If the begonia stretched out. Proper pruning of begonias

Ampelnaya begonia is a very beautiful plant. We have at least two pots with her at home, and every day we rejoice at her appearance in the house. Our begonia blooms with beautiful red flowers, which looks very bright, for example, when the weather is bad outside. Begonia care is not difficult if you know the basic rules. First of all, you need to properly water the plant, and do this business conscientiously. Also, as we already know, begonias need to be watered in different seasons, at different times. For example, in the summer, when the weather is largely hot and dry, tuberous begonias should be watered early in the morning so that moisture does not evaporate under bright rays or dry air. Water should be at room temperature. Watering is prohibited cold water, which can plunge the begonia into temperature shock, in simple words - the begonia will get sick. The same cannot be done if you notice that the soil is very overheated under the sun. Again, a temperature drop is the worst thing you can think of for a begonia. We thus simply kill its root system.

As for the soil, if we continue this topic, then it should always be in proper condition. The earth must be constantly loosened so that water and air pass better and have access to the root system. If begonia grows in your garden, as far as I know, you need to remove weeds, that is, it is good to swim through the soil so that nothing prevents tuberous begonia from growing. If your begonia, like one of ours, belongs to those varieties that grow well and high, then you need to tie up such plants, otherwise, under the weight of the begonia itself, its stems will break, and the plant will slow down in growth and development. This is also important before the flowering period, which we can simply suspend or stop in such an imprudent way.

Tuberous begonia, unlike ampelous, does not need to be pinched before the flowering period. If you are in doubt, then we can answer with accuracy that tuberous begonia develops well and bushes itself. She does not need additional methods to develop her lush crown. For example, we didn’t pinch it at all and got the same result as our friends, whose begonia belongs to a different species. Ampel begonias, which often and mostly grow in containers before planting, need the formation of lateral shoots that are most suitable for propagation or flowering, so in her case, pinching is, of course, an important care process. If you pinch a plant, then do it only with sterile hands and in one easy movement, connect different buds on different stems with two fingers - that's the whole pinching method. Do not forget that care should then be carried out somewhat more carefully than before, because any interference with the work and life of a flower, especially before some important periods, is an acutely stressful condition and begonia needs additional care, which you can completely provide to it, it was would desire and knowledge of the technique of caring for tuberous begonias.

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Pruning begonias must be carried out for bush varieties. Those varieties that are thick-bodied are pruned only when the plant becomes old. Ampelous and tuberous varieties are not pruned.

What is pruning for?

To give the flower a beautiful magnificent shape, it is necessary to prune. Without this, the plant will not bloom well, the leaves are reborn and become smaller in size.

In what cases is pruning done:

to form the shape of a flower crown;

improve flowering;

maintain the natural proportion of the root system and the bush itself;

to stimulate plant growth and rejuvenation.

Trimming types

Pruning room begonia can be done in several ways, depending on the type:

pruning lateral shoots and tops of bush begonias;

pruning before the dormant period of the tuberous variety;

pinching ampelous varieties

sanitary pruning to remove old leaves and shoots.

The type of pruning of a flower depends on its type and variety. Different varieties of pruned begonias require an individual approach.

Pruning tools.

Pruning is done for young plants, not higher than 7 cm. A special pruner or garden shears should be sharp, if the tool is blunt, the flower can be harmed. Before cutting the begonia, it is necessary to process the tools, they must be clean and dry.

Important! Scissors household purpose cannot be categorically applied. This will harm the plant.

Pruning room begonia

Carefully cut off only the top of the shoots of the plant. Trimming is done in accordance with the desired shape.

Pruning room begonia

Begonias, whose sprouts have reached 10 cm, must also be cut off above the upper kidney. After a properly performed pruning, after two weeks they begin to appear side shoots. If the haircut of your favorite plant is done according to the rules, the bush will acquire a beautiful magnificent shape.

Attention! A cropped plant should not be watered abundantly, you need to wait for the resumption of growth.

After the begonia bush has been shaped, it is necessary to constantly monitor the emerging shoots. They also need to be cut as they grow, remove dried leaves and remove those shoots that grow inside the bush.

If for some reason the flower was launched, and it lost its attractiveness, you can fix everything. The lower leaves must be removed, and the top cut off by 2 cm. This will stimulate the plant to rejuvenate and grow. New shoots will need to be pruned as expected and on time.

In the fall, it is necessary to prepare tuberous begonias for the sleep period. To do this, reduce watering, when the leaves dry, remove the part that is above the ground, leaving a stump of 2 cm.

The place for the pot should be dark and cool; in an apartment, a loggia or a niche under the bathroom is ideal. Occasionally you need to water the pot. Bush begonia should be pruned in October. This is the most suitable period. From February to March, the plant will begin to wake up and again delight its household with beautiful greenery and abundant flowering.

If the begonia is not cut before the winter period, it will not gain strength for the new spring season. The plant will become emaciated and bloom will be poor. Some begonias will only be able to pick up a bud, but the flowering itself will not begin. The buds will fall off without opening.

After flowering

Begonia after flowering photo

The flowering period of begonias lasts all summer and autumn. After the plant has faded, it must be placed in a shady place and watering should be limited. If we are talking about tuberous begonia, then pruning is done, leaving a small stump above the soil. This is done so that the tubers absorb the maximum nutrients, for next season.

After the soil in the pot dries, you can remove it under the bath or dig up the tubers. The tubers are dried and stored until the next season in a cold place, a refrigerator will do. If the begonia is bushy, the stems of the flowers are removed from it after flowering and the shoots are pruned as usual.

Ever flowering varieties

This variety of begonia undergoes pruning and pinching as needed and the growth of the plant. To form an aesthetic appearance of the flower, shoots are cut that have reached 12 - 14 cm in length. On the main stem, a longer length is left, the side ones are cut shorter.

When the plant adapts after pruning and begins active growth, you need to fix the desired height of each stem with garden clips. Then the bush will grow in accordance with the desired shape.

How to do pinching

Pinch plants to form a bush shape in autumn or spring. This should be done before the flower begins to pick up buds or after it fades. The shape of the begonia crown can be made pyramidal, spherical or bushy. Pinching is done by hand, the tops of the stems are the most tender and can be gently pinched off with your fingers.

To properly pinch, you need to find the main stem and pinch off the top sprout by 2 cm. After 15 - 20 days, the flower will begin to grow actively, side shoots will appear, and the bush will become more magnificent. The formation of the bush should be dealt with from the first days of the appearance of begonias in the house, then the plant will delight the eye with lush flowering and a beautiful crown.

What begonia is not pruned

Begonias Rex, royal varieties, as well as their hybrids photo

Rex begonias, royal varieties, as well as their hybrids, do not need pruning to form a shape. Their leaves grow from the root, and flowers are not a priority. These varieties of begonias are bred for their beautiful decorative leaves.

For these plants, pruning is carried out only for sanitary purposes. Remove old or damaged leaves and faded flowers.

How to feed begonia after pruning

After pruning, the plant is fed when the growth of new shoots begins. Overfeeding is not worth it, this can change the acidity of the soil, and begonia is demanding on the soil.

All tuberous varieties of these flowers love top dressing. Fertilizers prefer nitrogen-containing. The first time the plant is fed after the appearance of shoots, then before flowering and then, every two weeks.

Features of pruning some types of begonias

Bush varieties need pruning most of all, they grow quickly, and in order to give the plant an aesthetic appearance, it is pruned. Thick varieties are rarely pruned, more out of a desire to give nice shape green crown. All affected leaves and dried flowers are also removed by pruning. This helps to protect the plant from diseases.

Ampelous flower species are not pruned, their tops are pinched to grow side shoots and form a beautiful plant. If the plant has stopped its growth, it can be resumed by pruning, for this you need to remove the bud at the very top and the lower leaves of the plant. Do not trim the bush and transplant into a new pot at the same time. This is double stress for the plant. It is better to transplant a flower in the spring before the period of active growth, and then prune.

how to prune begonia after flowering

Why should begonia be pruned for the winter or can it not be pruned?

I don't cut, why?

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Begonia care at home

Lighting: beautifully flowering begonia species develop well on the western and eastern windows. Deciduous ornamental crops are shade-tolerant, however, lack of light can cause leaf color to fade.

Temperature: for begonias, the optimum temperature is from 15 to 25 ° C. Tropical species (Begonia foliosa, Begonia masoniana, Begonia glabra) hibernate at a temperature of 18-20°C.

Watering: during the flowering period of begonias, abundant watering is necessary, but care must be taken to ensure that the water does not stagnate. In winter, the plant is watered less often, after the earth dries. Watering tuberous species is stopped in the fall.

Humidity: Begonias need high humidity. A pot with a plant should be placed in wet peat, moss, gravel. Do not spray begonias.

Transplantation: young begonias should be transplanted annually, adults - after two years. The earth should be loose, with the addition of peat, sand and humus (about 1/5 of the volume). Bush begonias are pruned in spring.

Reproduction: to preserve the beauty of plants, it is recommended to update them every 2 to 3 years. Decorative leafy forms of begonias are propagated by cuttings and individual leaves. Bush and flowering species cuttings are cut, rhizomes are divided. Tuberous varieties are propagated by daughter tubers.
Problems when growing begonias

Angel Enlightened (28772) 4 years ago

Svetlana Oracle (73301) 4 years ago

May not be cut.

Romantic Evil ;-D Enlightened (37328) 4 years ago

begonia elatior

Double-sided flower garden
When planning such a flower garden, it is necessary to be guided by the dimensions of the plants, the characteristics of their development and the requirements for the conditions.

How to prune begonia?

Begonia is a wonderful plant that can be grown at home, on the balcony and in the garden. Many novice growers do not know how to do it right pruning begonias- a procedure without which it is impossible to grow a flower.

for the formation of the crown of a young plant;
improve the flowering of begonias;
rejuvenation and maintenance of the aesthetic appearance of the bush.

How to cut? How to prune begonia?

The first pruning is carried out during the period when the stems of the plant reach 7-8 cm, the bush can be given any shape (standard, bush, pyramidal, spherical), it depends on the preferences of the owner.

Once the plant is pruned, reduce watering until active growth begins. When the side shoots grow to 12 cm, their tops are trimmed. This procedure will help awaken the lateral kidneys. This is how a bush of a young begonia is formed, in the future you need to carefully monitor the condition of the plant, remove knocked out or dried branches and leaves, shoots directed inside the begonia.

If you still didn’t keep track, the plant has grown a lot and has become unattractive, then you can rejuvenate it by pinching off the lower shoots and top. This method does not always help to restore attractiveness to begonias, then it is easier to do re-rooting.

Pruning is carried out only with a sharp knife, in no case should you use scissors, which can severely injure the begonia. To avoid decay and speed up the healing process, the cut points must be treated with wood ash or crushed coal.

Features of the correct pruning of different varieties of begonias

How to prune an orchid after flowering

We all love the orchid for its beautiful, unique flowering. But the time comes - it fades. After reading this article, you will get an idea of whether it is worth pruning an orchid after flowering and what care it needs after this procedure.

Orchid pruning rules

As soon as you notice that the orchid has faded, there are no flowers or buds left on its peduncle, you should know that the plant goes into sleep. And that means it's time for trimming. The best time for this procedure is October-November. If the flower is not cut off, new buds will begin to appear on the old stem (provided that it has not wilted). But do not rejoice, because you must not allow the orchid to begin to bloom again. Repeated flowering will weaken the flower and it may die.

Keep in mind that there are types of orchids that tend to bloom several times a year (phalaenopsis). Therefore, if you are in doubt about when to start circumcision, it is better to carry out the procedure between October and November.

Pay attention to the type of plant, because depending on the type, the orchid is characterized by certain features of development, growth, flowering. So, for example, phalaenopsis must be cut off immediately, as soon as its flowers begin to fade, and there are orchids that this procedure should be carried out only after the stems turn brown. Therefore, pay attention to what kind of orchid is in your home. When you purchase a new flower, be sure to check with the seller for the specific name of the plant. If the seller is experienced, he himself can advise when and how it will be necessary to cut your beauty.

Required Tools

For trimming, you will need special tools. Purchase for this procedure garden pruner. Thanks to it, you can carefully cut the stem without injuring the plant. Of course, you can also use regular scissors or a knife. But remember, they can damage the leaves, and this will adversely affect the well-being and development of the flower.

When to transplant begonias

Garden lighting - all the rules
There are quite a few lighting options and each gives its own effect. The most common - lighting the facades of buildings, lighting before.

Abramtsevo bouquet
In the year of the 170th anniversary of I.E. Repin Museum-Reserve "Abramtsevo" held an unusual musical and floral celebration.

Begonia- This is one of the most common indoor plants. This flower is very loved by flower growers, it is a real decoration of any home. Now more than a thousand species of these beautiful plants are known. Begonia came to our homes from the hot tropics and subtropics, this plant grows in Africa, Asia, but there are especially many of them in Central America. Breeders worked with begonias for a long time and unusually fruitfully.

A bit of botany

Begonias are a genus of plants that is part of the family of the same name. These are herbaceous plants (annual or perennial), as well as shrubs and semi-shrubs. Plants have asymmetrical leaves, with a strongly indented leaf plate, a wide variety of colors and shades.

The history of the distribution of the plant. To Europe this gorgeous flower hit at the end XVII century. An expedition to the Antilles led by the Frenchman Michel Begon discovered the most beautiful flowers there, which were brought to France. It was named after the organizer of the scientific expedition.

After that, new discoveries rained down as if from a cornucopia: a little later, ever-flowering begonia was discovered in the New World, royal begonia was discovered, and in the jungle South America tuberous begonia was found. Begonias can be divided into plants with beautiful flowers and decorative foliage. Decorative leafy begonia usually has large leaves of a very beautiful shape.

Growing features

Begonia is one of the most common and affordable plants, they can be easily purchased at any specialized store or grown on your own.

These flowers are very hardy. pets (for which flower growers love them), caring for them is very simple. In addition, these plants are quite resistant to diseases. However, there are certain nuances of growing begonias and caring for them.

Landing methods

Ground condition- this is a very important factor in the successful development of this plant. Begonias do not tolerate too wet soil. This factor must be taken into account when planting a flower.

When planting, you should not choose too large a pot, it should be slightly larger than before.

Take care of suitable drainage, choose the right soil. The pot must have a drainage hole. Suitable soil for begonias resembles soil for another indoor flower- azaleas. Pick up in equal proportions good garden soil, peat, organic fertilizer and sand. If you buy soil in a store, then it is better to choose a substrate based on peat.

Before planting, thoroughly wet the soil and let it dry a little for several hours.

Optimal landing time

Planting a flower is best done in autumn or mid-spring. It usually takes about five weeks for the plant to adapt.

First of all, you should pay attention to the importance of its placement in the room. Lighting and temperature depend on this, they are very important for the normal well-being of the flower.

Begonia loves bright lighting but does not tolerate direct sunlight. Indoor begonia grows well on the east and west side, in winter it can be moved to the south side.

Air humidity

Begonias come from regions with high humidity. Owners of this beautiful flower it is important to remember this fact. The problem is that in winter in our apartments the air is usually overdried by batteries. central heating. Therefore, do not place a flower next to a central heating radiator - begonias will definitely not like dry and hot air. In addition, you should humidify the air with a humidifier or a simple sprayer.

Temperature regime

The optimal temperature for begonias are: in winter - 18-23 ° C, and in summer - 20-25 ° C. Home flower begonia does not tolerate temperatures as low as 15 ° C.

Begonia should be watered when the soil has dried out a couple of centimeters deep. For watering, use soft and well-settled water. In the warm season, water the plant abundantly, but it is advisable to drain the water from the pan.

In hot weather, begonias can be watered daily.

Winter care. How does the plant overwinter?

Winter care for home begonia is quite simple: the plant hibernates, it should not be disturbed often. Watering should be reduced to a minimum.

If your begonia grows in the ground, you need to wait until the aerial part of the plant dies off, and then carefully remove the tuber. Clean it up and dry it. Then the tubers are placed in wooden boxes, covered with sand and left for the winter at a temperature of at least 10 ° C and high humidity(60%). Usually this is a basement or cellar. It is impossible to water the tubers, they should be periodically inspected for damage to fungal diseases. If a disease is detected, its focus must be removed.

Flower nutrition and fertilizer

The soil for the plant can be prepared independently. It is necessary to pour a little river sand into the pot, add humus to the top half and fill it with a mixture of black soil and peat (1: 1).

Begonias need mineral supplements, especially for plants living in old soil. To do this, once a week, a solution of mineral fertilizer must be applied to the pot. In winter, begonias do not fertilize, with the exception of ever-flowering species. These members of the family need feeding. It is better to exclude nitrogenous fertilizers, which negatively affect the development of flowers, and replace them with phosphorus ones.

In order for the begonia to retain its attractive appearance, it is necessary to prune the plant. If this is not done, then the flower stretches, the leaves become smaller, flowering stops.

However, this procedure is not necessary for all types of plants. For example, domestic tuberous begonias do not need pruning. Bushy begonias are pruned quite seriously, as they grow extremely quickly, the top is plucked in ampelous varieties, and thick-stemmed plants are pruned only if the flower is very old.

Trimming methods

When the flower reaches a height of seven centimeters, it is necessary to cut off its top. So you can achieve the formation of a more lush bush. After the side shoots reach a length of 10-12 centimeters, it is also desirable to cut off their tops. After these manipulations, you will get a beautiful and lush begonia bush.

Another purpose of pruning is to remove damaged leaves, they greatly spoil the appearance of the flower, and can become a "gateway" for infections.

Transplantation is carried out around the middle of spring, even before the start of active growth. To determine that your flower needs a transplant, you can by the appearance of its roots. If they filled the pot completely, then it's time to arrange a housewarming party for your green pet. It is often not worth transplanting begonias: its root system is quite fragile, it is easy to damage it when transplanting. In addition, immediately after transplanting into a new pot, begonia will not bloom: the plant needs time to adapt.

A flower should be transplanted into a container slightly larger than the one in which it grew. Drainage should be laid in the pot, then prepare the soil (see above), carefully move the plant.

Plant propagation methods

Begonia reproduces sexually and vegetative ways breeding. Vegetative way:

propagation by cuttings;
tuber reproduction.

Reproduction by cuttings

Propagation by cuttings is the most convenient way, it is great for indoor flowers. The leaf cutting should be deepened into moist soil or pressed against it. You can just put it in water. The stalk along with the soil should be covered to create high humidity. If you put it in water, make sure that its temperature is slightly above room temperature. After the roots appear, the plant can be transplanted.

Reproduction by tubers

Reproduction by tubers is more suitable for garden begonias. In the spring, before planting, the tuber must be divided. Growth buds should be present on each part of the tuber. After planting, the tubers should be well watered.

sexual reproduction

Begonia can also be propagated by seeds, but it is difficult. Seed propagation is used by breeders to consolidate the traits of a variety.

Bloom. When does begonia bloom?

Begonia blooms very brightly, colorfully and very plentifully. Flowering usually begins in summer and continues until late autumn. There are plant species that can bloom in winter and even year-round. To prolong the flowering period, you should remove the female flowers at the very beginning. Sometimes flowers are removed to achieve more powerful tubers.

The most popular types and varieties

In nature there is a large number of types of begonias. A lot of them now live in our homes and delight us with their beautiful flowers. There are several particularly popular types of these flowers.

Here is their list:

Begonia coral. The upper part of the sheet platinum is silvery, with green streaks. The bottom of the leaf is red. The plant lives for about five years.
Collar begonia. This popular plant came to us from Mexico. Collared begonia has large, heavily cut leaves covered with a reddish fluff. The stem has the same coating. Flowers are pale Pink colour, form a beautiful brush. They usually bloom in winter.
A very beautiful and very unpretentious plant is Bauer's begonia. This plant has a very large and beautiful bush. This begonia is quite demanding on lighting.
Tiger begonia. This flower will easily decorate any interior. The plant has heart-shaped bright green leaves with dark spots on the veins.
Begonia Cleopatra. It has round leaves of dark green color, needs high humidity.
Begonia Lucerne. A typical representative of decorative leafy begonias. The leaves of the plant are very large, bright green, elongated, with a glossy sheen. The upper part of the platinum sheet is densely covered with silvery dots.
Begonia yellow. This flower belongs to the tuberous begonias and pleases its owners with beautiful inflorescences of various colors. There is a terry and non-terry form of yellow begonia inflorescences. There are a large number of varieties of this flower: begonia red, white, yellow with a pink border.

The following species are very attractive and very common: Mason's begonia, ampelous begonia, deciduous begonia and the most beautiful Black Queen begonia. It should also be added that a large number of excellent hybrids of these flowers have been bred (for example, begonia Elatior). There are begonias that are more suitable for open ground (for example, garden begonia).

Diseases

The most common diseases of these flowers are fungal diseases.

powdery mildew occurs due to excessive soil moisture, with frequent moisture on the stem and leaves of the plant. It is easy to notice it: first, it forms on the leaves white coating, which very soon affects the entire plant.

To heal a flower, it should be sprayed with a special solution: 20 grams tar soap and 2 grams blue vitriol dissolve in warm water. In addition, you should stop pouring begonias, they do not like this.

Gray rot. Detecting this disease is also simple: on the top sheet plate a grayish coating appears. This fungus is also well treated with a soap-vitriol solution.

spider mite;
scab.

Aphid leads to deformation of the shoots and twisting of the leaves. Sticky insect secretions appear on the leaf plate. To get rid of them, you should treat the plant with laundry soap.

When infected spider mite on the bottom of the leaf you can see thin threads that look like cobwebs. Treat the flower with soapy water and wash it in the shower after a while.

Shchitovka leads to the appearance of pale spots on the leaves, which are easily scraped off with a fingernail.

In summer, it is better to water the plants in the morning, before the peak temperature. So you can protect the begonia leaves from burns.

Do not place the flower near heaters or central heating radiators. Begonia does not like dry and hot air.

Humidify the air regularly during the heating season.

Do not splash water on the flowers of a flowering plant.

Most Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the plant not blooming?

The main reason for the lack of flowers is the too large pot in which the plant is transplanted. Also, the flower may not have enough light.

Why do leaves dry and turn yellow?

Drying of the leaves is most often the cause of too dry air or lack of light. Brown leaf edges may be the result of sunburn.

Is begonia poisonous?

Begonias contain salt oxalic acid, which can cause burns to the oral cavity and digestive organs. Especially a lot of these substances in tubers.

We can say that begonia is really dangerous for children and cats.

Begonia elatior home care: Reproduction, Pruning

This decorative flowering begonia variety was bred in 1883 by an English gardener. Begonia Elatior is a hybrid of tuberous and Socotrans begonias, which is characterized by abundant flowering bright colors not only in summer, but also in winter.

Description and varieties

Begonia Elatior is a low shrub with a fleshy stem that grows up to 40-45 cm in height. The leaves have a dense structure and resemble the shape of a heart with carved edges. Outer side The leaves are dark green in color, the shade is lighter below and there is no glossy sheen.

Flowering is abundant, with proper care it can last for 9 months, usually begonia begins to bloom in early summer and fades when winter ends. The flower can be of any color, from white to dark crimson. Quite large, up to 5-6 cm in diameter, resembles a rose. Several flowers form inflorescences on long stems.

Begonia Elatior divided into varieties:

Begonia Elatior varieties photo

Hybrid Elatior Borias - especially popular due to the beautiful two-color flowers, which are simple and double, pink and white. This variety of begonia blooms profusely for several months and does not require complex care.
Elatior Baladin - has flowers of a bright color, which can be white, pink or red. Peduncles are up to 30 cm long, there are always a large number of buds, it can exceed 70 pieces on one bush. It differs in that it does not tolerate touching with hands and reacts with dark spots on the flowers.
Annabelle is a begonia with yellow flowers, more often they are terry, suitable not only for indoor cultivation, can be planted in open ground.
Azotus - characterized by large double pink flowers, suitable only for indoor cultivation.
Bellona - this variety of begonia Elatior has bright flowers red color on hanging peduncles, not used for outdoor cultivation.
Kyoto - this variety blooms with double white flowers of large size, flowering can only be achieved in indoor growing conditions.
Renaissance - bushes grow up to 60 cm, usually planted in large outdoor flowerpots. The flowers are double, have a corrugated edge and a bright red saturated color.

Home care

Begonia Elatior It is considered an unpretentious plant, but there are some nuances in the care. At home, lighting, air humidity and compliance with the irrigation regime are important for the well-being of the flower and abundant flowering.

Begonia Elatior care photo

Begonia is a light-loving flower, the best option is to place it on the windowsills of the eastern and western windows. But she needs bright diffused light. Direct sunlight will cause leaf and flower burns, which will begin to darken, dry, and the plant may become sick.

If there is no choice and the begonia can only be placed on the south side, it must be shaded from the bright sun. Good lighting is required for a plant for long and abundant flowering. With a lack of light, the flowers will be small, pale in color, and flowering will be short and scarce.

For reference! The peculiarity of Elatior begonia is that in winter period it does not require additional lighting, this plant has enough natural daylight hours.

Temperature

Begonia Elatior demanding on temperature conditions, for optimal growing conditions it is best suited room temperature. This will ensure abundant flowering and plant growth.

Lower temperatures will contribute to stunting, dropping leaves and buds, as well as the development of various diseases. Root or stem rot affects the plant precisely because of low temperatures and waterlogging of the soil.

Attention! Begonia does not tolerate drafts and sudden temperature changes. If the room is ventilated, the flower should be protected from the flow of cold air.

Humidity and watering

To begonia elatior felt comfortable, watering should be regular and moderate. Excess moisture has a detrimental effect on the condition of the plant; in the case of begonia, it is better to dry it out. Waterlogging of the soil in a pot should not be allowed, the root system will begin to rot, and the plant may die.

The humidity of the air, on the contrary, should be maximum, in order to achieve this, it is recommended to place containers with water around, and put the begonia itself in a tray with wet pebbles. Water can only be sprayed indoors, moisture should not get on the plant, this can cause infection by pests or diseases.

Top dressing is recommended to be carried out with mineral fertilizers no more than once a week. Fertilizers are applied in liquid form under the root of the plant after preliminary watering. You can buy them in a specialized store and apply according to the instructions.

reproduction

This type of begonia can be propagated in several ways:

begonia Elatior propagation by cuttings photo

Cuttings - for this, large-sized leaves are selected and planted in prepared moistened soil. The soil can be purchased at the store or prepared independently by mixing three parts of sand and one part of peat. Small containers with leaves should be placed in a dark place until young shoots appear. Usually it takes 1.5 - 2 months. For rooting, cuttings of at least 5 cm are suitable, it is also necessary to ensure that the planted leaf does not touch the ground. This will help prevent the seedling from rotting.
The division of the stem is not much different from the first method of reproduction. The mother bush is divided into cuttings 7 cm long and immediately planted in the prepared substrate. Cuttings are best done in early spring, when the plant begins active growth. To get guaranteed rooting of the cutting, you can first put it in water until the roots appear, and then transplant it into a separate pot using begonia soil.
seeds begonia Elatior can also be propagated, but this method takes a lot of time. It suits only one species - Charisma, the rest do not produce seeds that can be used for propagation.

After young shoots appear, the plant is placed in a lighted place. Watering is carried out in the same way as for an adult plant.

Rest period care

In order for the plant not to become exhausted during the winter and not to grow old after the growing season, it needs to provide a dormant period. For this you need:

reduce watering, reducing its frequency to once a week;
top dressing is stopped three weeks before the dormant period;
air temperature should not exceed 18 0 С.

At the very beginning of spring, you need to prune begonias Elatior, cutting the stems so that the cuttings are no shorter than 7 cm. They can be used to propagate the plant by rooting in the substrate and putting it in a dark place.

Important! This type of begonia has a short life cycle, only 2-3 years.

How to trim and pinch

Pruning is done to give the bush an aesthetic appearance and lush flowering. After pruning, the flower bush gives young shoots, thus forming a voluminous crown. Pruning is carried out as follows:

Pruning and pinching begonia Elatior

all tools must be disinfected, scissors cannot be used, they can injure the stem of the plant, it is recommended to use a sharp knife;
cut off the elongated shoots by 7-8 cm;
apical shoots are also cut off, thus preserving the shape of the bush;
watering is reduced until young leaves appear;
if pruning is carried out before the winter period, the stems can be left no more than 2-3 cm;
when pruning a diseased plant, all damaged leaves and cuttings must be removed.

Pinching is carried out in spring and autumn. For the first time, the upper leaves must be pinched when the plant grows 7 cm to give the desired shape. Begonia will begin to bush, then, upon reaching 12 cm in length, its tops are again pinched both at the top and on the sides.

If the pinching was not done in time, and the plant has grown into a shapeless bush, it is necessary to prune.

begonia pruning

Begonia is a wonderful plant that can be grown at home, on the balcony and in the garden. Many novice flower growers do not know how to properly prune begonias - a procedure without which it is impossible to grow a flower.

Why prune begonias?

As soon as begonias appear in your house, you need to start pinching and pruning. Why are these procedures performed?

conservation correct proportions between the root system and the crown;

How to cut?

Begonias grow quickly, experienced flower growers know that the stems of the plant are rapidly stretching, and if they are not cut off in a timely manner, the leaves will become smaller, flowering will stop, and the lush attractive appearance will disappear.

Features of pruning different varieties of begonias

Begonias of all varieties need careful care, it is important to get rid of dry and damaged leaves in a timely manner, otherwise they can lead to plant disease. Pruning of begonias is carried out depending on the variety of the plant: the royal rex and all its hybrids can not be cut at all, thick-bodied adults are rarely shortened and only if necessary, the tops are regularly cut off in ampelous ones, this stimulates the awakening and growth of lateral shoots. Flower growers cut bush begonias strongly, choosing places above the outer bud, usually pruning is carried out often, this plant variety is drawn out very quickly.

It is necessary to prune the begonia as the shoots grow, to prevent strong stretching of the branches and a decrease in the exchange of leaves. As soon as you have acquired a begonia, try to immediately form a beautiful crown, in the future it is enough just to remove excess branches and leaves.

How to prune begonia?

There are more than two thousand varieties of begonias in the world, some of which delight with bright, beautiful large flowers, while others fascinate with their unusually elegant leaves.

Depending on the variety, the begonia will thrive indoors on the windowsill, or in the garden, adapting to weather conditions.

Begonia is unpretentious, it does not need to create special conditions, it is resistant to diseases and pests, but it requires care.

Despite the simplicity of the procedure, even experienced flower growers may not know how to prune begonias.

First you need to decide on the desired shape of the plant, it can be spherical, bushy or pyramidal.

The shape of the flower is given as soon as the stem is about 10 cm long. Then you need to wait for the shoots to grow on the sides of the begonia and also prun them.

Begonia is very easy to injure, therefore, to trim the bush, you need to prepare a sharp knife in advance.

To protect the cut stems from decay and speed up their healing, fresh cuts must be processed, for this you can use ash or coal.

Not all begonias are the same, so you should know how to trim a begonia depending on its type.

Some varieties of begonias do not need pruning. Thick varieties can not be touched at all, it is only necessary to occasionally shorten their top as the stem grows. Ampelous begonias need to be shortened to activate the growth of side shoots.

Begonia care is not difficult even for a beginner grower. Give her quite a bit of attention and she will delight you with her beauty.

Begonia. Species and varieties

Begonia was discovered by the French botanist Charles Plumier, who took part in a scientific expedition organized by Michel Begon in 1687 in the Antilles. In honor of Begon, this plant got its name.

Now there are more than 2000 types of begonias. All types of begonias are divided into 3 groups:

- tuberous begonia (propagated by tubers);

- leaf begonia (has a thickened root, which is used for reproduction);

- bush begonia (propagated by apical shoots and seeds).

Begonia is also divided into subshrubs, shrubs and herbaceous plants. For growing at home, hybrid varieties are most often used, which in turn are divided into decorative-flowering and decorative-deciduous.

The most popular types of flower growers are tuberous, decorative flowering begonias. They have beautiful, large flowers. various shades: from white, pink to red. Most types of begonias bloom all summer, but when favorable conditions are created for them, they can please with their beautiful flowers in autumn and even in winter.

Indoor begonia, home care

Indoor begonia is the most unpretentious plant and resistant to various diseases of indoor plants. Caring for it at home will not cause much trouble, but still, it must be competent so that your indoor plant develops correctly and has a beautiful well-groomed appearance.

Begonia flower is a heat-loving plant, and the temperature for it must be maintained within + 15 + 20 ° С, and in winter - not lower than + 15 ° С. But do not put it near the battery and electric heaters.

The lighting should be bright, but without bright sunlight, so in the summer the flower should be shaded.

Watering and spraying

In spring and summer, begonias require abundant watering, but the plant should not be flooded, as it does not like stagnant water. In winter, water the flower should be moderate. When watering, it is necessary to avoid getting water on the begonia leaves, otherwise brown spots form on them. Soft, settled water should be used.

High-humidity air is required for full-fledged care of begonia, but it is not recommended to spray the plant. Most the best option is to place pots of begonias on a tray of wet peat or moss.

Begonia, reproduction at home

Propagation of begonias at home, depending on the species, can be done by leaf or tuber cuttings.

Reproduction of tuberous begonia must be done as follows. In autumn it is necessary to take out the tubers, clean them from the ground, cut off the stems and store in sand (peat), at a temperature of +8 +10 ° C. In February, the tubers are planted in moist soil.

Watering should be moderate. It will take several weeks for the seedlings to germinate. As soon as shoots appear, the tubers should be cut into pieces, cut into sections charcoal and dry.

Divided tubers are planted in small boxes, while deepening the tubers only by half. After 20-25 days, they can be planted in pots with a mixture of peat, leaf humus and put in a bright place. During active growth, young begonias should be fed with organic fertilizers.

Leaf cuttings are best done in the spring. For propagation by a leaf cutting, it is necessary to cut a leaf at the very base of the begonia stem, at least 5 cm long. Bury the cutting in the prepared soil carefully so that the leaf does not come into contact with the soil, which must be well moistened after planting.

If for planting you use not a leaf, but a stem cutting, then its length should be more than 7 cm. It is necessary to plant the cuttings as quickly as possible so that the cut does not have time to dry.

Begonia transplant

A begonia transplant is needed annually, it is better to do this in early spring. If transplanted less often, then the leaves of begonias, located in a cramped pot, begin to turn pale and lose their decorative effect.

For transplanting, you must first pick up a pot. When using a plastic pot, it will be necessary to lay out a layer of expanded clay on the bottom, which absorbs excess moisture well. And pour shells or coarse sand over the expanded clay to make the pot more stable.

You can also use a ceramic pot, which does not allow waterlogging and passes air well. But here it must be borne in mind that over time, the roots will occupy all the space inside the pot and begin to grow to its walls. When transplanting from such a pot, the roots will be severely damaged.

The land during transplantation should not be either damp or excessively dry. The plant should be carefully removed from the pot, remove the earth and place it for 10-15 minutes in a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Then carefully inspect the roots, cutting off small tangled or large rotten roots and sprinkle the cut points with charcoal.

The soil for begonias should be nutritious and slightly acidic. It is better to use a mixture of peat, leaf and sod land for begonias, while you can add a little coniferous land and coarse sand. It is advisable to cut the plant after transplantation so that it recovers faster and grows. The transplanted plant should be sprayed daily and watered as soon as the top layer of the earth begins to dry out. It is also recommended to hold the begonia for several days in the shade.

Growing begonias from seeds

It is best to start growing begonias from seeds in early January. To do this, you can use boxes with a sifted mixture of peat, leafy soil and sand. Moisten the soil for disinfection with a 0.1% solution of potassium permanganate. Crops are best kept under glass and evenly moistened with heated water.

Keep such boxes with plants should be on the windowsill so that the plants have enough sunlight. When shoots appear after 2 weeks, the glasses are removed. Plants should be dived at the stage of appearance of 2-3 leaves. A month later, conduct a second pick. In early May, young plants will need to be planted in separate pots. See video for details.

Peculiarities home care behind the begonia

From spring to mid-autumn, it is necessary to feed the begonia with liquid complex fertilizers for ornamental plants.

After the plant has faded, without cutting off the roots and stems, it should be dried by placing it in a dark place. Within a month, all the nutrients in the stems and roots will go to the tuber. It is necessary to dig out the formed tuber about two weeks after the ground part of the plant has completely died off.

In winter, the tubers are placed in boxes with sand. The temperature in the room where the tubers are stored should not exceed +15°C. So that the tubers do not dry out, they must be watered periodically.

Indoor begonia and its diseases

Why is the begonia not blooming?

If the begonia does not bloom, then the reason for this may be that it was transplanted into a pot that is too spacious. Therefore, when transplanting, it is important to consider that the new pot in diameter should be no more than 2 cm wider than the old one. In order for the begonia to bloom more magnificently, wilted flowers should be carefully removed, as they interfere with the development of new buds. A flowering plant should be fed regularly.

Why do begonia leaves dry?

With insufficient soil or air moisture, the leaves of the begonia begin to dry, and the flowers and buds fall off. Irrigation system urgently needed. If the leaves become pale or turn yellow, then this indicates a lack of light for the flower. The appearance of brown edges on the leaves indicates dry air or sunlight on the begonia.

Overwatering a plant can cause gray rot, in this case, a light mold appears on the leaves. The affected parts must be removed, the plant itself must be treated with a fungicide.

In the presence of drafts, dry air or temperature changes, a white coating may form on the leaves - powdery mildew. In this case, the plant should be treated with ground sulfur or sprayed with a 1% solution of colloidal sulfur.

Of the pests, begonias are most often attacked by spider mites or aphids. They should be dealt with by spraying the underside of the leaf with tobacco soap solutions. Or you can treat the begonia with preparations containing feverfew or an insecticide.

What to look for when buying a begonia

When buying a begonia, it should be carefully examined so as not to acquire a plant with a "bouquet" of diseases or pests. Pay attention to the healthy and bright color of the leaves, their normal turgor, lack of plaque and dry spots.

look short video how to grow begonias from seeds.

How to care for begonia at home

A bit of botany

The history of the distribution of the plant. This magnificent flower came to Europe at the end of the 17th century. An expedition to the Antilles led by the Frenchman Michel Begon discovered the most beautiful flowers there, which were brought to France. It was named after the organizer of the scientific expedition.

After that, new discoveries rained down as if from a cornucopia: a little later, ever-flowering begonia was discovered in the New World, royal begonia was discovered, and tuberous begonia was found in the jungles of South America. Begonias can be divided into plants with beautiful flowers and decorative foliage. Decorative leafy begonia usually has large leaves of a very beautiful shape.