One of the reasons of the increased interest of flower growers to this plant is its unpretentiousness. Knowing some of the characteristics of care for begonia, it is not difficult to grow it at home. What she likes and does not like, what conditions she needs to create - the topic of this article.
There are quite a few varieties of this flower. Begonias are subdivided into shrubby and herbaceous, leafy and tuberous - the classification is rather complicated. Suffice it to say that about 1000 species of this plant are known. The author considers it correct to give only general recommendations for caring for him, since it is impossible in one article to display individual nuances of the contents of a particular variety, and it makes no sense.
- First, all begonias that are bred at home, in fact - hybrid forms, which combine the properties of individual species.
- Secondly, it is only the specialized specialist( florist) who can determine the belonging of a particular flower to one or the other, but not the seller in the flower shop or the amateur horticulturist. The probability of error is quite large.
Practice shows that the following rules are equally good for all decorative begonias that are in our homes( for example, "Griffin", "Angel Wings", "Red-leafed", "Napoleon's Ear").
Conditions of maintenance and care
It should be guided that the habitat of this plant in nature is tropics and subtropics.
Temperature mode
This flower loves heat, so the optimal conditions for it are 20 - 22( ± 2) ºС.At temperatures below 18 ° C, the flower begins to feel uncomfortable and can hurt.
Indoor humidity
It must be at least 75( ± 5)%.Create such conditions in the room is not always possible, and not all households can like it. The yield is simple - it is artificial to increase the humidity on that segment of the room where the flower is located.
For example, if it is on a window sill, a small container with water( a glass, a jar) is next to it. Natural evaporation of moisture from such a "reservoir" is enough to make begonia feel comfortable.
In addition, it is necessary to reduce the intensity of dehumidification. For this purpose it is advisable to lay on it, for example, sphagnum moss or drainage of fine fractions. Watering it does not hurt, but moisture will stay in the soil longer. Especially if the begonia is on the windowsill, directly next to the radiator.
Begonia primer
The root system of begonias is rather tender, so the soil in the pot must be "light".Drainage is mandatory, since stagnant water in the soil will lead to decay of the roots and death of the plant. Acidity is weak. And it is necessary - the saturation of the soil with nutrients.
It is rather difficult to prepare such a soil. Since for begonia does not need much land, it is advisable to buy a ready-made compound. Sold in any specialized store. Approximate price - 110 rubles / package( per 10 liters).Enough for a few flowerpots, and not just for begonias.
Lighting
Light must be sufficient, but not direct sunlight. They cause burns to the leaves, which adversely affects the development of begonia.
Young plants need more intensive lighting, which has a beneficial effect on their growth. This should be taken into account when choosing a place for them.
Watering
It is difficult to determine its regularity, as the conditions of its contents, pot volume, soil characteristics and drainage are different in each house. It is possible to understand whether begonia should be watered by the condition of the upper soil layer. If it has dried to a level of about 1.5 - 2 cm, then it is necessary. However, the flower can not be poured, everything should be in moderation.
Requirements for water, which is taken from the water pipe, as for other domestic plants - room temperature. And it's well-kept. What does this mean? In the process of water treatment chlorine is used at the stations. Its presence in water for many plants is fatal. How much should she defend? The "holding time" depends on the capacity in which the liquid is collected. For example, if it is a basin or a bucket, then 6-8 hours if the bottle is not less than a day is enough.
Experienced growers always keep one or more plastic "one and a half" or "two" with water in the house. After watering the flowers, the bottles are refilled and placed in a convenient place for the hostess( so as not to interfere) until the next time. A repeat - a few days. This time is quite enough for chlorine and its containing chemical / compounds to completely escape through the neck, and the temperature of the water leveled off from the room.
Soil loosening
This should be done regularly, after each watering. Water, seeping into the soil, compacts it, thereby disrupting air access to the root system of begonia. That is why it was noted that the soil for it should be "easy".
What to loosen? Some kind of pointed object, only not metal. For example, a plastic rod, a pencil or a piece of a planed wooden bead. The main thing is to maintain a certain level and not penetrate the "tool" deep into the ground, so as not to damage the roots of begonia.
Addition
The frequency depends on the composition of the used soil, so approximately - every 2 weeks. This is enough to ensure that the plant receives all the necessary nutrients in a timely manner. You can use fertilizers cooked at home.
Transplant
It is not necessary to get involved in this, focusing only on the correspondence of the sizes of the begonia and the flowerpot. The flower does not like the frequent change of "place of residence".To transplant an adult plant costs not more often than once in 3 years, young - depending on the intensity of its development. If it went well, then it is allowed to change the pot to a more voluminous one already next spring.
Reproduction
Specificity depends on which group of plants( tuber, leaf, bush) belongs to this begonia. Since many amateur flower growers themselves can not determine this, it is better to conduct an experiment - to prepare 3 flowerpots and multiply in several ways. In what pot the plant will develop, this way of planting in the future should be guided.
Leaves or cuttings( naturally, the most healthy) are placed in a mixture of peat( 1 h) + sand( 3h), moisturize and put a pot( box, basin) in the utility room of the month at 1.5.On top of the dishes covered with a material that must be permeable to air, but not for light. At the end of the agreed time, if the germ has passed through, a transplant is made to the vase where the begonia will develop.
Tubers are also placed in a mixture or simply in coarse( river) sand, but in the fall, and kept until spring. The temperature in the room where the storage is organized should be at the level of 8( ± 2) 0С.To plant a tuber in spring, select a small pot, which is about ½ filled with nutrient mixture.
After this, it is enough only to regularly irrigate the soil. First, the root system is formed, after which the escape will appear. And only after that the soil is poured( up to the required level) and the pot is transferred to the window sill, closer to the light.
Useful tips
Experienced growers advise - if the begonia is bought( or donated), then it should immediately be transplanted. Argumentation - it is necessary to assess the condition of its root system, to make sure there are no signs of disease, pests. After all, it is not known where, by whom and how the plant was kept until sale. If any "negative" is found, then there will be an opportunity to take emergency measures. But when the flower begins to stain before your eyes, it may be too late.
Before you start begonia in the house, you need to familiarize yourself with the characteristic signs of her diseases or that the plant is uncomfortable. For example, faded leaves - insufficient illumination, their falling - lack of water.
This knowledge will not only determine the correctness of care for the plant, but also reveal its disease at an early stage.
