Beautiful Flowering Begonias Are A Unique Show. Growing And Caring At Home. Photo

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Beautiful Flowering Begonias Are A Unique Show. Growing And Caring At Home. Photo
Beautiful Flowering Begonias Are A Unique Show. Growing And Caring At Home. Photo

Video: Beautiful Flowering Begonias Are A Unique Show. Growing And Caring At Home. Photo

Video: Beautiful Flowering Begonias Are A Unique Show. Growing And Caring At Home. Photo
Video: Non stop begonia - grow & care (Great also as Houseplant) 2024, March
Anonim

Blooming begonias make a real show in the house. Not a single plant can compete with them either by the saturation of colors, or by the flashiness and splendor. Despite the fact that flowering varieties of begonias have long become cult plants and are far from exotic, it is still appropriate to classify them as modern, not classical, cultures. Imposing and daring, they offer to admire their acrylics and perfect shapes. And although these are not the simplest plants, they are unique in every sense of the word.

Begonia elatior
Begonia elatior

Content:

  • Special begonias with bright flowering
  • Varieties and types of flowering begonias
  • Caring for flowering begonias at home
  • Pruning, rejuvenating and supporting begonias
  • Transplant and substrate
  • Diseases and pests
  • Reproduction of flowering begonias

Special begonias with bright flowering

It is no coincidence that beautifully flowering begonias have become the most popular varieties of these amazing plants and have long overshadowed their deciduous and tuberous competitors. The division of indoor begonias into two groups, which are considered almost cardinally different, is not accidental and fully justified. And although decorative leafy begonias are also worth looking at, and they are not as simple as it might seem, flowering begonias are still the absolute favorites of the genus Begonia in a room format.

Begonias with beautiful flowering became famous for the simple flowers or flowers of varying degrees of doubleness, collected in 1-2 loose or denser shields, the shape of which is often compared to a head of cabbage. True, with the current variety of flowering begonias, you can also find flowers similar in shape to a rose, peony, star-shaped, anemone, carnation or other original flowers. Flowering begonias in height are limited to 20-50 cm, develop in the form of a compact and lush bush or ampelous plant with hanging shoots (ampel begonias have flowers collected in spectacular drooping bunches).

Begonia leaves do not in any way resemble variegated decorative-deciduous varieties, but upon closer examination, their similarity is obvious. Like all begonias, flowering leaves are asymmetrical, most often heart-shaped, with a jagged edge. Their color ranges from dark to fairly bright medium greens and light greens, can be herbaceous or emerald green, and more recently, varieties with purple leaves have become more popular.

Varieties and types of flowering begonias

When it comes to the species and varietal diversity of flowering begonias, one should prepare for uncertainty and confusion. The thing is that all modern begonias with beautiful flowering are hybrids. And even if we are talking about a specific variety, it is still presented for sale by varieties that have undergone a long and complex selection.

When choosing flowering begonias, it is not necessary to strictly follow the botanical name of plants, because often the same varieties in different catalogs are called differently. The main thing is the decorativeness of the plant. Begonias are chosen with heart and eyes, to your taste and for your interior.

The choice of flowering begonias is not limited in any parameter. Only by the color palette, they range from the brightest to the lightest and most unusual variations of white, yellow, pink, orange, red, purple colors, not to mention a variety of watercolor and contrasting two-tone combinations that further expand the color palette of beautifully flowering begonias.

Begonia napellus, or ever-flowering begonia (Begonia cucullata)
Begonia napellus, or ever-flowering begonia (Begonia cucullata)

The most popular varieties of flowering begonias

Begonia varieties vechnotsvetuschey or vsegdatsvetuschey (today awarded the species name Begonia cucullata (Begonia cucullata), but still it is better known as Begonia semperflorens) - this type of hybrid begonias, which have received more than 5 by crossing different varieties of Latin American begonias. These are shrubs with simple ovoid, dark red or green, glossy leaves, located alternately on succulent shoots. Each plant flaunts loose inflorescences of white, pink or red flowers that appear on long peduncles from the leaf axils.

Flowers can be either double or simple. The evergreen begonia blooms constantly and tirelessly. The visible differences make it easy to distinguish between plants with male four-petal flowers and specimens with female five-petal flowers. This begonia has a huge number of varieties and series of varieties - from small (up to 20 cm) 'Cocktail', 'Eureka', 'Olimpia', 'Queen' to medium-sized (about 25 cm) 'Ambassador', 'Vision', 'Victory 'up to half-meter begonias of the' Stara ',' Lotto ',' Baby Wing Pink ',' Inferno 'series.

Hybrids of the 'Elatior' group (they are mistakenly associated with tall begonia, a species plant that most often continues to be distributed under the botanical name Begonia elatior, although according to the latest data it was re-qualified as the species Begonia reniformis; here it is more appropriate to talk about a separate group of varieties, and not about hybrids of the same plant - Begonia x hybrida 'Elatior').

By their popularity, varieties are obligatory for larger flowers resembling anemones and roses, an abundance of colors and the ability to bloom in winter or almost tirelessly (in some catalogs they are even advertised as blooming all year round, although they still need a rest period). "Elatior" is grown both in the room and in the garden culture. Plants form lush, compact shrubs with bright flowers that densely cover the entire bush.

The begonias of the 'Lorraine' group are winter flowering varieties of begonias, which are one of the brightest decorations of the winter interior. The color palette of these begonias is limited only to white and pink shades, but the bushes resemble blooming clouds.

The begonias of the group 'Belleconia', 'Pendula' and other ampelous begonias are ampelous plants with luxurious watercolor double flowers that seem to be drooping roses. Bunches of drooping flowers are combined with an interesting pattern of hanging shoots.

Both bush and ampelous varieties of tuberous begonias (Begonia x tuberhybrida) can be grown as a flowering plant in indoor conditions. These plants, familiar mainly from potting and container gardening, are capable of blooming in open soil.

Tuberous begonias thrive in the same conditions as traditional indoor, flowering begonias. After flowering, the aerial part completely dies off, and the tubers are kept in almost dry conditions in a cool (12-15 degrees) for about three months, after which they are transplanted and returned to a normal environment to stimulate flowering, gently resuming watering and feeding.

Flowering begonia cascading
Flowering begonia cascading

Caring for flowering begonias at home

Beautifully flowering begonias are not complex and demanding plants. To maintain and enjoy the relentless bloom most of the year, plants will still need to be carefully cared for. But there are no special difficulties in growing flowering beauties, they are suitable even for novice growers. The only drawback is the fragility of the plants, the need for rejuvenation every few years.

Lighting for flowering begonias

Like almost all begonias, flowering hybrids adapt well to different lighting conditions, but only in light diffused and slightly semi-shaded locations. Plants cannot stand direct sunlight, especially in the summer. Western and eastern window sills are considered ideal for these begonias. Optimally, the duration of daylight hours for flowering begonias should be 16 hours. In winter, plants at the flowering stage are recommended to be supplemented or rearranged to more illuminated places.

During the entire flowering stage, the begonias should not be turned and preferably not moved. A sudden change in lighting, especially a shift in relation to the light source, begonia can respond by dropping buds or flowers.

Comfortable temperature

Begonias with luxurious flowering are relatively undemanding to temperatures. The main thing to take care of is to limit the minimum permissible temperature in winter to 18-20 degrees Celsius. But in the rest of the year, flowering begonias adapt well to normal indoor conditions. Any indicators in the range from 20 to 25 degrees Celsius are considered optimal.

Begonias love stability, they must be protected from sudden temperature fluctuations, especially in the budding and flowering phase, as well as from excessive heat, which shortens the flowering period.

Most new begonias are not purely indoor plants. They feel no worse both as a balcony and as a potted garden plant. But they cannot stand drafts and sudden changes in conditions, they need to gradually adapt to fresh air and new premises. Plants need to be protected from drafts, and also make sure that the earthen lump does not overcool during the cold season.

Watering and air humidity

To succeed in growing begonias and admire the abundant flowering for many months, you need to carefully control the moisture of the substrate. For flowering begonias, moderate watering is needed to maintain light, stable moisture. These procedures are carried out by allowing the top soil to dry out.

Begonias do not like not only stagnant water, but also excessive moisture with abundant watering, sharp fluctuations in substrate moisture. Overflows are very dangerous for them. In winter, watering is reduced to minimal, maintaining only light moisture in the soil and allowing it to dry out almost completely between treatments.

For flowering begonias, only soft, settled water is used. It is necessary to monitor its temperature, which should correspond to the room temperature.

High air humidity is an important measure for achieving particularly spectacular flowering and extending its duration. But, as with any other plants of this genus, spraying for begonias is prohibited. It is possible to increase the air humidity for these plants by other methods - placing them on a pallet with damp pebbles or expanded clay, installing humidifiers, etc. Flowering begonias do not need "tropical" humidity; average values and protection from dry air in summer and during the heating season are enough for them.

Flowering begonia
Flowering begonia

Top dressing for flowering begonias

Despite their abundant and prolonged flowering, begonias do not need abundant feeding. These plants are sensitive to excess mineral salts, so fertilization is applied sparingly and at a standard frequency. The optimal frequency of procedures is 1 time in 14-15 days when using the full dose of fertilizers or weekly feeding with a half-reduced amount of fertilizers. Feeding is carried out during the entire period of flowering and active growing season.

It is best to choose fertilizers specially designed for begonias for flowering begonias, but complex mixtures designed for flowering plants with a full representation of trace elements are also suitable. Please note that flowering begonias do not tolerate sulfur, but respond positively to the addition of manganese and boron (additional fertilizing with boric acid and potassium permanganate can be carried out in a proportion of 0.1 g per 1 liter of water).

Pruning, rejuvenating and supporting begonias

Beautifully flowering begonias are usually pruned immediately after flowering. The need for pruning and its features should be clarified when buying. In ever-flowering begonias, they usually simply shorten the elongated shoots and remove the damaged and weak ones. The rest of the pruning is reduced to removing the peduncles.

Due to the long and lush flowering, flowering begonias lose both abundance and compactness with age. If the bushes lose their decorative effect, they are recommended to be renewed by cuttings. Cardinal pruning is not suitable for flowering begonias as a method of rejuvenation. The standard frequency of rejuvenation is once every 2-3 years.

Beautifully flowering begonias are not only compact, but also very massive, and ampelous plants are even capable of growing to huge sizes. Due to their fragility, shoots are not always able to withstand the weight of huge inflorescences, and the most lush and massive, abundantly flowering begonias may need support in the form of a ladder or a circular "loop" to prevent breaking juicy shoots.

Transplant and substrate

Beautifully flowering begonias are transplanted immediately after flowering or before growth begins, very early, in February. A post-flowering transplant strategy is considered safer. The plant is pruned, after which it is transferred to a fresh substrate. Very mature plants can be transplanted every 2 years, but are usually transplanted annually.

The selection of the substrate for begonias is very important. Beautiful flowering begonias do not tolerate soil compaction, and the soil mixture should be loose, breathable and light. There are special substrates for begonias on sale, but a mixture with a fairly fibrous structure is also suitable (a combination of heather and garden soil with manure in a ratio of 5: 5: 1, turf soil with peat, humus and sand in equal proportions, etc.).

Slightly acidic substrates with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5 are preferred. Perlite or vermiculite can be added to the soil to improve air permeability.

The transplant of flowering begonias is carried out carefully, removing the free soil at the bottom of the earthen coma, but trying to avoid contact with the superficial root system. The main task is to lay a high, powerful drainage at the bottom of the tank.

For flowering begonias, wide containers are preferred, in which the depth is less than the diameter. To reduce the risk of waterlogging in the soil and optimize air exchange in the substrate, it is better to choose sufficiently compact containers (traditionally, even large flowering begonias are grown in containers with a diameter of about 14 cm).

Diseases and pests

The greatest danger to flowering begonias is powdery mildew. Most often, it is recommended to immediately destroy the infected plant, since the fight, even with the use of fungicides, rarely brings positive results, and begonia almost always dies or so significantly loses its decorative effect that it is more expedient to save it by propagating from a cutting. Occurs on flowering begonias and gray rot (with waterlogged soil), and aphids, which are best dealt with immediately with insecticides.

Common growing problems:

  • the appearance of spots on the leaves when water drops;
  • dropping buds in drafts or with a sharp temperature drop;
  • shedding leaves in the cold;
  • blanching of leaves and stretching of shoots with strong shading;
  • drying of leaf edges and browning of leaves in direct sun or in extremely dry air.
Begonia napellus, or ever-flowering begonia (Begonia cucullata)
Begonia napellus, or ever-flowering begonia (Begonia cucullata)

Reproduction of flowering begonias

The best breeding method for luxurious hybrid begonias is by cuttings. In these plants, leaf cuttings can be used to produce new plants. But the easiest way is to root apical cuttings of standard 7-10 cm in length, cut from vegetative (non-flowering) shoots. The optimal time is spring or summer. The cuttings are rooted in wet sand under a hood.

In large, tall specimens, the simplest method can be used as a breeding method - separating the bushes. But it does not lead to rejuvenation, and the plant will still have to be renewed with the same frequency, so it is better to immediately prefer cuttings.

Non-hybrid begonias with simple rather than double flowers are propagated by seeds. They are sown on the surface of the soil in early spring or immediately after collection, without covering with soil and germinated under a film or glass in bright light and warm. Seedlings develop quickly, they dive at the stage of the second leaf. Young plants should be protected from waterlogging.

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