Begonia Elatior: How to Care for the Plant at Home

Begonia Elatior is a popular houseplant that captivates with the beauty of its blooms against the backdrop of its perfectly shaped, glossy leaves. This hybrid variety is known for its fussiness when it comes to growing conditions. It's important to thoroughly understand how to properly care for your Elatior to ensure it thrives and produces beautiful flowers.

History of growing Elatior begonia and its characteristics

This variety of begonia is a hybrid obtained by crossing the Socotran and tuberous varieties, with which the plant is often confused.

There are superstitions that begonias bring well-being and prosperity to the home. Furthermore, the flower absorbs all negative energy that enters the home from outside, brought in by strangers and objects.

According to popular belief, begonias are of great significance for those involved in business. The flower not only instills confidence in its owner but also improves intuitive abilities and intuition. The plant can help avoid bad deals and setbacks at work. The blooming of begonias signifies business success and prosperity.

Begonias can also be helpful in love affairs, making it easy to find your soulmate. A red-flowered plant is recommended for the bedroom—it will help eliminate any quarrels in a relationship and improve the partners' sex life. A sudden bloom of the plant foretells an upcoming addition to the family. White and pink begonias are best placed in the hallway to improve the aura and relationships within the family.

Characteristics of begonia and species diversity

Elatior begonias belong to the genus Begonia. They are widely grown hybrids, also known as winter begonias. This variety is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows up to 40 cm in height. The stem is thick and fleshy, with alternately arranged leaves.

Each leaf reaches 10 cm in length and is heart-shaped, with wavy edges and a long petiole that attaches it to the stem. The upper surface of the leaf is bright green and glossy, while the underside is light green, has a rough, matte surface, and prominent veins.

The bright and abundant blooms of begonias look stunning against the glossy, rich green leaves. The flowers reach 6 cm in diameter, and the buds themselves are gathered in lush clusters on tall stalks, making them easily visible above the leaf surface. The plant begins blooming in mid-autumn or early winter and continues for six months.

All varieties of this begonia are classified by stem height. There are tall, medium, and low-growing varieties. Tall varieties reach 40 cm or more in height, medium-growing varieties average 30-35 cm, and low-growing varieties reach 20-25 cm.

Tall varieties

One of the most popular varieties is Schwabenland, which differs from other species with its small red buds and lush inflorescences.

The Renaissance variety is impossible to miss thanks to its large, lush, double leaves of orange-red color with wavy edges.

The flowers of the Louise variety attract attention with their large beige flowers with a pink tint.

Medium-sized

The medium-sized Annebell variety captivates with its semi-double pink blooms.

The Goldfinger variety has large, lush, double flowers in delicate shades, most often beige-pink.

Bellona deserves attention thanks to its large, double red buds.

Short stature

The low-growing Piccora variety stands out from the others thanks to its bright pink double inflorescences.

Rosa, unlike the previous one, has dark pink flowers.

The flowers of the Scharlach variety have a rich orange color with a red tint.

Growing and caring for begonias at home

Growing begonias is a painstaking and labor-intensive process, and the flowers are quite demanding in terms of care. Even the slightest changes in conditions can cause slower growth and disease.

Soil

Easy access to air and water is essential for begonias. A drainage layer of small pebbles is always placed at the bottom of the pot. Furthermore, the substrate should be nutritious and contain all organic matter. Ready-made begonia soil is available.

Watering and fertilizing

Begonias shouldn't be overwatered. The main rule for growing these flowers is to allow the substrate time to dry out. Experts recommend watering when the surface layer is completely dry, which can be determined by inserting a toothpick into the soil. Stagnant water in the pot or constantly wet soil can cause root and aerial parts to rot, leading to the death of the plant.

During the cold season, reduce watering. Watering should be done exclusively with filtered water, as tap water is too hard. Also, in the spring and summer, mist the plant with a small amount of warm water in the evening.

Experts do not recommend using fertilizers high in nitrogen, as it promotes water retention in the already fleshy stem, which quickly leads to flower rot. In addition to the stem, other parts of the plant also suffer. Leaf petioles also become waterlogged and brittle, while buds and leaves become dull and lose their elasticity.

The plant is prone to rot. Therefore, it's best to use mineral fertilizers. This plant requires fertilizing once a week during the active growth and flowering period. The standard single dose of fertilizer, as stated on the packaging, should be divided by two, as the plant is very sensitive to the effects of fertilizer.

Light and temperature

One of the characteristics of begonias is that direct sunlight negatively impacts plant growth. Exposure to direct sunlight outdoors will quickly cause sunburn on leaves and petals. Direct sunlight can also cause petals to shrink, resulting in smaller inflorescences.

For this reason, the light should be diffused. Experts recommend placing begonias on windowsills facing west and east. In summer, placing them outdoors is not recommended due to excessive sunlight.

Begonias are heat-loving plants, so they should be kept at temperatures no lower than 18-20 degrees Celsius. Furthermore, it's not recommended to place the pot in drafts or cool areas. Low temperatures and sudden temperature fluctuations can cause stem and root rot, as well as leaf drop.

Diseases, pests and their control

The most common begonia diseases are those directly related to improper care. These include rot and fungal infections, which appear as rough or scaly patches of fungus or rot of varying colors. These diseases occur when there is excessive water in both the soil and the air. Low temperatures can also trigger them.

Flower drop, blackening, and drying leaf edges may indicate underwatering or drought. Begonias also often develop leaf burns due to prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. To treat these diseases, it's necessary to optimize growing conditions and treat fungi with fungicides.

The most common pests are spider mites, aphids, and mealybugs. They can be controlled with insecticides, as well as mechanically treating the leaves and damaged areas with a cotton swab soaked in dichlorvos. Additionally, before treatment, damaged plant parts must be cut off and treated with crushed charcoal.

Home care for Begonia Elatior

In addition to care at home, it is necessary to be able to provide proper care during the plant's adaptation period to a new location, during rest periods, and in winter.

After purchase

First, while still in the store, inspect the flower for damage and the presence of pests and diseases, as sometimes diseased or infected plants may be sold. At home, choose a location for the flower and provide it with all the necessary growing conditions.

This will resolve immediately after adaptation. For the first few days, the plant doesn't need to be watered or repotted.

After flowering

After flowering, experts recommend pruning the inflorescences first. Fertilizing should also be stopped. Begonias stop blooming in mid- to late summer and enter a dormant period. During this time, you should also reduce watering and allow the plant to recover.

In winter

During the winter, not only the frequency of watering but also the amount of water given are significantly reduced. The plant is not fertilized during the winter. It does not require additional lighting. During the winter, careful monitoring of the temperature is essential, as the plant does not tolerate temperature fluctuations or cold air currents.

Before winter, prune the plant and leave cuttings 7-10 cm long to prevent the flower from losing its shape. In late winter and early spring, before the active growth period, it is recommended to add growth stimulants to the substrate to promote abundant flowering.

How to propagate and transplant a flower at home

In order for a plant to bloom and grow abundantly, it is necessary to know how to replant it correctly, select a pot, and propagate it.

Choosing a pot

First, consider the pot size. For young seedlings, it should be 8-10 cm tall, and for each subsequent repotting, its size should increase by a third. This will prevent the container from being too large, which could lead to root rot. The pot should also have several drainage holes. The pot can be any shape.

Transfer

First, prepare a new pot for repotting. The container should be thoroughly washed in hot water. Ceramic pots should be treated with boiling water and soaked for a day. A layer of charcoal should be placed on the bottom of the container, followed by a few centimeters of drainage material.

The begonia should be watered generously and left for an hour. After this, carefully remove the plant from the pot and inspect it for damage. Damaged parts should be cut off, and the root system can be treated with potassium permanganate to prevent the growth of microorganisms.

Place the plant in a new pot and cover it with potting soil. The top layer should be loosened to increase air permeability. The plant's crown should not be below the soil surface.

Reproduction

Begonias are propagated by leaf or stem cuttings. To do this, cut 10-12 cm of the stem or simply pluck a leaf.

Root the young plant in water with a few tablets of activated charcoal added to prevent microbial contamination. Keep the cutting in the same conditions as the mature plant. The rooted young plant is planted in a pot up to 10 cm high.

Frequently Asked Questions

Elatior begonia reviews with photos

Valeria:"I recently bought an Elatior variety and am very pleased; the flower is truly beautiful. I bought it when it was already fully grown, but in poor condition—the plant was completely infested with fungus. I thought I'd never be able to cure it, but someone recommended Zircon. This product is used to treat and prevent fungal and bacterial diseases. The photo shows my begonia a few months after recovery."

Karina: "I used to have a begonia of this variety, but when I went on a business trip, my husband wasn't watching closely enough and it dried out. Now I bought it again, and I'm very happy with it. However, when I got home from the store, I noticed it was overwatered, so I immediately placed the pot on a napkin to remove excess moisture. Overall, I'm very pleased with the plant."

Begonia Elatior is a common ornamental hybrid. The plant is quite demanding in terms of care and requires a lot of attention and constant maintenance.