and sand. Place in a warm place with plenty of light.

It is recommended to water the crop in moderation. The soil should dry a couple of centimeters between wetting procedures. Rooting can be carried out directly in the water. The roots will appear after about 1 month.

Dividing the bush

To implement this method, the plant should be pulled out of the ground in the spring, and the roots should be divided into fragments with a sharp knife. Each of them must have roots, at least 1 shoot or bud. Plant the shoots in different pots.

Growing from seeds

Seeds should be planted in winter in a special mixture of soil, sand, peat. To improve seed germination, good lighting, optimal humidity and low air temperature are required.

It is important that the soil does not dry out. Before the sprouts appear, the container can be covered with glass.

When seedlings appear, it is worth applying fertilizers with a nitrogen content. The grown bushes are moved to separate containers.

Diseases and pests

Begonia is a capricious plant that needs constant care. If agricultural technology is violated, the flower can be attacked by insects and hurt.

The main pests:

leaf nematode;
greenhouse aphid;
spider mite.

The nematode affects young shoots and buds, as a result the plant dies. To eliminate the pest, flower bushes must be treated with heterophos. The affected areas of the plant are removed and burned.

Greenhouse aphids feed on plant sap. To get rid of it, it is recommended to use tobacco infusion, soap solution or insecticides.

The spider mite forms a thin web on the leaves. After that, they turn yellow and fall off. With a strong infection, flowering stops and the plant dies. To combat spider mites, it is recommended to spray with an infusion of onions and garlic. Near the plant itself, you need to put a container with chopped garlic.

Possible diseases:

Powdery mildew. It affects the aerial part of the plant. White patches of plaque appear and the leaves begin to dry out. To treat the flower, fungicides or a copper-soap solution are used.
Gray rot. This fungal disease appears as gray spots. The plant must be treated with Benomil.
Bacterial spotting. Formed on the lower leaves in the form of small watery spots. For treatment, spraying with a systemic fungicide is carried out.
Tomato virus. Yellow-green spots form on the leaves. Affected plants are destroyed.

The main reason for the development of diseases is constant waterlogging, which contributes to the reproduction of pests. Improper care leads to curling diseases.

Begonia propagation by a leaf.

1 way.

Begonias have fairly large and dense leaf plates that can
be used for breeding. Both the entire leaf and its part of the leaf
can give babies after rooting. Sheet
choose dense without damage, on its back side on the main veins
be sure to make cuts at intervals of 2 cm. The rooting substrate must be
special, you can additionally add sand or vermiculite to it. Sheet
it is advisable to treat begonias and the substrate with a solution of phytosporin, which
prevent leaf decay.

After that, the begonia leaf with incised veins is laid on the substrate,
well pressed and fixed in this position, for example, with something that can
serve as weights. A greenhouse is installed above the sheet, watering is carried out
only through a pallet or from a spray bottle. The container with the sheet is placed in a warm (24 ° C) and slightly shaded place.

On average, after 2 months the leaf takes root, the roots appear exactly from those
places on the vein that have been incised. Later, children appear who
separated from the leaf when they get stronger and planted in separate pots.

Begonia Escargot.

Method 2.

Begonia can also be propagated with a leaf with a petiole, which is rooted in settled water with the addition of activated carbon. The leaf should be healthy, dense, with a petiole of no more than 3-4 cm.

The condition of the leaf and the water level must be constantly monitored. Water is necessary
pour regularly, and at the slightest manifestations of rot on the leaf petiole
it is necessary to take measures: change the water by adding a new tablet of activated
coal, cut the cut, dry it, grind it with crushed activated carbon and
put in water again. Begonia leaf
planted in the substrate when the roots reach 2 cm.

Growing from a tuber

In the fall, the tubers should be removed from the ground, peeled and stored all winter in sand or peat at a temperature of about 10 degrees. In February, the tubers must be planted in pots with moderate watering.

If you do not have your own planting material, then it can be purchased at the store. You need to choose tubers that have small sprouts.

Sprouting tubers

Spread the purchased tubers in a warm place in the light on a damp cloth and wait for small roots to appear and plant in pots. The thickness of the soil above the tuber should be about 2 cm.

When the threat of frost passes, begonias, together with pots, can be planted in a flower bed.

With the arrival of the first frost, the pots of flowers should be moved indoors, the stems removed, and the pots should be placed in a cool place until spring and, in no case, should be watered.

Sprouting in a pot

When the first sprout appears from the pot at the beginning of spring, it is necessary to slightly clean the tuber from the ground. This will make it easier for him to germinate.

You can also do this. The tuber must be cleaned of old roots and planted in pots. We put the pots in the light and water them regularly. It is not advisable to cover the top of the tuber with earth. After 1.5-3 weeks, sprouts will appear.

Reproduction of tubers

To increase the amount of planting material, the nodule can be cut into pieces. This is done when the sprouts grow up to 5 cm. Then the places of the cuts should be sprinkled with crushed coal, dried, put back in pots and wait for new sprouts.

Now we will tell you how to grow begonias with seeds.

The need for pruning: do all varieties need to be pruned?

It is necessary to prune the plant, without this procedure it is simply impossible to grow a beautiful and healthy creation of flora. If you do not steadily remove part of the shoots, old leaves, then the foliage and flowers are crushed, the decorative effect will not be the same as it should be. But not all types of begonias are pruned:

Eternal Blossoming, Rex, Royal and their hybrids - do not need pruning.
Thick-bore are shortened if necessary to form a bush.
To stimulate the development of side shoots in ampel begonias, you need to trim the tops of the stems.
Shrub species are pruned, leaving hemp 7 centimeters high. Usually, old shoots are removed in the spring.