Good afternoon, my reader. Begonia is a plant that can be grown both in gardens and parks, and at home on a windowsill. But what is needed for a begonia to be healthy and beautiful?
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Briefly about the plant
Begonia is a plant from the Begoniev family. It was first described back in the 17th century by the naturalist Michel Begon (the flower was named after him). decorative species began about a century later - first in greenhouses, then varieties suitable for open air.
There are many forms and varieties of this plant, but they are all divided into two types:
- Blossoming, grown for flowers.
- Deciduous, decorating a place or room with their bright leaves.
Home care
The easiest way to grow begonia at home is where it blooms longer and turns green more abundantly.
General growing conditions
At home, begonia needs warmth (at least 22 degrees in summer, at least 15 in winter) and illumination - prolonged, but moderate: it does not tolerate direct rays of the summer sun. Originally from the humid tropics, begonia loves humidity, but not spraying, which makes the plant sick. It is best to put the begonia pot inside a larger container, cover the empty space between the inner and outer walls with expanded clay and pour plenty of water.
Water the begonias often, but so that the water does not stagnate. Watering is done when the topsoil has dried out by 1.5 cm. In winter they water less often, and the tuberous varieties do not moisturize at all: they go into hibernation and are stored in peat.
After the onset of flowering, fertilizing is carried out every 2 weeks. Deciduous species are fed with nitrogen compounds, flowering ones - with potassium-phosphorus compounds.
Transfer
Begonia is transplanted when the roots begin to stick out of the ground. Then either ready-made soil is purchased for this type of plant, or a mixture is prepared in a pot:
- Bottom - 1-2 cm of coarse calcined sand (for drainage).
- Then, up to half the capacity, a layer of leafy earth.
- The remainder is filled with a mixture of equal amounts of high-moor peat and humus (black soil).
The plant is transplanted in the spring, carefully removing it from the old pot, shaking off the soil from the roots and treating them with a disinfecting solution (a solution of potassium permanganate is suitable, if it is not there - boric acid or a 3% peroxide solution heated in a water bath to 40 degrees hydrogen). After that, the roots are sorted out, damaged or dead parts are removed, and then a hole is made in the soil, begonia is planted in it, sprinkled and tamped.
Reproduction of begonias
In nature, begonia propagates by seeds, but in temperate climates they do not ripen. Therefore, only vegetative methods are usually used:
- Cutting leaves.
- Stem cuttings.
- Division of the bush.
An exception is tuberous begonia: it is propagated both by seeds and by separating part of the tuber.
Diseases and pests
Because of its moisture-loving nature, begonia often suffers from fungal diseases - rot and powdery mildew. Having found their signs, it is necessary to reduce watering, remove the affected leaves or stems, and treat the rest of the plant with a fungicide (Bordeaux liquid or copper sulfate solution).
As for pests, aphids and spider mites are especially annoying. They should be treated with an insecticide - "Karbofos", "Intavir", "Fitoferm" or another drug. Uninvited guests are unlikely to like the treat. For maximum effect, put a plastic bag on the plant after processing, seal it by tightly tying the neck, and hold it for about an hour. If everything is done correctly, all that remains is to brush the dead insects off the flower.
Do you breed begonias at home?
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