Growing Royal Begonias, Tuberous And Other Types Of Begonias In Rooms And In The Garden (part 2)

2024 Author: Sebastian Paterson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:47

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"Napoleon's ear" on the windowsill

Ever-flowering begonia is propagatedsowing seeds in mid-winter (early January), but the easiest way is to buy seedlings in the spring and keep them as a pot culture. Cuttings root perfectly in the water throughout the season, and several plants of different varieties can be propagated into a whole collection for the balcony, garden and rooms. To get a more lush bush, you can plant 2-3 rooted cuttings in one pot or pinch the tops of growing shoots. The substrate is prepared from a mixture of ready-made flower peat soils with humus, sand or perlite (pH 5.0-6.5). Broken shards or expanded clay are placed at the bottom of the pot for drainage; a long-acting complex fertilizer in the form of AVA powder, AVA with nitrogen (1 tsp per 1 l of substrate) or AVA-N capsules can be added to the substrate to facilitate plant care. AVA is free of chlorine and nitrogen (granules),dissolves slowly under the influence of plant root secretions. For begonias, this is the most suitable option, since the risk of burning thin delicate roots is excluded. If it is necessary to increase the leaf mass, give organic or mineral nitrogen fertilizing. Now, with the introduction of the AVA nitrogen brand, it is easy to feed these plants, like many others.

Ever-flowering begonia is perfectly combined in balcony or garden boxes with snow-white alissum flowers with a honey aroma, graceful garlands of the finest ampelous lobelia stems, strewn with numerous blue, blue, white, pink small flowers; velvety carved leaves of a seaside silver-gray cineraria; lilac-blue heads of ageratum, gilia. In the fall, before the onset of frost, begonia is dug out of the ground, planted in pots and brought into the house, where it continues to bloom almost until winter, if you turn on additional lighting in the evenings. At this time, self-seeding of begonia occurs from fallen bolls with the smallest seeds. The emerged seedlings can be placed in a transparent plastic container with expanded clay at the bottom, it is convenient to maintain the necessary air and substrate humidity in it. In winter, babies are kept under a lampas the seedlings grow up, they dive in bunches of several pieces, in the spring they are planted in pots. They are planted in flower beds after the end of frost, but in warm weather - and in May, but the covering material must be kept ready.

Everyone knows and is loved by all the abundantly flowering

tuberous begonias.… In the spring, they wake up from sleep, sprout with pink buds. Tubers are exposed to light in March, sprayed with warm water, "driving out" for earlier flowering. After a while, they are planted in pots, it can be in peat pots, so that in summer they can be planted directly in them in a flower garden or container on a balcony or terrace. The substrate needs a nutritious, light, air and water permeable, with a pH of 5.5-6.8. If there are several buds, the tubers can be cut with a sterile knife so that each part has at least one bud. Sections are powdered with activated carbon powder, dried, then planted in small pots, deepening the tuber by two-thirds of the height. As usual, a drain is placed on the bottom of the pot, and long-acting AVA-N granules or capsules are added to the substrate. They are kept in a bright place in the house or balcony, garden, but still not in direct sun. However, there are varietiesincluding ampelous ones, which retain their decorative effect and long flowering on the south side of the house. In spring and summer, tuberous begonias can be propagated by cuttings.

In the fall, before frost, tuberous begonias are brought into the house. If they are still blooming, continue with moderate watering to the edge of the pot. Gradually reduce watering and stop altogether. The tubers are taken out of the ground and placed in a box or pot with sand, perlite, peat, where they "sleep" until spring at a temperature of + 6 … + 10 ° C (like gladioli).

Among the flowering begonias in recent years, the group of begonias Elatior, or

Begonia hiemalis, has especially attracted attention.

… These begonias bloom all year round, including in the winter months, with rather large, often double, rose-like flowers. Flowers of bright colors - red, orange, salmon, yellow, pink. The height of the plants does not exceed 20-40 cm. It is better to keep them in a bright, but not sunny place at a winter temperature not lower than + 16 … + 18 ° С. This is a short day plant. The substrate needs a nutritious one with the addition of AVA powder with nitrogen, pH 5.0-6.0. The air must be humidified by placing flowers on wet expanded clay, or using fountains, air humidifiers. At the same time, it is undesirable to spray species with a velvety leaf surface directly on the leaves - this can lead to a loss of their decorative effect - it is better to spray the air space around the flowers.

Begonias reproduce mainly by leaf and apical cuttings.

The beauty and diversity of these tropical plants is undeniable, begonias will adorn any interior - both at home, in the garden, and in the office. In addition, begonias are resistant to diseases and pests, actively humidify indoor air and absorb volatile chemical compounds, which makes these plants not only easy to care for, but also extremely beneficial for health.

Elena Kuzmina, Pushkin

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